Warm up Name 3 documents that influenced the colonists in regards to government.
Declaring Independence
“We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately” - Benjamin Franklin July 4, 1776
Britain’s Colonial Policies before 1760 For the first 100 + years after Jamestown the colonies were loosely governed by Britain. The King was too far away and the legislatures were able to use money to control appointed governors. The colonies were not taxed very much. For the most part the colonies did what they wanted and ignored regulations set by Parliament.
King George III King George 1760 King George begins to be more strict or firm with the colonies. New trade regulations were created and actually enforced. New taxes were imposed and enforced
Taxation Without Representation Colonists had no representation in the English Parliament Parliament created taxes such as the: Stamp Act Sugar Act The colonists became angry at this and began to use the mantra “no taxation without representation” In time the colonists had to make a choice to either pay the taxes and submit to the king or rebel against the king.
Colonial Unity New England Confederation - First time settlement united in common cause to defend themselves against Native Americans. The Albany Plan - Meeting between northern colonies to discuss colonial trade and defense against Native Americans and French Albany Plan of Union - Written by Benjamin Franklin. Suggested that a congress of delegates from each of the 13 colonies meet once a year.
Colonial Unity The colonist began to boycott English goods and refused to pay taxes like the Stamp Act. Boston Massacre - 1770 Committees of Correspondence started with Samuel Adams created a network for colonist to organize and exchange information. Boston Tea Party - 1773
1st Continental Congress In 1774 Parliament passed the “Intolerable Acts” to punish the colonist for events in Boston. The colonies decided to meet with delegates from every colony (except Georgia). September 5, 1774 the 1st Continental Congress was held. Outcome of 1st Continental Congress: To send King George a Declaration of Rights Called for all colonies to refuse all trade with England until taxes and regulations were repealed. Planned to meet again within a year
2nd Continental Congress British government rejected the Declaration of Rights and even increased regulations as a result. War breaks out with Shot heard around the world; Lexington and Concord. The 2nd Continental Congress begin to meet on May 10, 1775 Delegates from all 13 colonies present. John Hancock chosen as President of the Congress while George Washington was named General
2nd Continental Congress Because war had broken out the 2nd Continental Congress became first national government. Articles of Confederation Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman, Robert Livingston and Thomas Jefferson were selected to write a Declaration of Independence from Britain Outcome: Colonies decide to Declare Independence Happy Independence Day Ya'll!
The Declaration of Independence and Thomas Jefferson Thomas Jefferson is considered to be the main author of the Declaration of Independence Thomas Jefferson was greatly influenced by John Locke and put many of his philosophies into the Declaration of Independence The Declaration of Independence was written as a list of grievances against King George as well as to inspire the colonists to fight.