Birth of the American Republic Mr. Divett

Britain Becomes a Global Power Britain became a global power because: Location made trade easy to control Friendly toward business Few trade restrictions Often won European conflicts Monopolized slave trade Expanded territories locally

George III 60-year reign began in 1760 English born Wanted to: – Reclaim lost territory – End Whig domination – Appoint his own ministers – Dissolve the cabinet system

George III

Colonies There were many colonies in North America These stretched along the east coast They became profitable Who can name the original 13 colonies?

Original 13 Colonies

The Navigation Acts Parliament passed the Navigation Acts in the 1600s A series of acts passed starting in 1651 These acts required: – All European goods to pass through England first – All goods be transported on English ships – Colonial goods be shipped only to England

The Navigation Acts Were poorly enforced Led to resentment towards England Also led to rampant smuggling

Colonies in 1700s More diverse population than England Social distinctions were fuzzy Colonists felt entitled to British Rights

Taxes Britain was broke from Seven Years’ War and French and Indian War Sugar Act import taxes Stamp Act taxes on paper items “Taxation without representation”

Rebellion of Colonists Boston Massacre March 1770 Five died

Boston Tea Party

Continental Congress Representatives from each colony met This included John Adams and George Washington

Continental Congress

Revolutionary War Started April 1775 at Lexington and Concord Preceded by Paul Revere’s Midnight Ride

Revolutionary War

Congress Calls Army The Continental Army George Washington was the commander

Second Continental Congress Voted to declare independence from Britain Reflected John Locke’s ideas Penned by Thomas Jefferson

Declaration of Independence Detailed grievances against Britain Offered right to alter or abolish unjust governments Popular sovereignty- government power comes from the people Adopted on July 4, 1776

Declaration of Independence

War Continues Things did not look good for colonists. They were: – Outnumbered – Outskilled – Outfunded – Outstrategized

Colonist’s Advantages Home court advantage Determination Good leader

British Advantages They offered freedom to slaves who fought the colonists They made alliances with natives

Support French back the colonists (against their rivals) after the victory at Saratoga in 1777 Spain and Netherlands also supported them

Winter at Valley Forge

End of War French blockaded Chesapeake Bay British surrendered at Yorktown, Virginia in 1781 Treaty of Paris formally recognized independence of USA

Chesapeake Bay

Treaty of Paris

Constitution The Articles of Confederation were first in 1787 James Madison and Benjamin Franklin helped right them The Constitution followed in 1789 It made the USA a federal republic, or a government with power divided between federal government and states

Constitution This created a system of checks and balances The founding fathers drew heavily from the teachings of enlightened thinkers Locke, Montesquieu, and Rousseau

Checks and Balances