 The United Kingdom of Great Britain came into existence in 1707 so the term British came to refer to both the English and the Scots.  Last Stuart ruler replaced by Hanoverians dynasty. The first kings name George could not speak English so had to have advisors to help rule.  Robert Walpole served as head of cabinet (Prime Minister). Britain controlled Canada as well as the thirteen colonies in America.

 After the 7 years War, British leaders wanted to get new revenues from the colonies.  Parliament imposed Stamp Act requiring certain printed materials to carry a stamp. Led to violence and eventual repeal of the act. Led to a series of actions and reactions from each side.  Colonies organized the First Continental Congress to take up arms and organize militias, Fighting broke out in Lexington and Concord.  Second Continental Congress took place and George Washington served as its commander in chief.  July 4, 1776 approved the Declaration of Independence written by Thomas Jefferson.

 Great importance to the colonies was support from foreign countries. They were eager to gain revenge for earlier defeats at hands of British.  French were the first to give USA recognition followed by Dutch and Spain.  General Cornwallis was forced to surrender at Yorktown.  Treaty of Paris 1783 recognized the independence of the American colonies. The treaty also granted the Americans control of the western territory from the Appalachians to the Mississippi River.

 Feared strong central government so Articles of Confederation created a government that lacked the power to deal with the nations problems.  Met in Philadelphia to write a plan for a better government.

 Created a federal government in which the national government and the state governments shared power.  3 branches with checks and balances.  Legislative  Executive  Judicial

 As promised during negotiations over ratification, the new Congress proposed 12 amendments to the Constitution.  The state approved 10 of the amendments. Became known as the Bill of Rights.  Guaranteed basic freedoms to people. Many of the rights were derived from the natural rights proposed by the philosophers.  American Revolution seen as the embodiment of the Enlightenment political dreams. The premises of the Enlightenment seemed confirmed. A new age and a better world could be achieved.

 First Continental Congress in September 1774 met where?  Philadelphia  The first American constitution was what?  Articles of Confederation  The first constitution gave the national government too little what?  Power  The three branches of the national government were what?

 Judicial  Executive  Legislative  Sharing of power between national and state governments  Federal Government  The second continental congress approved what?  The Declaration of Independence

 Fighting between the colonies and the British army in 1775 started where?  Lexington and Concord  British tax on certain printed materials  Stamp Act  The union of England and Scotland in 1707 created what country  The United Kingdom of Great Britain

 Final surrender of the British army in 1781  Yorktown  The first 10 amendments of the Constitution  Bill of Rights