The American Revolution Ms. Silgals’ 5 th Grade Social Studies Class

Trouble in the Colonies Trouble began in 1750s when the French began building forts in the Ohio River valley Both the French and British claimed this land 1754 began the French and Indian War Both sides got help from the Indians 1763 British won, but the war had cost them more money than they could afford

People in Britain did not want to pay extra taxes to support the colonists King George and Parliament decided that the Colonists would pay new taxes Before the colonists had been making their own tax laws In addition, King George told the Colonists that they could not settle the land west of the Appalachians – Proclamation of 1763 – set the land aside for the Indians King George sent soldiers to make sure the colonists followed his orders Taxation without representation

Prior to the French and Indian Wars, the Colonies each had their own legislature White male property owners could vote Each colony had its own governor The Governor made sure the laws were agreeable to the British government at home Colonists were not able to vote in British elections After the war the Governors were given more power Structure of Government in Colonies

The Stirring for Independence 1765 Stamp Act – almost everything written or Printed on paper in the colonies had to have a stamp on it – Taxation without Representation Colonists ordered a boycott – refused to buy British Goods Sons of Liberty were more violent, beating up tax Collectors and destroying their homes October 1765 – Stamp Act Congress in New York asked for extended boycott and it worked! Tax Act was repealed

Trouble continues New laws passed on other goods for taxes: lead, paint paper, glass and tea More soldiers were sent to control the colonists Five Colonists killed in the Boston Massacre – March 5, 1770 Taxes again repealed except for tea 1773 – Tea Act allowed British company to sell tea cheaper than the colonists tea growers Resulted in Boston Tea Party

Trouble continues After the Boston Tea Party, British parliament declared no ships could enter the harbor until the cost of the tea was recovered Also British soldiers were allowed to stay for free in the colonists homes - “Intolerable” was the reply and the act that followed was called the Intolerable Act Continental Congress held in Philadelphia. All colonies were represented except Georgia No more trade until the laws were repealed!

The Decision for Independence Two sides: Loyalists (Support the British) Patriots (Against the British) April 1775 British General Thomas Gage, Governor of MA Heard that the Patriots were storing weapons in Concord 700 soldiers were sent to seize the weapons and arrest the Patriot leaders, John Hancock and Samuel Adams – Famous ride of Paul Revere & William Dawes Shots fired at Lexington and Concord marked the start of the American Revolution

Second Continental Congress Met in Philadelphia in May 1775 Sent letter to King George Formed a Colonial Army just in case George Washington chosen to lead army January 1776 Thomas Paine published Common Sense which called for a revolution and independence June 1776 Continental Congress formed a Committee to write a declaration for independence “These United Colonies are, and of Right ought to Be Free and Independent States.”

War for Independence British advantages: Most colonists had never Been soldiers. No guns, no uniforms, no training and had Help from mercenaries and Indians Americans advantages: Fighting for freedom and on their Own home ground, easy supplies, women fought along with both free and enslaved Africans First major battle: Battle of Bunker Hill June 17, 1775 Battle of Saratoga (1777) was the turning point Yorktown (1781) British ships kept from bringing in soldiers and supplies Treaty of Paris September 3, 1783 ended the war