Revolutionary War Causes Unit 1

Unit KUD KNOW: Things that made the colonists mad at Great Britain Reasons why Britain passed policies/laws for colonists to follow Major “players” in the causes of the Revolutionary War from both the British and Colonists’ side The role John Locke played during the Enlightenment period that influenced the way colonists thought about the responsibility of a government UNDERSTAND: Cause and effect relationship between British policies and Colonist reaction That the French and Indian War created a huge financial burden for the British government That the events of the Revolutionary War can be viewed from multiple perspectives DO Place the causes of the Revolutionary War on a history timeline in the correct spot Argue from either a British or Colonist point of view on any of the causes of the Revolutionary War

Revolution? What is the definition? – A BIG change What was the big change? – From 13 colonies controlled by whom? – To becoming the United States (13 states)

Social Classes Today’s Classes? – Upper, Middle, Lower Colonial Social Classes – Gentry, Middle, No Name, Slaves In Britain it was difficult to move social classes – In the colonies this was DIFFERENT

Great Awakening Renewed focus on religion in the colonies People had started to get greedy – Focused on money more than God Great Awakening led by George Whitefield

Enlightenment New focus on learning Colonists were interested in learning Wrote ideas in newspapers English philosopher John Locke gave colonists new ideas about the role of government

John Locke

“My name is John Locke. I am an English writer. I believe that the purpose of a government is to protect the rights of the people it represents. These basic rights include the right to “life, liberty, and property”. If a ruler or government is not able to protect these rights for the people they represent then that government should be changed.”

Interview with Newspaper and John Locke

Seeds are planted… Locke believed that all governments were supposed to protect people’s natural rights What are the 3 natural rights all people should have? –1. Right to LIFE –2. Right to LIBERTY (Freedom) –3. Right to own PROPERTY

What should happen if any of the 3 basic rights are not protected by the government? The government should be changed!!!

So What??? Colonists began to think about their own government. Who was their government? –Answer: Britain Colonists began to write editorials in newspapers criticizing the government and questioning whether or not it was protecting basic rights Colonists slowly began to think the government needed to be changed

John Locke- Life, Liberty, Property

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