American Revolution the beginning

Brief Review – Causes of the Revolutionary War Proclamation of 1763 No representation in Parliament Perception of Boston Massacre Intolerable Acts (such as Quartering Act) ECONOMIC Policies: Mercantilism and Taxes (Sugar Act, Townshend Act, Tea Act, Stamp Act)

Mercantilism Great Britain (England) gained wealth and power through the system of mercantilism. In this system the colonies sent raw materials and resources to Great Britain. Great Britain would use those materials to make products which they would then sell back to the colonies.

Free Enterprise The colonists and future Americans would promote a free enterprise system. In this system, one could find: Freedom of choice Voluntary Exchange Private Property Competition (Supply and Demand) Entrepreneurship Profit

Free Enterprise Benefits: Promotes economic growth Group Talk: What are some of the benefits of this system? Benefits: Promotes economic growth Increased standard of living Promotes individual choice Prices based on supply/demand

First Continental Congress In September of 1774, delegates from 12 of the 13 colonies met in Philadelphia to discuss the increased tension between Britain and the colonies.

First Continental Congress Samuel Adams and John Adams represented Massachusetts; John Jay represented New York; and Peyton Randolph, George Washington, Richard Henry Lee, and Patrick Henry represented Virginia Georgia sent no representatives.

First Continental Congress The delegates discussed various issues involving the colonies’ relationship with Britain. After their debate, they voted on several things: The repeal of 13 British Acts (laws) Boycott British trade Endorsed the Suffolk Resolves (declared Coercive Acts Illegal – nullified them) and called for citizens to arm themselves

Colonial Militias Colonists served in militias to protect their towns and communities. These militias began to make and stockpile ammunition and supplies for anticipated conflict with Britain. Some were known as minutemen.

Massachusetts In the spring of 1775, thousands of British troops were already in and around Boston, MA. The British general, Thomas Gage, ordered that all of Massachusetts’ military supplies be destroyed (artillery and ammunition). Most of their arms were at Concord, a town 20 miles northwest of Boston.

Massachusetts On the evening of April 18, 1775, the British mobilized to take the weapons at Concord. Paul Revere, William Dawes, and Samuel Prescott rode ahead and warned the militias in Lexington and Concord of the British army’s approach.

Lexington and Concord As the British approached Lexington on April 19, they were met by 70 minutemen. The militia was about to retreat when a shot was fired (no one knows by whom) and the war for independence had begun.

Lexington and Concord After an exchange of gunfire at Lexington, 8 minutemen lay dead. The British continued on to Concord and burned the few weapons they found (most were moved). Some of the British encountered a group of minutemen waiting at the North Bridge and another battle ensued.

Lexington and Concord The British took heavy losses and continued to be attacked on their 20 mile march back to Boston. When they finally arrived at Boston, 174 were wounded and 73 were dead.

Other battles Militias from Connecticut and Vermont joined together and took the British Fort Ticonderoga on May 10, 1775. On June 17, 1775, the British attacked the colonists at Breed’s Hill (battle renamed Bunker’s Hill) and suffered heavy losses (1,000 dead), but still forced a colonial retreat.

Patriots v. Loyalists The war forced colonists to decide whether to continue to support England (Loyalists) or support the war and independence (Patriots).

Second Continental Congress The Second Continental Congress met on May 10, 1775 and began governing the colonies: Printed money Set up post offices Committees for Native American relations and foreign countries Established the Continental Army and appointed George Washington it commander

Second Continental Congress After accomplishing these tasks, the delegates of the congress made one last chance attempt to avoid war with Britain (some delegates pointed out that the colonies were already at war) by sending a petition to King George III. The Olive Branch Petition assured the king that the colonies desired peace and asked him to protect their rights. King George III rejected the request and sent more troops to the colonies (including 30,000 German mercenaries).

Washington’s Army Washington realized that the Continental Army lacks discipline and begins training them in the summer of 1775. In March 1776, Washington believed the army is prepared and attacks the British at Boston, forcing their retreat from the city.

Independence Although some colonists still hoped for peace and to remain a part of the British empire, the independence movement was growing. Thomas Paine published a pamphlet in January 1776 entitled “Common Sense” in which he called for complete separation from Great Britain.

Independence There was fierce debate among delegates in the Second Continental Congress about whether to remain under British rule or declare independence. In June, 1776, Richard Henry Lee of Virginia put forth a bold resolution: “Resolved, That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved.”

Independence While the congress debated Lee’s resolution, a committee was tasked with writing a declaration of independence Although John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Robert Livingston, and Roger Sherman were also on the committee, Thomas Jefferson was put in charge of actually writing the document.

Independence Jefferson drew heavily on John Locke’s ideas, especially his political theories concerning life, liberty, and property (pursuit of happiness). The Continental Congress approved Lee’s resolution for independence on July 2, 1776. Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence was approved (with some changes) on July 4, 1776.