The American Revolution Mrs. Bonifay OCS Social Studies 1

The New World  As we have learned, many people from England (Great Britain) came to live in America.  They came to live in America because they wanted more freedom.  King George ruled the American colonies from 1760 until the Revolution.

Events Leading Up to the Revolutionary War  1765: The Stamp Act  No American representation in Parliament (taxation without representation).  1770: The Boston Massacre (British soldiers killed 5 people in the Boston streets.)  1773: The Tea Tax (The Boston Tea Party) King George punished the people of Boston by closing the Boston Harbor.  1775: The American Revolution began.

Key Strengths & Weaknesses American Strengths:  Had a strong leader in George Washington  Were used to frontier life and using firearms  Had military experience for the French and Indian War  Were fighting for their independence on their own soil

Strengths & Weaknesses American Weaknesses:  Had little money and depended on other countries for supplies  One-third of Americans were British loyalists  Had a weak navy

Strengths & Weaknesses British Strengths:  Had well-trained soldiers, expert leaders, and the finest equipment  Had a powerful navy  Could pay other countries to fight for them  Had help from British loyalists in America

Strengths & Weaknesses British Weaknesses:  Were not used to frontier style of American warfare  Had to fight far from home  Were fighting other wars with France, Spain, and the Netherlands at the same time

The War  Some Americans did not want to fight the British. They were called Loyalists.  The American Revolution lasted 6 years.  General George Washington was the leader of the American army.  French soldiers came to America and helped fight against the British.

The End of the War  The American Revolution ended in  The American colonies and Great Britain signed a peace treaty called the Treaty of Paris on September 3,  After the war, the 13 colonies became the 13 states. They called the new country the United States of America.

What Was Next?  During the war, American leaders had written laws for the United States called the Articles of the Confederation.  In 1787, American leaders decided to write new laws for their new country: The United States Constitution.