1. Uniting for Independence Events that led to Independence 9/8/11

2. Events Second Continental CongressSecond Continental Congress Boston Tea Party French and Indian WarFrench and Indian War 1st Continental Congress1st Continental Congress Declaration of IndependenceDeclaration of Independence 1 st battle of Revolutionary War1 st battle of Revolutionary War Development of State ConstitutionsDevelopment of State Constitutions Colonial Unity George III becomes King of Great BritainGeorge III becomes King of Great Britain Stamp Act

3. French and Indian War 1754-1763 Started as a struggle between French and British over land. The British won but had a large amount of war debt that they expected the colonies to help repay.

4. George III becomes King (1760) Determined to deal more firmly with American colonies. Levied taxes on the colonies.

5. Stamp Act of 1765 1 st tax on colonies that included legal documents, pamphlets, newspapers, etc.

6. Boston Tea Party (1773) Colonists dump tea into Boston Harbor to protest taxes on tea.

7. Colonial Unity (1770’s) Colonies organized and petitioned against King George’s decisions on taxes. Urged colonial resistance to the British.

8. 1 st Continental Congress September 5, 1774 Colonies decided to not use British goods. Imposed an embargo- agreement that prohibited trade

9. 1 st battle of the Revolutionary War April 19, 1775 King George announced that New England governments were in a state of rebellion. British redcoats clashed with colonial minuteman at Lexington and Concord in Massachusetts.

10. 2 nd Continental Congress May 1775 Assumed the powers of a central government –Organized army and navy –Issued money –Made George Washington the commander of the Army

11. Declaration of Independence July 4, 1776 Declared colonial independence from Great Britain.

12. State Constitutions Colonies became states with no higher authority. By the end of 1776, 10 states had developed written constitutions.