CH 2 SEC 3 Birth of the American Republic

I. Britain becomes a global power Britain’s location enabled it to control trade. They were an island nation and their navy would become the best in the world. The laws and government of England were favorable to businesses and trade. They were victorious in the wars they fought in the 1700s.

I. Britain becomes a global power Their king, George III, reigned for 60 years, providing stability in the government. He tried to assert the power of the throne, which would lead to a loss of power and territory.

II. The 13 colonies in the mid-1700s The colonies were doing very well in the 1700s. Britain was leaving them alone, and they were able to govern themselves and trade with Britain. The Northern colonies developed industry, shipping and trade, and the Southern colonies developed large plantations, small farms, and slavery.

III. Colonists express discontent The French and Indian war ended in 1763, and it left Britain with a huge new empire in North America and an equally huge war debt. The colonists expected to move west into the new territory, but Britain signed a treaty with the Native Americans to keep out the colonists.

III. Colonists express discontent Britain also decided to make the colonies pay for the war effort by passing taxes and actually enforcing them. The colonists began to organize efforts to get the taxes repealed, until both sides started shooting at each other.

III. Colonists express discontent At the beginning, the colonies were trying to fix the problem with Britain, but by 1776 the realized the only option was independence. Thomas Jefferson was given the job of writing a declaration of independence for the new country.

III. Colonists express discontent He used many ideas from John Locke, the idea of natural rights, and the social contract. He charged the king with not protecting the rights of the colonists, so they have the right to create their own government.

IV. The Revolution Continues At first the Americans were not doing well. The British had the best army and navy in the world, and the Americans were a bunch of farmers and hunters. The only thing the Americans had going for them was George Washington. He inspired loyalty in the troops, and they fought for him.

IV. The Revolution Continues The biggest boost for the Americans was the battle of Saratoga. The victory by the Americans convinced France that they should help the new nation. The French sent supplies and ships to help the Americans. The Spanish and the Netherlands also chipped in.

IV. The Revolution Continues Eventually the British would lose the battle of Yorktown when Lord Cornwallis is cut off from retreat by the French navy. This loss convinced the British that the war was unwinnable, and they sign the Treaty of Paris in This gave the United States all the land west of the Appalachians to the Mississippi river.

V. A New Constitution After the war, the United States formed a government based on the Articles of Confederation. The government was too weak to run the country effectively. A convention was held in Philadelphia in 1787 to fix the Articles of Confederation. Early on the delegates realized they had to start over with a new government.

V. A New Constitution More ideas from the Enlightenment will influence the new Constitution. Separation of powers, three branches of government, and checks and balances from Montesquieu. The Bill of Rights from Rousseau, and popular sovereignty from everyone is built into this government that was unique in the world.

V. A New Constitution The Constitution would be copied by many nations, and the ideas expressed in it would have a major impact of events in Europe soon after.

In your notebook Write 3 things you learned 2 things you want to learn more about 1 thing you did not understand 1 thing someone else learned that you did not write down.