Focus Question: Put yourself in the shoes of one our Founding Fathers……. Put yourself in the shoes of one our Founding Fathers……. -Would you be willing to give up everything you have (job, family, money) to fight for belief that you have, knowing if you were caught by the government you would be executed for treason? -Would you be willing to give up everything you have (job, family, money) to fight for belief that you have, knowing if you were caught by the government you would be executed for treason? What is the belief that you would fight for? What is the belief that you would fight for?

The American Revolution

Objective The student will be able to describe the American colonies in the 1700’s as well as what led them to revolt against the British crown----and tie this to the Enlightenment and our current conflict. The student will be able to describe the American colonies in the 1700’s as well as what led them to revolt against the British crown----and tie this to the Enlightenment and our current conflict.

The American Colonies By 1760, there were about 2 million colonists in North America. By 1760, there were about 2 million colonists in North America. -They had developed their OWN identity separate of the English culture. -Each of the 13 colonies had its own local government, currency, industry, and basically independence. -Colonists were not exactly united and had started to call themselves Virginians or Pennsylvanians, etc. depending on where they lived.

Problems Arise Other revolutions such as the English Revolution and the Glorious Revolution in the 1600’s tried to limit the power of the king. Other revolutions such as the English Revolution and the Glorious Revolution in the 1600’s tried to limit the power of the king. To the colonists, he was even more powerful than before. He levied taxes, strict trade laws, and other restrictions. To the colonists, he was even more powerful than before. He levied taxes, strict trade laws, and other restrictions. This turned the minds of colonists towards revolution. This turned the minds of colonists towards revolution.

The Enlightenment Thinkers and their Influence on Revolution Our Founding Fathers read and studied the Enlightenment thinkers. Their ideas and thoughts were constantly in their minds. Our Founding Fathers read and studied the Enlightenment thinkers. Their ideas and thoughts were constantly in their minds. The ideas of The ideas of –Life, liberty, and property –Separation of powers –REASON and its impact on all things –The power of the INDIVIDUAL to make change- Progress!

The American Revolution The cost of the French and Indian War was huge. The British had huge debt and felt that the colonists should pay for it because they were protecting them. This outraged the colonists. The cost of the French and Indian War was huge. The British had huge debt and felt that the colonists should pay for it because they were protecting them. This outraged the colonists. A series of crippling laws and taxes led to a meeting of the 2 nd Continental Congress. A series of crippling laws and taxes led to a meeting of the 2 nd Continental Congress. The meeting focused around defense. After long debate, the 2 nd Continental Congress issued the Declaration of Independence by Thomas Jefferson. The meeting focused around defense. After long debate, the 2 nd Continental Congress issued the Declaration of Independence by Thomas Jefferson. This was a direct attack on King George III. This was a direct attack on King George III.

The Declaration of Independence The majority of the document was influenced by the Enlightenment thinker John Locke. The majority of the document was influenced by the Enlightenment thinker John Locke. He had said years earlier, that the people had the right to rebel against an unfair government and this was a perfect example. He had said years earlier, that the people had the right to rebel against an unfair government and this was a perfect example.

Patriots VS. Redcoats Leaders Leaders George Washington – Continental Army George Washington – Continental Army Charles Cornwallis – British Army Charles Cornwallis – British Army Allies Allies US-France and Spain US-France and Spain Britain-no real allies Britain-no real allies

Advantages/Disadvantages of the Patriots The Patriots were motivated to fight for their independence. The Patriots were motivated to fight for their independence. They knew the land. (hide and seek) They knew the land. (hide and seek) Guerilla warfare-surprise attacks Guerilla warfare-surprise attacks Army not well trained at first. Army not well trained at first. Fighting the most powerful army in the world. Fighting the most powerful army in the world.

Why Britain lost the war and America did not win the war. Poor military planning by the British. Poor military planning by the British. Time=$$$$ - After 7 years of fighting and paying for the war, the British soldiers and people wanted it to end. Time=$$$$ - After 7 years of fighting and paying for the war, the British soldiers and people wanted it to end. The French became American allies after the Battle of Saratoga. The French became American allies after the Battle of Saratoga. Better weapons but not the right weapons. Better weapons but not the right weapons. AMERICA GAINS INDEPENDENCE! AMERICA GAINS INDEPENDENCE!

The New Government Articles of Confederation-1 st government that failed because it was too loose with no strong national leader, currency, and weak authority. Articles of Confederation-1 st government that failed because it was too loose with no strong national leader, currency, and weak authority.

Drafting a Constitution May of 1787-delegates from all 13 states wrote a completely new document that would be called the Constitution. May of 1787-delegates from all 13 states wrote a completely new document that would be called the Constitution. They added: They added: -Checks and Balances -Division of Power -Protection of Individual rights=Bill of Rights and other Amendments. Rights and other Amendments.

The United States of America The founding fathers wanted to protect individual liberties, limit national power and protect us by being able to check the President and the Congress. The founding fathers wanted to protect individual liberties, limit national power and protect us by being able to check the President and the Congress.

With a partner: Write the words monarchy and republic at the top of a page and provide 7 adjectives that describe those words to you. Write the words monarchy and republic at the top of a page and provide 7 adjectives that describe those words to you. monarchy republic monarchy republic

Ticket Out Answer two of the three in complete sentences: 1. Is it a perfect government? What would YOU change and why? 2. Would it be possible for the US to ever have another revolution against our government? Explain. 3. Winston Churchill: “Democracy is not the best form of government in the world, it is simply better than all the rest.” What does he mean?