THE ROAD TO REVOLUTION

1 The Magna Carta 2. Parliament is Formed 1215 – document that limits the power of the monarch (king or queen) 2. Parliament is Formed 1265 – body of representatives that approve the laws and taxes created by the king

3. The English Bill of Rights 1689 – outlines the rights of citizens → especially the right to petition the king 4. Years of Salutary Neglect Over 100 years of self government, low taxes and favorable trade conditions

Trade Mercantilism Increases the population and wealth in port cities the idea that there is only so much wealth in the world (gold and silver) to accumulate wealth/power countries have to sell more than they buy and be self sufficient in raw materials Increases the population and wealth in port cities Philadelphia, New York City, Boston and Charles Town Results in two main triangular trade systems

Trade Cash Crops Raw Materials Finished goods Slaves

Trade Kept the colonies from selling goods or raw materials to other countries Even if it was a better deal or larger profit The colonies have to produce what the home country wants

5. The French and Indian War 1755 – land given to Britain in the surrender leads to conflict between settlers and Native Americans as well as a large war debt

6. George the III Becomes King 1760 – the new king is described as stupid, proud, stubborn and determined to take charge of the colonies

7. The Proclamation of 1763 1763 – royal mandate that colonists can not move west of the Appalachian Mountains into the backcountry. An increased military presence to enforce the proclamation

8. The Stamp Act 1765 – designed to pay the debt from the French and Indian War. Colonists pay a tax to receive an official stamp on all paper products. Colonists oppose the tax. “No taxation without representation” Later repealed

9. The Quartering Act 1765 – colonists must let British soldiers live in their homes and provide them supplies.

10. The Townshend Acts 1767 – a tax on all finished goods coming from Britain such as glass, paint, paper, tea, etc. Samuel Adams and the Sons of Liberty in Boston with organize a boycott on all goods that spreads throughout the colonies. Later repealed

11. The Boston Massacre 1770 – a mob of Patriots taunting a group of British soldiers is fired upon and 5 colonists are killed.

The etching designed by Paul Revere shows a pro-colonist bias because it shows the trained, organized and ruthless British army shooting into an unarmed, innocent crowd of colonists

12. The Tea Act and Boston Tea Party 1773 – act that taxed tea and gave the British East India Company a monopoly in the colonies. Colonists refused to unload the tea and boycotted the company 50 men dressed as Mohawk Indians dumped 90,000 pounds of tea into the harbor. Nothing else was touched.

The British government (and King George) views the American colonies as out of control and in full rebellion. They send more troops to get things back to normal and fighting breaks out in many colonies. The American Revolution - to become an independent country separate from Britain - has now begun.

13. The Intolerable Acts 1774 – a series of laws passed to punish Massachusetts for the Boston Tea Party. Boston harbor was closed until the tea was paid for The government was under British control, no town meetings Anyone accused of murder would be tried in England Troops occupied Boston.

14. Meeting of the 1st Continental Congress 1774 – delegates from 12 colonies meet to petition King George to repeal the Intolerable Acts. Encourage colonies to form and train militia

15. Battles of Lexington and Concord April 1775 – first military engagement of the Revolutionary War. 700 British regulars were ordered to seize weapon stockpiles at Concord, Mass. Colonial minutemen were warned by Paul Revere and were able to prepare for the attack.

16. Battle of Bunker Hill June 1775 – British regulars dislodge colonial troops from the top of the hill. 1,054 British casualties 450 American casualties

16. Common Sense is published Jan 1776 – pamphlet written by Thomas Paine, a British immigrant outlining a clear argument for freedom from Britain Instant bestseller that helped convince many undecided colonists to join the independence movement

17. Declaration of Independence July 4th 1776 – statement adopted by the 2nd continental congress that proclaimed the 13 colonies a free and independent nation and no longer a part of the British Empire.