Early American Government and Revolution

King George III

Colonial Governments By 1733 all 13 colonies had established governments Colonists began to separate themselves from England & rule themselves Mid 1700s – Britain began to tighten control over the colonists under King George III – needed money to pay debts from the French & Indian War Wanted to maintain control of resources & markets Class Discussion: Do you think England had a right to tax the colonists?

The French and Indian War French empire collided w/ British empire Competing over the Ohio River Valley

British Policies that lead to Revolution 1. Mercantilism - Policy of encouraging exports and discouraging imports – pushes imperialism The Navigation Acts of 1660 British Action: Designed to keep trade in England and support mercantilism Colonists could only trade goods with England All colonial ships must stop in a British harbor before going to another country Colonial Response: Ignored them (profitable to trade with other countries) Salutary Neglect (relaxed enforcement for continued loyalty)

British Policies Cont. 2. Taxes Used to pay war debts from the French & Indian War 1765 Stamp Act – tax on virtually everything paper (newspapers, wills, cards, etc) Virtual Representation – colonists had no representation in parliament so argued “no taxation without representation” – British government argued the colonies were a part of the British empire and parliament made laws for the good of the empire therefore the colonists were virtually represented British Policies Cont.

Stamp Act

Colonists began boycotting goods under the Stamp Act until repealed Townshend Acts – 1767 – a tax on all imports “Boston Massacre” in 1770 Tea Act 1773 – led to the Boston Tea Party After the Boston Tea Party, King George III enacted the Coercive Acts – 1774 Colonists called these The Intolerable Acts Restricted colonists rights including fair trial by jury Allowed soldiers to search homes Allowed quartering of soldiers British Policies Cont.

Boston Massacre

Boston Tea Party

Americans divided on two sides Loyalists- colonists who supported the British (Tories) Patriots- colonists who supported freedom from British rule

Declaration of Independence Thomas Jefferson wrote the document America was influenced by the Enlightenment. America became a country during the heart of the Enlightenment. As a result, it was greatly influenced by Enlightened thinkers. The Declaration of Independence as well as the US Constitution with its Bill of Rights would probably not have existed if the Enlightenment had not occurred. 4 parts Preamble – Introduction Declaration of Rights – explained rights that all people should have List of Grievances – all that King George III did to the colonists Formal Declaration of Independence Approved on July 4, 1776

Declaration of Independence

Difficult Choices 1/3 of Americans supported the war 1/3 were indifferent 1/3 were Loyalists African Americans – controversial to allow them to fight – slaves were recruited in the end Native Americans – urged to attack settlers by the British Women – while active in the war, could not participate politically in the new nation.

War’s End Spain entered the war on American side Louis XVI of France did not really care about the American Revolution but entered the war to weaken France’s rival – Britain Surrender at Yorktown, Virginia in October 1781 Treaty of Paris, 1783 – Officially ended the American Revolution

Break Up Letter You are a colonist and are writing a break up letter to King George III (your own Declaration of Independence). Using the causes of the Revolution you just learned about, tell George why your relationship isn’t working out. 1. Give at least 3 reasons 2. Explain why those reasons are leading you to make this decision 3. Your letter should demonstrate that you understand why the colonists declared independence from Great Britain.

Articles Of Confederation Federal system: Power is divided between national and state governments. The Federal government was intentionally made weak under the Articles of Confederation. Could Could not Make laws - Tax Control military - Enforce laws Organize treaties - Regulate trade - Establish national courts - Control money supply

The Articles proved to be too weak for the country and after 10 years the founders realized a stronger central government was needed. Constitution is created – Supreme law of the land. Provides the framework for government in the United States. All powers for each branch of government are in the Constitution. Checks and Balances - The powers of the government are divided into three branches: The system of checks and balances keeps one branch of government from becoming too powerful.

Federalists supported the Constitution. Anti-federalists were those that opposed the Constitution. They felt that too much power was given to the National government. They wanted a bill of rights. The Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution in 1791, protects our civil liberties the freedoms we have to think and act without government interference or fear of unfair treatment The first 10 amendments