1. Causes of the American Revolution
How migration to the 13 British colonies led to the desire for independence!

2. Discussion What is a colony?
Which European countries had colonies in the New World?
What did European countries use their colonies for?

3. English Colonial Migration
Beginning in 1607, English citizens left England and began to move to the New World…… why?
English colonists originally migrated for three reasons:
Freedom of religion
Freedom to keep their own money
Freedom from royal oppression

4. Discussion
Do you think the colonists received the freedoms they were looking for? Why or why not?
As you know, England was in debt from serious wars….. How would this impact the colonies in the New World?
How would the English Civil War impact the British colonies?

5. From Colonists to Rebel Patriots
As the problems with the British government & economy continued, colonists desired more independence.
Eventually, the desire for reform will lead to a revolution!
Today, we are going to watch the episode “Rebels” from the series America, the Story of Us.
It focuses on events leading to the Revolution - from migration to the colonies, colonial protests, conflict with British soldiers, and the beginning of the Revolution.
These are important topics pertaining to the independence of the U.S. so make sure you are paying attention and following along!
Answer all 22 questions on the worksheet. These will be your notes!

6. BELLWORK 1/12
List 3 reasons why colonists migrated to the English colonies.
List five problems colonists encountered while living in the English colonies.
What role did Africans play in shaping the English colonies?
Why do the citizens of Boston conflict with the British? How does the King respond to this conflict?
What was the purpose of the First Continental Congress?
What is a militia? Why are militias used?
THINKER: What is a boycott? In your opinion, is a boycott an effective form of protest?

7. More British Taxes
Why did the British monarchy implement taxes in the colonies?
Sugar Act (1764)
Currency Act (1764)
Stamp Act (1765)
Quartering Act (1765)
Declaratory Act (1766)
Townshend Act (1767)

8. Colonial Protests
The British monarchy passed several laws & taxes to restrict the rights of the colonists and maintain their control
Colonists protested with a boycott: refusal to buy British goods.
“NO TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION!”

9. BELLWORK: Block 1 What were the Navigation Acts? (pg. 322)
List three colonial goods that were taxed by the British. Why were they taxed?
What does “no taxation without representation” mean?
Who made up the American militia? How were they at a disadvantage against the British military?
To review  Brainstorm five causes of the American Revolution.
THINKER: Several times before the outbreak of war, the Continental Congress tried to compromise with Britain. Why do you think they want to make peace? Is compromise possible at this point or is war inevitable? Explain!

10. Unrest in Boston
In order to enforce new laws, Britain sent soldiers to the new colonies.
Boston became the center of conflict between the colonists (Patriots/Rebels) and British (Tories/Loyalists)
Boston Massacre: On March 5, 1770, a squad of British soldiers were harassed by a Boston crowd, eventually leading to gunfire and five deaths.
Britain responded by implementing the Tea Act (1773)

11. Why did the colonists refer to this as a “massacre?”

12. “The Destruction of Tea at Boston Harbor” by: Nathan Currier, 1846
Unrest in Boston
Tea Act (1773)
Increased the tax on tea
Stated colonists could only buy tea from British companies (London Company)
Increased punishment for illegal trade or smuggling tea
Boston Tea Party: colonists snuck onto tea ships and dumped the chests of tea into the harbor. (5/10/1773)
“The Destruction of Tea at Boston Harbor” by: Nathan Currier, 1846

13. British Response to Tea Party
Close Boston Harbor until all tea was repaid
How did colonists respond to this?

14. First Continental Congress
September 5, 1774
Unite all colonies against Great Britain
Try compromise
Organized boycotts
Argued they should have right to make laws in the colonies

15. First Continental Congress

16. “The Shot Heard Around the World”
On April 19, 1775, 700 British soldiers marched towards Concord (outside of Boston.)
At Lexington, they encountered 70 American militia; leaving 8 dead - the British soldiers continued to Concord
At Concord, fighting between the two forces broke out. (American militia now 500 men)
By the time the British soldiers reached Boston, there were 273 British casualties and 88 American casualties.

19. Second Continental Congress
May 10, 1775
Congress tried one final compromise with Britain.
King George refused.
Organized an army under George Washington.
Discussed military strategy.
Began drafting the United States Declaration of Independence
Congress acted as the first legitimate American government.

20. If Britain tried to compromise, do you think colonists could have avoided revolution? Were there any alternative options or was war imminent? Explain!
"Washington Crossing the Delaware" by Emanuel Leutze

21. "Yes, we must, indeed, all hang together, or most assuredly we shall all hang separately."
Benjamin Franklin at the signing of the Declaration of Independence; 1776

22. Worksheet: Fighting the American Revolution

23. Review: Brainstorm a list of reasons why the colonies rebelled from the British.