The American Revolution

The “13 Original Colonies” The first English settlement in North America was in Jamestown, VA. It was founded in 1607 by the Virginia Company, a corporation set up for the purpose of settling North America Virginia, like many of the original colonies, was not a royal colony, but a colonial charter

Colonial Charter A document that gave British “Crown” Corporations the power to govern and control certain colonies They had their own governmental organization, their own officials, and their own laws, many of which did not need the approval of the King. Examples of colonial charters included: - Massachusetts - Maryland - Connecticut - Rhode Island - However, it was not uncommon for colonial charters to be revoked and for settlements to be claimed as Royal Colonies.

Who Were the Colonists? More than half of the colonists who came to North America did so as indentured servants Upon their arrival in America, they would work for 5 to 7 years to pay for the cost of the journey. 1600’s – mostly English 1700’s – mostly Irish and German

Seeds of Discontent These conditions led to a growing disparity between rich and poor, and to an increasingly angry populace: 1713 – Boston food shortage resulting in rioting 1740’s and 1750’s – clashes in New Jersey between farmers and landowners By 1760, there had been 18 uprisings aimed at overthrowing a colonial government

Beginning of the Revolution 1764 – Currency Act: prohibited colonies from printing their own paper money Sugar Act: placed taxes on certain items 1765 – Stamp Act: the first direct taxes imposed on the colonies. It required that many paper goods be printed on stamped paper produced in London. Quartering Act: required that the colonies provide food and shelter for British soldiers.

The Boston Massacre In 1770, a group of 9 British soldiers shot into a crowd of protestors, without orders, killing 5 people and wounding others. Naturally, this sparked outrage.

The Boston Tea Party In 1773 A group of protestors boarded British mercantile ships in disguise and destroyed the entire shipment of 342 chests of tea. Seen as one of the most important events leading up to the war, this was an act of defiance against the King, as well as the British East India Company, who had earlier received royal favor through the Tea Act.

On April 19, 1975 the Revolutionary War Began At Lexington and Concord

Thomas Paine In 1776, Thomas Paine anonymously published a very important pamphlet titled Common Sense Up to this point, many people were torn between support for the Revolutionaries and loyalty to the King; they were “on the fence.” Common Sense was written in common language that everyone could understand. It galvanized popular support for independence and swayed many undecided individuals onto the side of the Revolutionaries. (Paine would later write Rights of Man (1791), a book in defense and support of the French Revolution.)

Declaration of Independence On July 4, 1776 the Second Continental Congress formally declared independence from Britain under the name of The United States of America. “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.” The chief author of this document was Thomas Jefferson. He would later, while in Paris, help Lafayette write Declaration of the Rights of Man and of Citizen.

The Importance of the American Revolution Many people believe that the “Founding Fathers” of America were simply colonial elites who harnessed the discontent of the colonists to their own advantage. Much of the popular unrest in the colonies had more to do with poverty, income inequality, and poor living conditions than with explicit dissatisfaction with the King. There was much fear among elites that poor whites would join with black slaves in popular uprisings. The fight for independence could be seen as a concerted effort to focus people’s anger against Britain. After Independence, the same inequalities persisted. Thus, the significance lies in the political philosophy that was established, not in the resulting society.

Questions 1)What were some early causes of unrest in the American colonies? 2)What were some direct causes that led to the Revolutionary War? 3)Which basic principles does the Declaration of Independence defend? 4)What do the American Revolution and the French Revolution have in common? 5)Describe some of the political ideas related to the American and French Revolutions.