The American Revolution

Mercanitlism Economic theory that bases a nations wealth on the amount of gold and bullion in its treasury Raw materials were exported from colonies in order for the mother country to make a profit Each nation tried to have more goods coming in than going out. This was called a “favorable balance of trade.”

French and Indian War A struggle between the British and the French. Colonists fought for the British, while the Native Americans fought for the French. The British won, receiving all lands east of the Mississippi River, except new Orleans. Colonists were not allowed to settle the land they helped win. Colonists were taxed to pay the war cost.

Acts of Parliament Taxes Currency Act: prohibited American colonist from issuing their own currency Quartering Act: required the colonist to provide shelter and supplies to British troops Stamp Act: required stamps to be purchased and placed on newspapers, almanacs, pamphlets, legal documents, and playing cards Townshend Act: taxes on glass, lead, paint, paper, and tea Tea act: permitted the British East India Tea Comp. to sell tea at a lower price than colonial tea companies

Boston Tea Party (No Taxation with out Representation) A protest against the Tea Act of 1773. The Tea Act let the British East India Tea Company bypass tea merchants and sell directly to colonist Colonist dressed as Indians and dumped British tea into Boston harbor

Boston Massacre March 5, 1770 Encounter between British troops and citizens of Boston Patriots antagonized British troops, who were quartered in Boston to discourage demonstrations against the Townshend Acts. British troops fired on the Patriots,killing 5 people Colonist were tired of being ruled by King George.

The Declaration of Independence July 4, 1776 Written by Thomas Jefferson Signed by the Continental Congress.

The War Begins Lexington and Concord, April 1777 British attempt to capture Samuel Adams and weapons stockpile around Concord The colonists are warned by Paul Revere and 40 other riders that “British are coming” 4,000 colonial “militia men” exchange fire with British troops along the main road Concord and Lexington is considered the beginning of the American Revolution

American Strengths The colonists are fighting for independence Strong military leaders like George Washington France will aide the colonies with weapons, supplies and their navy

American Weaknesses The colonists are not a trained army Colonists enlist for months instead of years Short on money, weapons and supplies to fight a war

British Strengths The British have an experienced professional army Outnumber the Continental Army The British army is well supplied with equipment and weapons

British Weaknesses The British are not fighting for a cause British officers are careless and poor leaders The British have to cross the Atlantic Ocean to send men and supplies for the war.

The Strategy of War Vs. American Colonies Britain Keep the Colonial Army together Washington seeks to stretch the British army away from supply lines Harass the enemy, defeat the British in a major battle Get allies to help win! Britain Seeks to destroy the Colonial Army Regain control of the colonies by region Take the fight to the Colonial Army using European war tactics Use loyalists support against the colonies

The Battle of Saratoga, August- October 1777 Saratoga is considered the turning point of the war because the Americans win their first major battle The French will now help the Americans by supplying arms, men and their navy.

The Battle of Yorktown, October 1781 The French are helping the Continental Army with men, weapons and warships The Americans and the French will corner the British on a small peninsula and bombard them with cannon fire. The British will surrender and end the American Revolution. The colonists will win the American Revolution with this victory.

The Treaty of Paris, 1783 THE WAR ENDS WITH THE TREATY OF PARIS “free, sovereign and independent states” British must remove all troops from forts Boundary for United States is the Mississippi River Loyalist would have rights and property protected captured slaves must be returned to owners

American Revolution Poster Directions: Create a foldable on the following key terms and events. Include the definition and explanations of each item listed below. French & Indian War, Mercantilism, Currency Act, Quartering Act, Stamp Act, Townshend Act, Tea Act, Battle of Saratoga, Battle of Yorktown, Treaty of Paris.