1. American Revolution: the Birth of a Republic
Ch 22.4

2. Britain and its American Colonies
1760: George III takes over English throne:
American colonies doing well and were very independent
Had many freedoms

3. Britain and its American Colonies
French & Indian War ends
Britain needed more money
Colonists start being heavily taxed
Anger ensues

4. American Wins Independence
Hostility towards England (why?)
1765: Stamp Act - English tax on all American printed materials
Americans mad because they were getting taxed without having any representatives in Parliament
“No taxation without representation”

5. American Wins Independence
1773: Boston Tea Party led by Samuel Adams
Protested import tax by dumping tea into the Boston Harbor
Sept 1774 – 1st Continental Congress
Representatives from each colony meet to send united protest to England
It’s ignored

6. American Wins Independence
April 19, Lexington & Concord
Gunfire erupted between British and colonists
2nd Continental Congress voted to raise an army
Revolutionary War began

7. American Wins Independence
July 4, 1776:
Thomas Jefferson
Wrote the Declaration of Independence
Based on the ideas of John Locke (natural rights) & the Enlightenment

8. American Wins Independence
Included 3 parts:
What they are doing (declaring independence)
Why they are doing it (grievances against George III)
What they are going to do (now they are independent)

9. American Wins Independence
Reasons for American victory:
Americans’ motivation stronger
British generals overconfident
Time was on Americans’ side (“homefield advantage”)
Americans had help (French)

10. American Wins Independence
1781: British surrender at Yorktown
Trapped by the Americans on land & French at sea
Surrender at Yorktown, VA

11. Americans Create a Republic
A government where citizens rule through representatives
Representatives elected through direct voting

12. Americans Create a Republic
Articles of Confederation:
First set of rules in the new country
Documents were weak. WHY?
No executive or judicial branch (only legislative)
Congress had no power to collect taxes
All states had same vote, despite size

13. A New Constitution 1787: Constitutional Convention
held to create a new constitution
Federal system: power divided between state and national governments
Bill of Rights:
First 10 amendments in the Constitution
Protects basic human rights