American Revolution

What is it? War of independence from Great Britain (England) Colonies vs. England

Events that lead to WAR Debt after French and Indian War Taxation to colonies by British Government Sugar, Stamp, Townshend Boston Massacre Boston Tea Party, 1771 Intolerable Acts- harsher laws for colonies

First Continental Congress Main people from colonies met in Philadelphia 1774 They met to organized a plan for war and create militias

Questions Why did the American colonies declare their independence from the British Empire?

Second Continental Congress Fighting begins April 1775, in Lexington and Concord 2nd Continental Congress-formed army Commander in Chief- George Washington Declaration of Independence, 1776 Written by Thomas Jefferson “free and independent states absolved from all allegiance to the British crown”

War Begins British Strong military power Enormous financial resources Continental Army Amateurs for short time Aided by French and others Arms and money Officers served

Question Why did foreign countries support the American cause?

War Ends At Yorktown in 1781 British General Cornwallis was forced to surrender Treaty of Paris 1783- recognized independence of American colonies Americans gained land West of Mountains to Mississippi River

New Country 13 colonies were independent states Own interests No interest in creating a UNITED country Articles of Confederation-1st American Constitution (1781) Weak national government Couldn’t deal with national problems

Constitutional Convention 1787, 55 delegates met in Philly to revise articles Wrote a new plan for a new government They wrote the CONSTITUTION

Constitution Created a federal system (power would be shared between national and state governments National- taxes, raise an army, regulate trade State- other rules- transportation

Three Branches of Government

Bill of Rights 1789 Congress proposed 12 amendments, 10 were approved by the states Guaranteed freedom or religion, press, speech, petition, and assembly. Right to bear arms Protect themselves against searches Granted a trial by jury Due process of law

Question What was the main difference between the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution?