Who Was Involved? British Troops & Colonists vs. French Troops & Native Americans
Causes Clash over colonial territory Rivalry between British and French colonists
North America in 1750
Tension Rises The French and Indian War in North America (1754) The Seven Years’ War ( )
Results England & the Colonists defeated the French & Indians The Treaty of Paris was signed in 1763 VERY COSTLY WAR!!!
How was Britain Affected? Bitter towards American colonists Defending the colonists = huge debt for us
How were Colonists Affected? New sense of morale Taxed to pay back war debts Dealt with presence of British troops
Sugar Act Raised taxes on non-British goods shipped to the colonies
Quartering Act Required the colonies to provide barracks and supplies to British troops
Stamp Act Taxed newspapers, almanacs, pamphlets, legal documents, dice & playing cards Stamps proved payment
Taxation Without Representation How can you tax us without representation in Parliament?!?! FIGHT BACK! Boycott English goods! Boston Tea Party
Intensified Conflict King George III determined to force obedience Colonists are split: 1/3 = Patriots for independence 1/3 = Loyalists opposed to independence 1/3 did not take sides
Patriots Took Action… First Continental Congress – 1774 Demanded colonists be granted the full rights of British citizens
By 1775 – British troops feel threatened by growing colonial resistance Battles in Lexington and Concord between the British and armed colonists The American Revolution had begun!
Second Continental Congress – May 1775 Prepared for war Delegates meet again in 1776 and vote to declare freedom from Great Britain July 4,1776 – Declaration of Independence adopted