The Birth of a Democratic Nation Chapter 2.2 The Birth of a Democratic Nation

Colonial Resistance and Rebellion The British gov’t began to tighten its grip on the American colonies. George III adopted a policy of mercantilism, the theory that a country should sell more goods to other countries than it buys. Britain wanted to buy American raw materials at low prices and sell colonists British products at high prices.

continued Britain won land in North America from France in the French and Indian War. To pay off war debts and cover the costs of ruling the new lands, Britain taxed the colonists. Colonists resented the taxes. They had no representatives in Parliament - “No taxation without representation.”

continued In protest, many colonists decided to boycott, or refuse to buy, British goods. As a result, Parliament agreed to repeal, or cancel, the Stamp Tax and other taxes. However, Parliament soon replaced them with new taxes. Parliament’s Declaratory Act stated that it had the right to tax and make decisions for the colonies. The Townshend Acts taxed needed goods imported to the colonies. The colonists again boycotted.

continued The Tea Act allowed the British East India Company to bypass colonial merchants and sell tea directly to shopkeepers at low prices. In response, colonists blocked all the company’s ships from colonial ports, except in Boston. There colonists dressed as Native Americans dumped the British tea into Boston Harbor. Parliament responded with the Coercive Acts, which restricted colonists’ rights.

Movement Toward Independence The colonies sent delegates, or representatives, to a meeting in Philadelphia known as the First Continental Congress. They demanded that King George III restore their rights. The king responded with force.

continued The Revolutionary War began with battles at Lexington and Concord. Colonists started to question their loyalty to Britain. They began talking about independence, or self reliance and freedom from outside control.

continued At the Second Continental Congress, some delegates wanted independence. Others still felt loyal to Britain. Thomas Paine’s pamphlet Common Sense swayed public opinion toward independence. Finally, the Second Continental Congress agreed.

The Declaration of Independence The Declaration of Independence, written mostly by Thomas Jefferson, explained why the U.S. should be a free nation. It argued that the British gov’t did not look after the interests of the colonists. It listed many abuses by the king.

continued The Declaration said that the purpose of gov’t is to protect the rights of the people. Gov’t is based on the consent of the people. If it disregards their rights or their will, the people are entitled to change or overthrow it.

continued These ideas were influenced by philosopher John Locke. He saw gov’t as a contract between the people and the rulers. The people agree to give up some freedoms and abide by gov’t decisions. In return, the gov’t promises to protect them and their liberty. If it misuses its power, the people should rebel.

continued The Second Continental Congress approved the Declaration on July 4th, 1776. True freedom arrived when Britain officially recognized the U.S. at the war’s end.