The Revolutionary War

Events leading to war The French and Indian War England helped the colonists fight on the frontier Expensive England wanted the colonies to help pay

Events leading to war A number of tax acts were passed including: The Stamp Act All legal documents and newspapers required a tax stamp

Events leading to war The Sugar Act A tax on molasses The Tea Act A tax on tea

Events leading to war Colonists under the leadership of men such as Sam Adams formed “Committees of Correspondence” Organized to assist communication between communities Goal was to maintain their freedoms

Events leading to war Other groups that organized to oppose British policy Sons of Liberty Minutemen Ready in a “minute’s notice”

Events leading to war Boston Massacre Riot started by boys taunting soldiers Soldiers fired on the crowd Five people died including African- American, Crispus Attucks John Adams defended the soldiers involved Word went around the colonies, fanning the fires of revolution

Events leading to war Boston Tea Party Individuals dressed as “Indians” boarded tea ships in Boston Harbor and dumped the tea overboard

Events leading to war Britain reacted by passing the Coercive or Intolerable Acts, including: Closed the port until tea paid for Banned meetings Ended elected government

Events leading to war And the Quartering Act which required colonists to feed and house soldiers Opposed in part because it was believed it was being used to control committee members

Events leading to war Massachusetts was not the only place revolution was fomenting Philadelphia First Continental Congress Met to decide what to do about the Intolerable Acts

Events leading to war Virginia – House of Burgesses Patrick Henry “Give me Liberty or give me Death!”

Events leading to war People could be divided into two basic groups Loyalists Supported the crown Patriots Supporters of independence from Britain

Events leading to War First battle Lexington and Concord Called the “shot heard ‘round the world” April 19, 1775

Events leading to war Declaration of Independence Based on the ideas of John Locke and Thomas Paine Written mostly by Thomas Jefferson Asserts that people have rights that cannot be taken away