1. The American Revolution

2. “Common Sense”  Written by an immigrant named Thomas Paine.  Pamphlet called the Americans to declare their independence from Britain.  Seen as the beginning scene in the American Revolution.

3. 13 English Colonies  Cities such as Boston, New York, and Philadelphia were part of England’s growing empire.  England controlled colonial trade throughout the world, though smuggling was rampant.  Colonist felt entitled to the rights of English citizens.

4. Growing Discontent  British treasury was drained due to the Seven Years War and the French and Indian War.  The British believe that the Americans should pay for their own security.  They began to enforce the neglected trade laws on colonial trade.

5. Taxes  Navigation Act- Restricted the use of foreign ships in colonial trade.  Sugar Act- Tax on sugar and Molasses.  Stamp Act- Tax on Newspaper and legal documents.  Tea Act- Only could by the British tea.

6.  Quartering Act- Forced Americans to house British Soldiers in their homes.  Currency Act- Regulated the money that was printed in the colonies.

7. The Aftermath  The colonist saw the taxes as attacks on their rights.  “No taxation without representation.”  The British did repeal a couple taxes but made sure they had complete power.

8. Early Clashes  Boston Tea Party- Dumped all the British tea into Boston Harbor.  Boston Massacre- Death of five protestors by British soldiers.

9. Declaring Independence  Continental Congress was formed to talk about the colonial unfairness.  Thomas Jefferson carefully rights down all the grievances from the colonies called the Declaration of Independence.

10. American Revolution  One third of the colonist were loyalist, agree with the British.  Americans were not trained and had very little money to pay soldiers.  Battled on their home soil.

11. Battles  Lexington and Concord- First two battles. Split in between the two sides.  Trenton- American Victory  Saratoga- American Victory and afterwards France, Spain, and Dutch join Americans.

12. Americans Win!!  British Surrender at the battle of Yorktown.  Treaty of Paris- British, American, and French delegates sign the treaty to end the war.

13. A New Constitution  1787- Constitution was created the new country.  The Constitution was based off of Enlightenment Ideas.  Bill of Rights- First ten amendments.  Federal republic- Split power between federal and states governments.