1. THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

2. British & American Colonies 1770- population was approx. 2,150,000 Population was growing quickly Been in America for about 150 years Colonies thrived economically through trade with European countries 1760- King George III becomes King of England 13 colonies enjoyed a type of self-government Colonists saw themselves as more Virginians or Pennsylvanians than British HOWEVER- they were expected to abide by British Law

3. Navigation Act 1651 Prevented colonists from selling their most valuable products to any country other than Great Britain Had to pay higher taxes on good imported from French & Dutch Allowed British to buy American raw materials for low prices and turn huge profits

4. Road to Independence French and Indian War left Great Britain in debt Britain expected colonists to help pay off the war debt Stamp Act- 1765 Colonists had to pay to have an official stamp put on wills, deeds, newspapers, and any printed item Outraged the colonist Never paid taxes directly to British government before Called it a violation of their natural rights “No taxation without representation”- no representation in British parliament

5. Road Continued Tea Tax- 1773 Import tax on tea Boston Tea Party Colonist disguised as Mohawk indians dumped a load of tea into Boston Harbor So much tea water turned redish brown King George III closed the port of Boston with British Navy

6. 1 st & 2 nd Continental Congress 1 st Congress Every colony sent representatives EXCEPT Georgia & Philadelphia Complained about treatment of colonists in Boston (ignored) Lexington & Concord Massachusetts 1 st gunfire between Colonial militia and British soldiers 2 nd Congress Voted to raise an army for battle against Great Britian Named George Washington in command July 1776- Declaration of Independence issued Written by Thomas Jefferson American Revolution had began

7. Declaration of Independence Influence of ______________________________ People had the right to rebel against an unfair ruler What did it say?? Included a long list of abuses implemented by _________________________________ Declared colonies separation from __________________________

8. How did we win?? 1. Motivation Fighting for freedom, homeland, and family 2. British overconfidence 3. Fought in America 3,000 miles from GB Extremely expensive 4. Help from french American & French surround Lord Cornwallis @ Battle of Yorktown Cornwallis unable to escape Surrenders = American victory

9. Articles of Confederation Plan of government established by 13 states Republic- citizens rule through elected officials Problems 1. Weak national gov. 2. No executive or judicial branches- they only had Congress 3. Every state only had 1 congressional vote (regardless of size) 4. Could not collect taxes or regulate trade 5. Needed 9 of 13 states approval to pass any new bill Gov. was broke and needed money

10. The Constitution Realized the need for a strong national gov. 1787- approved Constitutional Convention to REVISE the Articles of Confederation 55 delegates from all 13 states- influenced by ideas of Locke, Montesquieu, & Rousseau Debated for 4 months until Constitution was created Combined all of the ideas of the Enlightenment to form the gov. we still use today

11. Federal System Distrusted a powerful central gov.- Montesquieu Established 3 separate branches Legislative, Executive, Judicial Provided checks & balances- each branch checks actions of other Ex. How a bill becomes a law Federal System Divided gov. power amongst National & State governments

12. Bill of Rights Constitution finished- required 9 of 13 states approval Federalist- supporters of new constitution Anti- Federalists: gave central gov. too much power Federalist propose a compromise Added to the constitution to protect basic rights Speech, religion, assembly, press, etc. Advocated by Voltaire, Rousseau, & Locke