5. The American Revolution 1775 - 1783 These are the actually years of the war. But, in order to understand everything that led up to the war we must focus on events that happened before the outbreak of the American Revolution in 1775

Part 1: Road to War

The Defeat of the French In the French and Indian War largely ended their influence in the Americas. After the war, the British attempted to make the colonies pay their fair share for the war effort.

Parliament Acts Parliamentary efforts during this era results in various taxes and duties on the colonies resulting in great unrest in the colonies.

The Growing Tensions Proclamation of 1763 Currency Act (1764) Sugar Act (1764) Stamp Act (1765) Townshend Acts (1767) The Quartering Act The Declaratory Act

Individuals Cry Out Benjamin Franklin Patrick Henry Samuel Adams John Adams Thomas Paine

Colonists Unite Paxton Boys Committees of Correspondence Sons of Liberty Stamp Act Congress

Violence Erupts Boston Massacre (1770) Boston Tea Party (1773) Boston will become center of opposition

Following the Boston Tea Party The Intolerable Acts (1774) closed the port of Boston and curtailed freedom of speech in Massachusetts. Many were outraged.

First Continental Congress (1774) Passed a resolution that stated the colonies would resist measures that taxed them without their consent. Individual colonies should start to raise and train state militias.

Part 2: Revolution

Lexington and Concord 1775 First armed resistance to the British Army

2nd Continental Congress Began to prepare colonies for war Olive Branch Petition tried to accommodate colonial interests with the Crown

The Declaration of Independence Preamble Discussion of beliefs Grievances Separation Read to class with as much drama as you can muster.

Locke’s Two Treatises of Government Natural or inalienable rights. Rights of life, liberty and property Free men formed contracts with society.

Thomas Paine: Common Sense Argued for independence Read throughout the colonies

Loyalists Many colonists remained loyal to the king Many were members of the economic elite

Minorities During War African Americans and Women played a large part

George Washington Defensive tactics as leader of the Continental forces proved decisive, since a longer war was disadvantageous to the British.

Battle of Saratoga American victory convinces France to assist the colonies. Proves to be invaluable. French Navy proved to be especially critical as the war progressed.

When the British decided to quit The War Ends When the British decided to quit At the Battle of Yorktown Self Explanatory

Treaty of Paris, 1783 British recognize United States Gain territory west of Appalachia Provisions of the treaty