1. “The Birth of a Democratic Nation”

2. American Ideas vs. British Control
For almost 100 years, American colonial governments enjoyed relative “self -government” from Britain.
In 1760, King George III takes the throne and demands more control over America

3. King George III (1760 – 1820)

4. “Mercantilism”
King George wanted to adopt the idea of “mercantilism” in Great Britain.
“Mercantilism” states a country should sell more goods to other countries than it buys.

5. “Mercantilism”
Britain needed to get as much wealth out of the American colonies as possible.
America would be a source of cheap, raw materials and revenue (via taxes).

6. “French & Indian War”
The “French & Indian War” ( ) made things worse.
The war was extremely expensive for the British government, leading to increased taxes in America.

7. “French & Indian War”

8. “Stamp Act” (1765)

9. “Stamp Act” (1765)
The first significant tax was the “Stamp Act” of 1765.
This act required expensive tax stamps on all newspapers and legal documents

10. “No Taxation Without Representation”
                                        

11. “No Taxation Without Representation”
                           
American colonists resented these new taxes by the British.
Since they had no representation in the British Parliament, they felt they should not have to pay taxes.

12. “No Taxation Without Representation”
                           
Today, citizens of Washington DC do NOT have voting representation in the U.S. Congress.
Is this the same thing as it was in 1765?

13. American Boycotts

14. American Boycotts
In protest, many Americans began to “boycott” or refuse to buy British goods.
As a result, the British government “repealed” or cancelled the act.

15. “Townshend Acts” (1767)

16. “Townshend Acts” (1767)
The new “Townshend Act” of 1767 replaced other British taxes.
This act allowed taxes to be levied on basic goods imported to the colonies from Great Britain (glass, tea, paper, etc.)

17. “Tea Act” (1773)
The “Tea Act” followed, allowing the British East India Company to bypass colonial government tax requirements.
American merchants were outraged.

18. “Boston Tea Party”

19. “Coercive” (“Intolerable”) Acts
To respond to the “Boston Tea Party”, the British Parliament instituted the “Coercive Acts”.
Called the “Intolerable Acts” by America, they restricted colonial rights.

20. First Continental Congress (1774)

21. First Continental Congress (1774)
                                                                                          
First Continental Congress (1774)
In 1774, 12 of the 13 American colonies sent “delegates” or representatives to Philadelphia to express their concerns with Britain’s new taxes.
Georgia did not attend.

22. First Continental Congress (1774)
Congress sent a letter to King George demanding the rights of the colonists be restored.
All agreed to meet again within a year if the king did not agree.

23. King George’s Response

24. Lexington and Concord
Fought on April 19, 1775, kicked off the American Revolutionary War.. On the night of April 18, 1775, hundreds of British troops marched from Boston to nearby Concord in order to seize an arms cache. Paul Revere and other riders sounded the alarm, and colonial militiamen began mobilizing to intercept the British. A confrontation on the Lexington town green started off the fighting, and soon the British were hastily retreating under intense fire.

25. Second Continental Congress (1775)

26. Second Continental Congress (1775)
During the second meeting, delegates argued over the best solution.
Many did NOT want independence, fearing they could not win a war with Britain and remained loyal.

27. Thomas Paine & “Common Sense” (1776)

28. Thomas Paine & “Common Sense”
Paine argued in 1776 that is was only “common sense” for America to break with Great Britain.
King George was a “royal brute” and America had every right to sever ties.

29. Second Continental Congress (1776)
After many months of debate, more than half of the delegates agreed to declare independence from Great Britain.
The writings of Paine were very influential.

30. “Declaration of Independence”

31. “Declaration of Independence”
Independence – self reliance and freedom from outside control.

32. “Declaration of Independence”
Thomas Jefferson detailed the colonies’ reasons for breaking away with Great Britain.
Jefferson claimed that the king did not look after the interests of the colonies anymore.

33. “Declaration of Independence”
Thomas Jefferson was likely influenced by the publications of John Locke
Locke believed in:
“natural law” – the idea that people behave like they’re supposed to because it’s human nature
“natural rights” – that because we are human we are guarantee by the Heavens…life, liberty and property.

34. “Declaration of Independence”
The Founding Fathers were heavily influenced by French philosopher Baron de Montesquieu when drafting the DOI, most notably in connection with the separation of powers.

35. “Declaration of Independence”
Jefferson further added that “a decent respect for the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation”.

36. “Declaration of Independence”
Part I: Preamble
This explains why the Continental Congress drew up this declaration.

37. “Declaration of Independence”
Part II: Declaration of Natural Rights
This lists the rights of the citizens, explaining that in a “republic”, the people form the government to protect their rights.

38. “Declaration of Independence”
Part III: List of Grievances
This lists the colonists’ complaints against the British government (singling out King George for the blame).

39. “Declaration of Independence”
Part IV: Resolution of Independence
This declares that the colonies are “Free and Independent States” with full power to make war, form alliances, and trade with others.

40. “Declaration of Independence”
Independence Day, or the Fourth of July, celebrates the adoption by the Continental Congress of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.

41. Uncertain Future??

42. What does this quote mean?
“We must indeed all hand together, or most assuredly, we shall all hang separately.”
Benjamin Franklin

43. Uncertain Future?? Benjamin Franklin’s drawing from the 1750’s.
Franklin stressed that the colonies must be united if they are to prevail against Great Britain.