I.) British Colonization in North America Mercantilism – an economic theory that depends on a greater amount of exports than imports in order to increase a country’s supply of gold and silver. Mercantilism -spurs English colonization England wants to spread influence around world 1. race Spain and France for colonies in N. America

II.) Colonists Question British Policies A. Founding Fathers follow Republican ideas and Enlightenment ideas B. British Parliament was illegitimate- *Violated the Magna Carta 1763- no new settlements west of Appalachian Mts. 1764- Sugar Act 1765- Stamp Act 1773- Tea Act 1774- Intolerable Acts

III.) The Sides are Drawn King George III- King of England during the American Revolution Colonists demand same rights as natural born citizens of Great Britain C. Three Sides: Patriots- colonists who wanted independence Loyalists- colonists loyal to the crown (Tories) Neutral- colonists who did not take sides

IV.) American Independence July 1776 Second Continental Congress adopt the Declaration of Independence 1. Thomas Jefferson- principal author

C. Importance: it was a summary of the ideals and values that influenced Europe & America during the Enlightenment

V.) The Revolutionary War A. America- knew the land well, had little money, lacked military training & leaders 1. George Washington- American general during war B. British- superior military, no allies, little support from home, supplies had to come across Atlantic 1.) General Cornwallis- British general during war

C. 1781 Battle of Yorktown ends the Revolutionary War D. Treaty of Paris 1783- treaty which ends the Revolutionary War 1. Benjamin Franklin- American statesman and chief negotiator

VI.) After the Revolution Articles of Confederation(1777) 1. weak central govt. 2. states rights loom large B. United States Constitution (1787-8) 1. federalism 2. popular sovereignty 3. three branches of govt. 4. check and balances C. The Bill of Rights: 1. first 10 amendments to Constitution 2. guaranteed basic rights/freedoms (speech, religion, press) Liberty!

Enlightenment Ideas and the Constitution

VII.) The Effects of the American Revolution A. American Revolution did the following: put into practice Enlightenment ideas created a new people led form of government (Democracy) gave hope to those nations under power of Absolute monarch Led to French Revolution