The Road to Revolution and the Declaration of Independence

The Colonies and British Grow Apart  After the French and Indian War Britain wanted to gain greater control of its colonies.  The Proclamation of 1763 stated that colonists could not settle west of the Appalachian Mountains.  Colonists felt that their freedom was being limited.  Many ignored the British law.

British Troops and Taxes  Quartering Act: required colonists to quarter, or house, British soldiers and provide them with supplies.  Sugar Act: placed a tax on sugar, molasses, and other products shipped to the colonies. (1764)  Stamp Act: required all legal and commercial documents to carry an official stamp showing that a tax had been paid. (1765) Embossed tax stamp -> Colonist (the Sons of Liberty) tarring and feathering a tax collector.

Colonists Protest  Patrick Henry- believed that colonist should resist taxes that are passed in parliament without their input. “No taxation without representation.” When called treasonous, he replied “If it be treason, make the most of it!”  Boycott: colonist refused to buy British imports.  Sons of Liberty- a secret society which protested against the Stamp Act. They burned stamped papers and tarred and feathered tax collectors.

The Declaratory Act  In 1766 the Stamp Act is repealed.  However, the Declaratory Act was passed by Parliament. This Act stated that Parliament had supreme authority to govern the colonies.

The Townshend Acts 1767  The Townshend Acts suspended New York’s assembly until they agreed to quarter, provide housing for, the British troops.  They also placed taxes on imported goods, including glass, paper, lead, paint, and tea.  Charles Townshend, the king's finance minister thought that these taxes would be less upsetting to the colonists than direct taxes, like the Stamp Act.

Tools of Protest  The real issue here was “whether Parliament can legally take money out of our pockets without our consent,” said John Dickinson, a Pennsylvania lawyer.  1n 1767 Samuel Adams, leader of the Sons of Liberty, organized a boycott of all imported goods.  Colonists attempted to smuggle in untaxed goods. Samuel Adams

The Boston Massacre  On March 5, 1770 colonists began insulting British redcoats, or soldiers. A fight broke out and five colonists were killed, including Crispus Attucks. The Sons of Liberty called the shooting the Boston Massacre. The incident became the object of anti- British propaganda. Colonists were outraged. The soldiers were arrested for murder, however they were found innocent.

The Tea Act  In April of 1770 all of the Townshend Acts were repealed, except for the tax on tea, showing Britain's right to tax the colonists.  Because tea was so popular colonists started smuggling in from Holland to avoid paying the tax.  In 1773 Parliament passed the Tea Act, which gave the British East India Company control over the American tea trade. They would now have to pay the tea tax, which enraged colonists.

The Boston Tea Party  On December 16, 1773, men disguised as Native Americans boarded ships in Boston Harbor. They destroyed 342 chests of tea.  Colonists believed this would show the British how opposed they were to taxation without representation.

The Intolerable Acts  The Intolerable Acts were passed in 1774 to punish the Massachusetts colony.  One act closed Boston Harbor until colonists paid for the destroyed tea.  Others banned committees of correspondence, allowed Britain to house troops whenever necessary, and let British officers accused of crimes in the colonies stand trial in Britain.

The First Continental Congress  In September of 1774 delegates from all the colonies except Georgia met in Philadelphia.  They voted to ban all trade with Britain until the Intolerable Acts were repealed.  The First Continental Congress marked a step in American history. Although they were not ready for independence, they were determined to uphold colonial rights.

The Road to Lexington and Concord  Paul Revere arranged signals to alert colonist in Charlestown about the British. He and Charles Dawes would then ride to Concord. In Lexington he was joined by Dr. Samuel Prescott. When Revere and Dawes were stopped by the British Prescott fled and carried the message to Concord.  Lexington and Concord were the first battles of the Revolutionary War.  Loyalist were colonists who supported the British.  Patriots sided with the rebel colonists.

The Continental Army  After the fighting in Lexington and Concord 20,000 militiamen, armed civilians, gathered around Boston.  Not long after, on May 10 th, 1775 Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys attacked Fort Ticonderoga in New York. They captured the fort and its artillery, cannons and large guns.  On the same day the Second Continental Congress met in Philadelphia. Delegates included John and Samuel Adams, John Hancock, Patrick Henry, and George Washington.  The Continental Army was created with Washington as its General. The Congress also authorized the printing of money; its first acts as a government.

Saving Boston  In January of 1775 the artillery form Fort Ticonderoga arrived in Boston. General Washington moved his troops to Dorchester Heights, overlooking Boston.  British General Howe withdrew his troops from Boston on March 17 th. The Patriots had won back Boston.

Independence Day  The Continental Congress appointed a committee to draft a Declaration of Independence.  Together Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman, and Robert Livingston chose Thomas Jefferson to write the Declaration because he was from Virginia, and a good writer. They knew no independence movement would succeed without Virginia’s support.  On July 4, 1776 Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence, which declared the colonies free and independent states.

 John Hancock was the first to sign the Declaration, he wrote in large letters saying, “There, I guess King George will be able to read that.” The delegates knew if the war was lost they would be hanged.  The Declaration is based on the idea that people have inalienable rights that government cannot take away… life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.  If the government disregards these rights it loses its right to govern and can abolished by the people.  The people, however, being free white men.