1. The American Revolution

2. Britain and British North America
The United Kingdom of Great Britain came into existence in 1707 when the governments of England and Scotland united
British refers to both English and Scots
British North American colonies were highly populated
Though they were supposed to be run by the British government, the colonies had legislatures that tended to act independently

3. Britain and British North America
British North American colonies were highly populated
Though they were supposed to be run by the British government, the colonies had legislatures that tended to act independently

4. Britain and British North America
After the Seven Years War, the British government was in debt
To fix the problem, the King decided to heavily tax the American colonies

5. Britain and British North America
in 1765, Parliament passed the Stamp Act that required certain printed materials carry a taxed stamp on them
opposition was widespread and often violent

6. Britain and British North America
To counteract the actions of Parliament, the colonies organized the First Continental Congress in 1774

7. Britain and British North America
Fighting erupted between colonists and the British army in 1775 in Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts

8. Britain and British North America
Soon after, the Second Continental Congress met and formed the Continental Army
Named George Washington as commander in chief

9. Britain and British North America
July 4, 1776 the Second Continental Congress approved a declaration of independence
Written by Thomas Jefferson
The American Revolution had begun
Spain and France would later enter the war against Britain

10. Britain and British North America
General Cornwallis of the British army surrendered at Yorktown in 1781, ending the war

11. Britain and British North America
The Treaty of Paris (1783) recognized the independence of the American colonies
Also gave Americans control of the western territory from the Appalachians to the Mississippi River

12. The Birth of a New Nation
The 13 colonies were now states, but each one was primarily concerned with its own interests
They were not enthusiastic about creating a united nation

13. The Articles of Confederation
approved in 1781
was the first American constitution
did not provide for a strong central government
lacked the power to deal with the new nation’s problems
delegates decided to write a plan for a completely new national government

14. The Constitution
the proposed Constitution created a federal system in which power would be shared between the national government and the state governments
the national (federal) government was given the power to levy taxes, raise on army, regulate trade, and create a national currency

15. The Constitution
the federal government was divided into three branches
the executive (President)
legislative (Congress: House of Representative and the Senate)
judicial (Supreme Court)

16. Bill of Rights
1789, the new Congress proposed 12 amendments, and the 10 that were approved by the states became known as the Bill of Rights
Examples:
Freedom of religion
Freedom of speech
Freedom of press