1. The American Revolution “I call not upon a few but upon all; not in this state or that state, but on every state…” -Thomas Paine

2. The State of the Colonies ► By 1774 American colonists had a higher standard of living than most of the world because: 1. Merchants had become successful selling tobacco, building ships and iron works 2. Personal economic freedom became an important value to Americans

3. Salutary Neglect ► Americans became used to governing themselves 1. Believed they had the same rights as English citizens 2. The colonies did not have any representatives in the English parliament

4. Taxes ► Due to war debt, England passed several taxes on the colonies ► Colonists objected to being taxed without having representation in Parliament ► Parliament placed a tax on all paper transactions in 1765 (Stamp Act) ► Tea Act (1773): Imposed a tax on tea and created a monopoly for the East India Company

5. Boston Tea Party ► 1773, Sam Adams led the Sons of Liberty to Boston Harbor ► There, colonists dumped ~350 tea chests into the harbor ► Outraged, the king demanded the tea be paid for by the colonists ► Following this, Parliament passed the Coercive Acts to punish Boston for the Boston Tea Party (1774)

6. Intolerable/Coercive Acts ► Series of arbitrary laws passed to deter any further uprising from the colonists ► Colonists viewed this as a violation of rights and formed the First Continental Congress Boston Port Act: closed port of Boston until tea had been paid for Massachusetts Government Act: disbanded local government and brought it under British control

7. Revolutionaries ► John Adams—lawyer who challenged the legality of new taxes ► Samuel Adams—writer who printed several pamphlets against the British, one of the first to call for separation ► Paul Revere—warned minutemen that the British were coming to Lexington and Concord

8. Revolutionary Influences ► Thomas Paine- wrote Common Sense, encouraged colonists to break from Britain ► John Locke- social contract--life, liberty, property; people have the right to overthrow government if it is not upholding rights of citizens ► Declaration of Independence: listed natural rights of man, grievances against Britain and a statement of independence to the world

9. The War Begins ► George Washington: chosen to lead Continental Army due to his impressive background in French and Indian War ► Minutemen: Volunteer militia, able to fight at a moment’s notice

10. Advantages/Disadvantages British British ► Strong, more experienced military ► Better equipment and ammunition ► Mercenary soldiers and Loyalists fought along with the British soldiers ► War debt from the French- Indian War ► Fighting a war on the enemy’s soil. ► Britain had to transport their soldiers and supplies across the Atlantic. Colonists ► George Washington’s leadership and discipline ► Colonists were fighting for freedom in their own land. ► Fought guerrilla-style war on the frontier ► Obtained help from France after winning the Battle of Saratoga in 1777 ► Colonists were poorly trained soldiers and they lacked military equipment.

11. Results of the War ► Treaty of Paris (1783): officially ended the war and recognized American independence ► Established new boundaries for the new nation