Chapter 2 Section 2 Mr. Plude

American Independence After the French and Indian War (7 years war) , The colonists rebelled against British attempts to assert control over the colonies New British taxes to pay for the war

American Independence In 1775 the Second Continental Congress called for the writing of a formal Declaration of Independence.

American Independence Early Attempts at Unity 1643: New England Confederation formed to defend against threats from Native Americans and Dutch colonies

American Independence Early Attempts at Unity 1854-1763: French and Indian War spurred new drive toward unity in the colonies

American Independence 1754: Great Britain urged signing of treaty with Iroquois Confederation

Proposed by Ben Franklin Supported by Great Britain Albany Plan of Union Proposed by Ben Franklin Supported by Great Britain Treaty with Iroquois Nation Control colonial trade Raise colonial army Build settlements Build and equip fleet

American Independence Growing Tensions Mid-1700s: colonists used to handling affairs without interference from British 1760: King George III began to tighten control over colonies

American Independence Growing Tensions Most colonists viewed selves as loyal subjects of British Crown

American Independence Growing Tensions Parliament - colonies had become too independent Levied taxes to pay for French and Indian War

American Independence Changes in British Policies Taxes to pay war debts Colonies to offset cost of war Justified paying for defense of colonies

American Independence Changes in British Policies Enforced trade restrictions benefiting Britain, including series of taxes Colonists - “Taxation without Representation”

American Independence The Stamp Act Congress 1765: Stamp Act: Parliament’s first attempt to tax colonists directly Required tax stamp on paper goods such as legal documents, newspapers, playing cards

American Independence The Stamp Act Congress Colonists protested 1765 - delegates from 9 colonies sent protest Power to tax should remain with colonial assemblies. 1766: Stamp Act repealed

American Independence Colonial Protests Protests resulted in increased troop presence Boston Massacre brawl that turned bloody Rallying point for Colonists

American Independence Colonial Protests 1773: Boston Tea Party protest American tea trade given to one British company.

American Independence Intolerable Acts 1774: laws ending all forms of self-rule in Massachusetts.

American Independence Compromise Colonists wanted compromise to roll back taxes. Virginia and Massachusetts assemblies called for meeting of colonies in Philadelphia.

American Independence First Continental Congress 1774: First Continental Congress Passed Declaration and Resolves Demanded repeal of Intolerable Acts.

American Independence First Continental Congress 1775: British rejected demands British troops clashed with colonial militia Lexington and Concord first armed resistance colonists.

American Independence Second Continental Congress 1775: Second Continental Congress Organized Continental Army Named George Washington commander Revolutionary War begins as colonists sought independence from Britain

American Independence Common Sense of Democracy 1776: The Common Sense pamphlet argued case for break with England. Thomas Paine: independence was the only “common sense” for colonists Saw history of world hanging on outcome of colonies’ rebellion

American Independence Declaration of Independence Armed conflict continued for months before independence officially declared June 7, 1776: resolution proposed for independence Passed July 2 Signed July 4

American Independence Declaration of Independence Committee appointed to write formal statement justifying resolution Thomas Jefferson wrote most of document, drawing on Virginia Declaration of Rights

American Independence Declaration of Independence Virginia declaration declared “all men are by nature equally free and independent and have certain inherent rights” that cannot be denied. From John Locke that people have rights to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness”

American Independence Declaration of Independence Echoed ideal of social contract based on consent of the people July 4, 1776: Declaration of Independence was adopted. Britain’s thirteen colonies ceased to exist as new nation emerged.

American Independence By 1780, 13 states had adopted its own written constitution. Each tested ideas about how to design a republican government that protected individual rights.

American Independence Self-Government Established republican governments Strong legislatures with elected representatives. Protected Individual rights Voting rights varied by state

American Independence Self-Government Examples of right to vote Adult male taxpayers Property qualifications New Jersey allowed women to vote (ended 1807

American Independence Separation of Powers Three branches of government: legislative, executive, judicial States had real power to govern.

American Independence Separation of Powers Powers included conducting foreign affairs, declaring war Most legislatures had two houses. Some elected governors and judges.

American Independence Limited Government Strong legislative bodies reflected general mistrust of monarchy. Colonists did not grant unlimited power to legislatures.

American Independence Limited Government Annual elections, term limits, separation of powers Governors kept deliberately weak, limited terms (fear of monarchy)

American Independence Individual Rights Protecting people’s rights seen as way to protect from excesses of government 1780: Massachusetts constitution included bill of rights to protect individual liberties. Liberties included trial by jury, freedom of assembly, and speech.