1. THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION American History I - Unit 2 Ms. Brown

2. Review Why did the colonists feel that the British Parliament had no right to tax them? Colonists had no representation in Parliament to make known their needs and desires Who were the Sons of Liberty? Led by Samuel Adams, secretive group of colonists that resisted British control How did the colonists view the event called the “Boston Massacre?” Colonists viewed the Boston Massacre as a British attack on defenseless colonists, even though it’s still unknown who fired first How did GB react to the Boston Tea Party? Parliament passed the Intolerable Acts – shut down Boston Harbor, forced colonists to house British soldiers, and placed Boston under martial law

3. 2.2 – DECLARING INDEPENDENCE

4. Preparing for Conflict First Continental Congress – “colonies should fight back if England uses force”  PREPARATION! Many eastern New England towns formed militias made of Minutemen Militia – ordinary citizens who perform military actions Minutemen - Another word for the colonial militia men who fought in the American Revolution Stockpile of guns and ammunition

5. Revere’s Ride March 1775 - British General Gage hears… There is a large stockpile of guns/ammunition hidden outside of Boston in the small town of Concord. John Hancock and Samuel Adams are staying in Lexington, near Concord Sends troops to destroy stockpile and arrest Hancock and Adams Paul Revere, member of the Sons of Liberty, saw troops organizing in Boston and organized a network of riders to warn colonists of British actions

6. Revere’s Ride April 1775 - Revere, William Dawes, and Samuel Prescott rode in the night to spread the word of British movement toward Lexington and Concord. Colonists rang bells and shot guns (prearranged signals) to warn others of the British Before Concord, Revere was captured and questioned at gunpoint by British Dawes escaped but did not finish the ride. Prescott escaped and continued to Concord to warn colonists and Minutemen.

7. Lexington By morning, when Redcoats reached Lexington, 70 Minutemen were waiting. British commander ordered Minutemen to disarm and leave Colonists remained armed SOMEONE shot their gun Shots then fired from both sides Battle of Lexington 15 minutes 18 Minutemen killed/wounded 1 Redcoat injured

8. Concord Redcoats marched on to Concord  found an empty arsenal and 3,000-4,000 Minutemen waiting British attempted to march to Boston but Minutemen fire on them Many Recoats killed Remaining Redcoats hurry to Boston, humiliated Lexington and Concord (April 1775) – considered the first battles of the American Revolution Lexington and Concord “The shot heard around the world.”

9. Redcoats – marching in straight lines with defined Generals and Commanders Militia (Minutemen) are disorganized, but somewhat effective because they catch the Redcoats off guard

10. Second Continental Congress Summer 1775 - Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia Delegates from the colonies met to discuss plans of action  much debate over what to do next Named the colonial army the Continental Army Chose George Washington (43 yrs) to be Commander in Chief of army Authorized the printing of colonial money to pay troops and deal with foreign nations NOT officially declaring independence yet… just preparing for war

11. Battle of Bunker Hill June 1775 – Redcoats humiliated and ready to fight Marched to an area outside of Boston near Bunker Hill where some Minutemen were stationed Battle of Bunker Hill – June 1775 Battle of Bunker Hill Minutemen held fire until the last moment “Don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes!” Redcoats stormed the hill 3 times Last surge was successful, Minutemen ran out of ammo British victory, bloodiest battle of war 450 Minutemen wounded 1,000 Redcoats killed/wounded

12. Olive Branch Petition July 1775 – Second Continental Congress still in session Most colonists still considered themselves British citizens (very angry British citizens) Olive Branch Petition July 1775 Sent by the Congress to King George III Urged a return to the “former harmony” between England and the colonies Last ditch effort for peace

13. Olive Branch Petition REJECTED by King George III Declared the colonies in rebellion Urged Parliament to order a naval blockade (cut off trading) on the American coast Colonies are in rebellion! I will cut off their trade to suffocate them financially! I have a giant hat.

14. Common Sense Changes Colonists’ Minds January 1776 – anonymous pamphlet (50 pgs) circulated the colonies Common Sense (Thomas Paine) Attacked King George III “Destiny” for the colonies to become a separate nation Trade freely with other nations Get foreign aid to defeat England Develop a better society based on equality 500,000 copies sold Very influential in persuading undecided colonists to support independence

15. Summer 1776 NC already declared independence VA wants to follow NC Second Continental Congress (still in session), debates declaring independence Thomas Jefferson appointed to prepare a formal declaration explaining the rebellion and desire to be free

16. Declaration of Independence 1776 Written by Thomas Jefferson Based on the ideas of John Locke (Enlightenment thinker) People have “natural rights”… Life Liberty Pursuit of happiness Government gets its power from its citizens (the “governed”). People should rebel against a government that denies its citizens these “unalienable rights.”

17. Declaration of Independence “All men are created equal…” The belief that FREE citizens are equals and should be treated so by the government. NOT including women, Native Americas, and African American slaves… or really any poor person July 2, 1776 – Congress voted colonies to be free July 4, 1776 – adopted and signed the Declaration of Independence

18. Americans Choose Sides PatriotsLoyalists (Tories) Supported American independence Remained loyal to England Farmers, merchants, artisans, landowners, elected officials Quakers (but didn’t fight) African American slaves (maybe freedom if America wins?) Who?Judges, Councilors, or Governors Lived in rural areas – didn’t know of the events in the cities Native Americans (viewed as smaller threat than colonists) African American slaves (maybe freedom if England wins?) New opportunities for economic gains Why not – can it get worse? Why?Didn’t want to be punished as rebels if British won Scared of new government