1. British Laws and Colonial Reaction

2. New Policies Include:
Proclamation Act of 1763 = don’t go over the Appalachian Mountains
More gov’t officials & troops
New trade & tax laws (1763 – 1765):
Writs of Assistance – British can search all homes and ships
Sugar Act
Stamp Act – stamp on all printed materials

3. Effects of New Laws and Changes
Many Americans in disagreement about what to do (lack of unity).
Americans Protest!!!
Speeches/writings
Stamp Act Congress – Stamp Act is repealed
Boycotts – of British goods
Rebel groups formed (Sons of Liberty)

4. Stamp Act Protest

5. Effect of American Protests on British Policy?
Br. Make some concessions, but continue to exert authority
Stamp Act repealed (hooray!!!)
Declaratory Act is passed (boo…hiss!!!)
Townshend Acts (1767) passed
Tax everyday goods: lead, glass, paint and paper

6. Br. Response to the Building Resistance?
Repeal the Townshend Acts (yeahhh!!!)
Station more troops in Boston (boooo!!!)
March 1770: Boston Massacre
Impact?
Form Committees of Correspondence, Pamphlets, meetings, newspapers

7. Engraving: Paul Revere

8. Sons of Liberty Cartoon

9. Boston Tea Party

10. The Boston Tea Party American Response to 1773 Tea Act
Br. Response: Coercive Acts
Closed Port of Boston
Disband Mass. Colonial Legislature
Station more troops in Boston
American response: First Continental Congress meets in Philadelphia

12. The First Continental Congress

13. 1st Continental Congress
September 5, 1774 – October 26, 1774 in Philadelphia.
All colonies were represented, but Georgia.
Leading delegates
George Washington
Patrick Henry (from?)
John Jay (from?).
Goals:
determine their response to the Intolerable Acts,
discuss how to assert their rights and English subjects
wanted to be united in their response
Issue “Declaration of American Rights”
IT WAS NOT THEIR GOAL TO DISCUSS OR GAIN INDEPENDENCE FROM ENGLAND!

14. America in April 1775 Divided
Loyalists – stay with Britain, laws are not so bad
Patriots – want independences, can not take oppression
“Fence-Sitters” - undecided

15. Lexington and Concord

16. Lexington April 18,1775 the British troops move out of Boston.
Headed towards a stockpile of weapons in Concord
Paul Revere rides on horseback to warn colonists that the British are coming.
700 British soldiers arrive at Lexington where there are 70 armed minutemen waiting for them.
Colonists refuse to move or surrender, shots are fired.
Eight Americans are dead, ten are wounded.

17. Concord The British burn the stockpile of colonial weapons.
The British turn to head back to Boston and are ambushed by 4,000 patriots along the road.
By the time the British reach Boston, 70 soldiers are dead, 170 are wounded.
THE WAR IS UNDERWAY!

18. “New England colonies are in a state of rebellion…blows must decide whether they are to be subject to this country or independent.”
- King George III to Parliament

19. I Love the Constitution
Constitution Day!!!
I Love the Constitution

20. Important Documents “Common Sense” – Jan. 1776
Written by Thomas Paine
Make economic sense for Americans to separate from Britain
45 page pamphlet
Written in simple language
Everyday people can read an understand it
Convinces many “fence sitters” to believe in independence
Declaration of Independence – 7/4/1776
Written by T. Jefferson
U.S. is independent (still have to fight a war to prove it)
Gives reasons why U.S. declared independence
Free to deal with other nations as they see fit
Will inspire independence movements throughout Americas

21. 2nd Continental Congress
2nd Continental Congress - body of representatives from the 13 colonies:
Met from May 10, 1775 to March 1, 1781.
adopted the Dec. of Ind. and the Articles of Confederation
acted as the national government of the U.S. by
raising armies
directing strategy
appointing diplomats
making formal treaties during the Rev.

22. Important Figures/Groups
George Washington – commander of the Continental Army
Lord Charles Cornwallis – leader of the British Army
Marquis de Lafayette – General from France who helps the colonial forces.

23. British Advantages/Disadvantages
Well equipped army
Disciplined
Trained
Strong Navy
Help from Loyalists, slaves, and Native Americans
Hessian soldiers
Disadvantages
Low morale in Britain
Charged taxes to pay for war
Fighting in America
Old fashion tactics

24. American Advantages/Disadvantages
Lacked supplies
Lacked a stable fighting force (deserters)
Poorly trained
Advantages
Fighting on own land
Familiar with British tactics because of the French and Indian War
Eventually the French help

25. The War
The U.S. struggles due to lack of supplies, money, and the blockade.
U.S. wins few battles but never surrenders or stops fighting.
Important Battles
Lexington and Concord = 1st shots of the Revolution
Saratoga – Turning point of Revolution
Yorktown – Final battle

26. Battle of Yorktown
Lafayette moves his American forces north as Washington moves his South from NY.
They trap Cornwallis and his men in Virginia.
French Navy blocks the British Navy and any idea of escape.
Cornwallis surrenders his force to the Washington and his army on Oct. 19, 1781.
Treaty of Paris – 1783, ends the war and Britain recognizes the U.S.