American Revolution

13 Colonies New England Middle Colonies Southern Colonies Subsistence farming Middle Colonies “Holy Experiment” William Penn-Quakers Southern Colonies Indentured servants  slaves Agriculture=Tobacco, cotton

Colonies and England Colonies used for economic gain for Great Britain Mercantilism When a country exports more than it imports British Parliament did not really interfere in the legislatures (governments) of American colonies- period of salutary neglect

American Culture Both the Enlightenment and the Great Awakening emphasized individualism which led American colonists to lean toward political independence Both events brought colonists together shared experiences

French and Indian War Colonists and British vs. French and Indians Colonists and British come out victorious French sent out of North America and Britain left with massive debt

French and Indian War (Cont.) Britain begins to enforce taxes and add more taxes to Colonists “share the burden of the empire” Colonists think taxes are unfair and want representation in Parliament Revolutionary activity begins…..

Regulated/Taxed Proclamation of 1763 Britain tells the Colonists they can’t move west of the Appalachian Mountains Britain begins to enforce taxes in the colonies Stamp Act, Sugar Act, etc.

“No taxation without Representation!” Colonists say they want to be represented in Parliament in Britain if they were going to pay taxes “No taxation without Representation!” Pennsylvania Journal and Advertiser sarcastically suggests affixing this stamp to imported goods

Tensions Heighten! British troops never left colonies after French Indian War Boston Massacre- 1770- British troops/civilians get into fight 5 colonists dead, anti-British propaganda

Britain repealed all taxes except…tea tax Tea Act- British want monopoly on tea-1773 Boston Tea Party Lexington & Concord (1775)- British and colonists get into a “fight” 1st “battle” of the revolution, unclear who fired first

Colonists Unite! The Continental Congress Formed by colonists to counteract British actions George Washington voted commander of the army Declaration of Independence- written by Thomas Jefferson

War! Continental Army formed British Army French backed Patriots ($) Patriots, Minutemen British Army -Redcoats or Loyalists French backed Patriots ($)

Reasons for American victory Geography advantage (home) Desire to win Unconventional fighting methods General Cornwallis (British) forced to surrender at Yorktown in 1781

Treaty of Paris signed in 1783 Recognized independence of American colonies (United States of America)

Ruling a New Nation Articles of Confederation- nation’s “first constitution” Didn’t work too much power to states Constitution- federal system- power shared between the national gov’t and the states gov’ts Bill of Rights- first 10 Amendments in Constitution Freedom of religion, speech, press, petition, and assembly, etc.

Summary Conflict Political Outcome Constitutional monarchy vs. rights of colonial assemblies Political Outcome American Revolution New American Republic

Long-Term Outcomes Related Documents Spread of democratic ideals 1st successful revolution from “mother country” Related Documents Declaration of Independence United States Constitution

American Revolution = Political Change Goal of colonists to achieve political independence in the colonies It worked! AMERICA!!!