{ Revolutions World History World History

 after an American Indian uprising the British barred colonists from settling west of the Appalachians.  1764 sugar act- put a tax on all sugar being transported back to Britain  1765 stamp act- all documents (mortgages, wills, etc) need to have a special stamp on it  This was another way for Britain to obtain more money from their colonies Causes of the American Revoultion

 King George III was the king of Britain  Lord North was the prime minister (King George III went through 6 prime ministers in 8 years. Lord North was one that carried out his policies  Lord North positioned more and more soldiers in the colonies and the people felt threatened by this. Causes of the American Revolution

 Many colonist was screaming “taxation without representation”  Britain did not allow any people from the colonies to participate in government and so any decision that concerned the colonies were made by people who not only did not live there, but could not fully understand what was going on  Britain was disgusted by this response because they felt that the colonies were there to benefit them and so they decided to so them who is boss Causes of the American Revolution

 1770 Boston Massacre  1773 Boston Tea Party Causes of the American Revolution

 Boston Port Act, which closed the port of Boston until the price of the dumped tea was recovered, moved the capital of Massachusetts to Salem, and made Marblehead the official port of entry for the Massachusetts colony.  Massachusetts Bay Regulating Act made all law officers subject to appointment by the royal governor and banned all town meetings that didn't have approval of the royal governor Causes of the American Revolution

 Impartial Administration of Justice Act, which allowed the royal governor of a colony to move trials to other colonies or even to England if he feared that juries in those colonies wouldn't judge a case fairly  Quartering Act, which allowed royal troops to stay in houses or empty buildings if barracks were not available Causes of the American Revolution

 Quebec Act, which granted civil government and religious freedom to Catholics living in Quebec. Causes of the American Revolution

 First shots fired at Lexington and Concord Now colonist and colonies were forced to make a choice join or not. If join then who should they join and why? (Britain or the colonist) Causes of the American Revolution

 1775 the Second Continental Congress met in Philadelphia. Many hoped to avoid conflict, but after they heard that shots were fired at Lexington and Concord, their attitudes quickly changed. Early part of the American Revolution

 July 4, 1776 the Declaration of Independence was adopted.  Primary author- Thomas Jefferson  It declared that all men were created equal and have the right to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” (you can see influences of enlightenment authors such as John Locke in the text) Declaration of Independence

 Even though it says “all men are created equal” it did not pertain to African Americans  The first draft did away with slavery, but it did not carry over because southern delegates said it invaded their rights as property owners  Women was not mentioned either in the declaration Declaration of Independence

 The Declaration stated that all powers of government come from the people. It said that no government can exist without the consent of its citizens and that government is created to protect individual rights. If a government fails to protect these rights, the Declaration said, the people may alter or abolish it and set up a new government. Declaration of Independence

 Britain hired professional solders, while the colonist were made up a few war vets, but usually farmers who had zero experience in war at all. (Hessians- German mercenaries)  Only advantage for the colonist was that it was fought in their territory  Britain had all the experience and the colonist were not united at first Early part of the American Revolution

 British soldiers were called lobster backs or red coats  They were instructed not to shoot until they saw the white of their eyes (why was this a rule)  1/3 of people in the colonist were patriots (defenders of the cause)  1/3 of the people were loyalist (supporters of Britain)  1/3 was neutral Early part of American Revolution

 The weakness of the American government was a serious problem.  The colonies sent representatives to the Continental Congress voluntarily and any thing passes had to be unanimously.  They talked about the critical issues and the purchase of weapons and equipment, food supplies for the army, the appointment of officers, and campaign plans.

 Most of the fighting took place between 1776 and 1781  Battle of Saratoga- battle in New York that had the colonists convinced that they had a chance to win the war  Yorktown, Virginia  The last defeat of the British and the war was over

 Benjamin Franklin- chief American negotiator  1783 the treaty of Paris was signed by both Britain and America

 Articles of Confederation- central government, with a one-house Congress in which each state had a single vote. Congress had the authority to declare war and make peace. Congress could also deal with other nations and settle disputes between the states.  The central government was weak under these Articles.  Americans feared a strong central government that could quickly become repressive

 To ensure that Congress did not have all the power, it could not enforce its laws. At least nine of the states had to pass the laws. Congress could not levy taxes or coin money.  The Articles provided for no chief executive and the only courts were states courts.  Americans began to realize that the Articles made it difficult to build and effective and stable government.

 Federal system of government- System of government in which power is divided between a central, or federal government and individual states.  It could declare war, raise armies, and make treaties. It could coin money and regulate trade with foreign countries.

 Executive branch- headed by the president, enforced the laws  Legislative branch- consisting of Congress, made the laws  Judicial branch- consisting of the federal courts, interpreted the laws.

 constitution was signed  constitution was ratified and went into force  Some Americans feared that the constitution did not protect their rights and so as a result the Bill of Rights was added.