1. Background into American History
Unit 1: Foundations
Background into American History

2. Events leading up to American Revolution
French and Indian War ( )
American colonies and the British against French and their Indian allies—American and British victory.
This war strained the relationship between the colonies and the British because the British thought the colonies should help repay the war debt.
As a result the colonists had a weakened loyalty to Britain.

3. Tax Imposing British government imposed new taxes on the colonists.
All revenue was given to Britain, causing unrest in
the colonies. (Mercantilism)
“Taxation without representation!”
Stamp Act
Tea Tax
Townshend Acts

4. American Revolution
In 1773, protestors disguised as Indians, threw tea off British ships in Boston Harbor.
The British government closed the harbor until the tea was paid for, but in 1775, shots were fired.
At Lexington and Concord, British soldiers and American colonists fired at one another starting the American Revolution.

5. Colonists quickly join in support of Massachusetts.
The Second Continental Congress (members of the thirteen original colonies), agreed that an army would be created.
The army was called the Continental Army, commanded by George Washington from Virginia.
Britain called on Connecticut to help but Governor Jonathan Trumbull, Sr. refused. He was the only colonial governor to side with the colonists.

6. Quick Recap??
What did Britain do to try to pay off war debts after the French and Indian War?
What battle started the American Revolution?
Who was elected to command the Continental Army?

7. Independence
In early 1776, the delegates from the Second Continental Congress decided to declare their independence from Britain.
Thomas Jefferson wrote most the Declaration of Independence.
July 4, 1776 the document was issued.
It explained reasons why the colonists wanted independence from Great Britain.
The Declaration was a theory of government, and should protect unalienable rights.

8. “It’s Too Late” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZfRaWAtBVg
Who was “across the sea?”
What are considered unalienable rights?

9. The U.S. Constitution
The U.S. Constitution became the backbone of government with a specific set of laws.
Colonies began with the Articles of Confederation, but it turned out to be a very weak government.
As a result, American leaders (Constitutional Convention) met in Philadelphia in 1787 to revise the Articles.

10. Lecture Break?
Please get out a sheet of paper and define the seven important principals of the U.S. Constitution on pg. 44 in the Jarrett Book and staple this to the back of your notes. You will have 12 minutes to complete this task.

11. The U.S. Constitution- became the structure for our national government.
Power rested with the people by electing representatives.
National government had many important powers, and federal law ruled over state law.
This document created an elected President, a Congress with two houses, and a Supreme Court.

12. Key Amendments Organizer
Pick ONE partner and complete the Key Amendments of the Bill of Rights graphic organizer (Pgs )
Staple it to the back of your notes.

13. Bill of Rights
Congress assembled to add a Bill of Rights to protect individual liberties.
They include ten rights approved by Congress.
Amendments came into effect in 1791.

14. Reform In America
As America began to change, people in Europe became curious about the country and how it was sustaining its government.
Hector St. John de Crevecoeur- French immigrant who tried to define what it meant to be an American.
Alexis de Tocqueville- was sent to America by the French government examine the prison system; he also wrote Democracy in America.

15. Tocqueville found five values he considered necessary for a constitutional republic:
Equality
Populism-participation of people in politics
Liberty
Individualism
Laissez-Faire- “hands off”

16. U.S. in
Differences in the North and South caused the Civil War ( ).
What were the differences?
Southern states seceded and hoped the Union would follow, but Lincoln refused.
The North had more soldiers and better resources which eventually led to the defeat of the South.

17. Important Amendments
Find what is so important about these amendments and add them to your notes(Pg. 54):
Thirteenth Amendment
Fourteenth Amendment
Fifteenth Amendment

18. Last thing:
This one is done individually. Read the handout called What Rights Do I Value Most and follow the instructions. This is your opinion so have fun with it!