Road to Revolution

French-Indian War The war (between the British and the French) ended with a British victory in 1763  It had no direct link to the American Revolution, but did indirectly lead to the war

How had the British treated the Colonies before the war? How did that change after the war and why?

How did that change after the war and why? Who was right, the Americans or the British?

How the British tried to get more money out of the colonies Sugar Act (1764):   Quartering Act (1765): Stamp Act (1765):

Colonial Response Led to many protests Patrick Henry: “No Taxation Without Representation!” Sons of Liberty: Activists willing to do whatever was necessary to protest what they thought was wrong (might be considered terrorists today) Non-importation Agreements: Boycotts of British goods—one of most effective protest methods King George III: Finally repealed Stamp Act making him temporarily popular; Later continued new taxes and restrictions and became the symbol of the Colonists’ anger

More British Acts Declaratory Act (1766): Townshend Acts (1766):   Townshend Acts (1766):   -Writs of Assistance:

Boston Massacre (1768):   Tea Act (1773): -Led to the Boston Tea Party

Coercive (Intolerable) Acts: British reaction to continued American protesting, especially the Boston Tea Party 1. Closed Boston Harbor: 2. Revoked Massachusetts Charter:

3. New Quartering Act: 4. Trials of British soldiers for Boston Massacre:

British or American? Despite the anger over the new taxes and restrictions and feeling helpless to do anything about it, most Colonists still considered themselves loyal British citizens who wanted to work things out. Pay attention to the dates—the first acts and restrictions passed by the British were as early as 1764, twelve years before independence was finally declared.

First Continental Congress met in 1774 to decide how to protect Colonies from further tyranny—What would you have recommended?

What did the Congress actually decide to do?

Lexington and Concord (1775): British heard Americans were storing ammunition and supplies in case there was a revolution, so they raided the two locations -Lexington: British won easily   -Concord: Colonists actually forced British to retreat

Significance of the battles: 1. 2.

Second Continental Congress (1775): All thirteen Colonies attended (rare)   Selected George Washington to lead Army (showed they were at least beginning to prepare for war)

Battle of Bunker Hill (1775): Americans attacked site where British weapons and supplies were being stored; Americans did very well but were forced to fall back when they ran out of gunpowder   Again blood was spilled before independence was declared

Significance of battle:  

Common Sense, Thomas Paine (1776):   Main arguments: Britain needed America more than America needed Britain; America was fully capable of being an independent nation; Seemed silly that a small nation like Britain should rule such a large colony Significance:

Declaration of Independence (1776)   Formally cut ties with Britain and ended all hope of a peaceful settlement Listed reasons for Revolution to unify American public opinion (not everyone wanted to go to war) and gain international support