1. The American Revolution
Ms. Hunt
Unit 3
Randolph IB Middle

2. The English Colonies- Pre-Revolution
Before The British Government neglected its American Colonies.
Why might this be an issue for the colonies?
The Colonies ignored the laws of the British and mostly self-governed.
Why might this be an issue for the British?
The French and Indian War- The British won but they believed the American colonies did not help enough.
King George III wanted the Americans to pay part of the war debt

3. Economic Causes of the Revolution
British implemented the Navigation Acts
Colonies can only trade with British
Colonists paid less taxes than British citizens
British government increased American taxes
Stamp Act
A tax on printed material
Taxes on imports
Tea and sugar (materials used daily became very expensive!)

4. Political Causes of the Revolution
Colonists claimed they weren’t represented in British Parliament
Taxation without representation
Think about it!- Why would this be upsetting? How might it lead to revolution?
Violation of their “rights as Englishmen”
Think about it!- How do you think their rights were violated?
3. Writs of Assistance- Search without warrants
4. Colonists were denied a trial by jury
5. Quartering of soldiers
- Homeowners became responsible for all costs of caring for soldiers.

5. What does this political cartoon mean?

6. Social Causes of the Revolution
Colonists have been in the New World for generations.
Some Americans have never visited England
Colonists were immigrants from countries who were traditional enemies of Britain
Ireland, France, Scotland, and Holland
Distance
Britain was 3,000 miles away
Took a very long time to communicate with each government, created more misunderstandings
*Don’t Trend on Me Flag- What symbolism does the flag have for the American colonists?

7. STOP and JOT!
What do you think is the most important reasons why the Americans revolted?
1 complete sentence
What is it? Why?
Do you agree with the revolution? Why or why not?
Your stance and why?

8. The War Begins April 1775- The Battle of Lexington and Concord
British Soldiers marched to Lexington, Mass.
Someone (unknown who) fired a shot, and the British open fire.
They marched on to Concord.
73 British died
49 Americans died.

9. Declaration of Independence
July 4, 1776
Declaration states that the American colonies should be an independent country free from British rule.

10. Declaration of Independence
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government…”

11. Enlightenment Ideas in the Declaration of Independence
Step 1- Highlight Enlightenment ideas that you find in this section of the Declaration of Independence. - Identify at least three ideas.
Step 2- Make note!
Which Enlightenment Thinker developed the ideas that you highlighted?
Step 3- Think about it!
Benjamin Franklin helped write the Declaration of Independence.
Which Enlightenment Thinker do you think influenced him the most? Defend your answer.

12. Battle of Yorktown October 19, 1781
Leader of the British army Lord Cornwallis is surrounded by American and French troops on land and the French navy at sea
Cornwallis can no longer have his army escape or be re-supplied by sea or land
He is forced to surrender his entire army, leading the British to negotiate a peace treaty.
Predict- What do you think the colonists would demand in the Peace Treaty? Relate your demands to Enlightenment Ideas.

13. Why Did the Americans Win the War?
American Victory
September 3, 1783 – The United States and Great Britain sign the Treaty of Paris, formally ending the war.
Great Britain agreed to formally recognize the American colonies as independent.
Why Did the Americans Win the War?
Americans were fighting on their own soil.
Americans were experienced wilderness fighters.
Better leaders, in particular George Washington.
Volunteer foreign military officers.
French assistance in the form of soldiers, navy, and money.