The American Revolution http://www.history.com/topics/battles-of-lexington-and-concord/videos#american-revolution

Britain and British North America The United Kingdom of Great Britain came into existence in 1707 when the governments of England and Scotland united British refers to both English and Scots British North American colonies were highly populated Though they were supposed to be run by the British government, the colonies had legislatures that tended to act independently

Britain and British North America British North American colonies were highly populated Though they were supposed to be run by the British government, the colonies had legislatures that tended to act independently

Britain and British North America After the Seven Years War, the British government was in debt To fix the problem, the King decided to heavily tax the American colonies

Britain and British North America in 1765, Parliament passed the Stamp Act that required certain printed materials carry a taxed stamp on them opposition was widespread and often violent

Britain and British North America To counteract the actions of Parliament, the colonies organized the First Continental Congress in 1774

Britain and British North America Fighting erupted between colonists and the British army in 1775 in Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts http://www.history.com/topics/battles-of-lexington-and-concord/videos#first-revolutionary-battle-at-lexington--concord

Britain and British North America Soon after, the Second Continental Congress met and formed the Continental Army Named George Washington as commander in chief

Britain and British North America July 4, 1776 the Second Continental Congress approved a declaration of independence Written by Thomas Jefferson The American Revolution had begun Spain and France would later enter the war against Britain

Britain and British North America General Cornwallis of the British army surrendered at Yorktown in 1781, ending the war

Britain and British North America The Treaty of Paris (1783) recognized the independence of the American colonies Also gave Americans control of the western territory from the Appalachians to the Mississippi River

The Birth of a New Nation The 13 colonies were now states, but each one was primarily concerned with its own interests They were not enthusiastic about creating a united nation

The Articles of Confederation approved in 1781 was the first American constitution did not provide for a strong central government lacked the power to deal with the new nation’s problems delegates decided to write a plan for a completely new national government

The Constitution the proposed Constitution created a federal system in which power would be shared between the national government and the state governments the national (federal) government was given the power to levy taxes, raise on army, regulate trade, and create a national currency

The Constitution the federal government was divided into three branches the executive (President) legislative (Congress: House of Representative and the Senate) judicial (Supreme Court)  

Bill of Rights 1789, the new Congress proposed 12 amendments, and the 10 that were approved by the states became known as the Bill of Rights Examples: Freedom of religion Freedom of speech Freedom of press