1. Toward Independence

2. 1600s & 1700s-British followed the mercantilism policy
Believed this would make the British very wealthy
Wealth would be used to develop industry and navy
America would provide a cheap source of raw materials for the policy

3. British Taxes
King George III wanted to get as much wealth from America as he could
Parliament required the colonies to sell raw materials to Britain at low prices, but buy British products at high prices
Killed colonial business

4. To pay debts from a war with France, Britain levied heavy taxes on the American colonies
1764- Sugar Act passed- tax on sugar, coffee, and other imported goods
1765- Stamp tax passed- tax on all printed materials and legal documents
1777-Townshend Acts- tax on all imports, including a 3 penny tax on tea

5. Resented the taxes, because no representation for the colonists in parliament
Boycotted British goods (Boston Tea Party)
Parliament repealed the tax laws

6. Intolerable Acts
Passed by parliament after they repealed the taxes to show the Americans they were still in control
Shut down Boston Harbor because the colonists refused to pay for the destroyed tea
Restricted colonists rights
-no trial by jury
-allowed British soldiers to search and live in colonists’ homes (Quartering Act)

7. Move towards Independence
Colonial governments banded together to fight the Intolerable Acts

8. First Continental Congress
1774- colonies (except Georgia) sent delegates to Philadelphia
-56 delegates sent a document to King George III
asked for rights of “life, liberty, and property”
Extended the boycott of British goods
Decided to meet again 1 year later if demands went unmet

9. King George refused to the demands
Ordered the military to use force against the colonists
Fight between the soldiers and colonists in Lexington, then, Concord

10. Second Continental Congress
1775- met in Philadelphia
Not all delegates favored independence
1776- more than ½ the delegates favored independence
Committee appointed to write a document that announced America’s independence

11. The Declaration of Independence
Thomas Jefferson wrote the majority
Explanation of why Americans had the right to be independent
Took ideas from Rousseau and John Locke
Argued that Britain did not look out for the the colonists’ interest nor protect their rights

12. Congress approved the Declaration on July 4, 1776
American colonies were now independent states