1. WHY DID IT HAPPEN? REVOLUTIONARY WAR

2. ENGLISH PERSPECTIVE Colonists had freedom: Removed from the direct control of the Monarchy Colonists had room to roam: Wide open spaces, not trapped in the city, available land Colonists had self government: Elect representatives to legislature Colonists were better off (Colonial Wars): Europeans fought and paid for war, colonies got the benefits English believed they had the right to tax and control the colonies

3. COLONIST PERSPECTIVE Can’t take away right to self government Writs of Assistance: open search warrants Proclamation of 1763: Appalachian Mountains Tea Act of 1763: only buy tea from England Currency Act of 1764: can’t print own money Sugar Act of 1765: Tax on sugar and molasses Stamp Act of 1765: Stamps on papers Townshend Act of 1767: Tax on imports/exports Boston Massacre of 1770: “shed blood” No taxation without representation

4. GROUPS IN COLONIES Loyalists: Loyal to the king Radicals: Extremists, break with England, boycott British goods, organize armies (militias) Moderates: Not break away, but things had to change

5. START OF WAR First battle: Spring of 1775: Lexington and Concord “Shot heard round the world” 2 nd Continental Congress: Olive Branch Petition: offered to work out peaceful solution Colonists losing at first Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776