The Start of a Revolution

distrust grew between Colonists and Great Britain. British soldiers stationed in the colonies and on the frontier the Proclamation of 1763

1764 – Writs of Assistance (gave British soldiers right to search homes) Sugar Act – lowered the tax on sugar, but appointed special courts that had judges, not juries, to hear smuggling cases; colonists were outraged (took away their basic right of trial by jury)

Boycotted British and European goods The Stamp Act taxed printed material in the colonies (newspapers, pamphlets, wills, and playing cards) Colonists opposed / protested because it was passed without consent. (Taxation without Representation) The Sons of Liberty - organized by Samuel Adams, protested by burning effigies, raiding houses of British officials, and marching to protest taxes Boycotted British and European goods

Congress petitioned the king that only their own assemblies could tax the colonies. February 1766, Parliament repealed the Stamp Act. Same day - Declaratory Act of 1766 - allowed Parliament the right to tax and to make decisions for the British colonies “in all cases.”

1767 – Townsend Acts - taxed imported goods (glass, tea, paper, and lead––colonists did not produce had to import) Another boycott The Daughters of Liberty urged Americans to wear homemade fabrics and produce other goods; not buy British products.

British soldiers rude to colonists Boston Massacre March 5, 1770, redcoats fired, killing five colonists. Among the dead was Crispus Attucks, an African American dockworker. led to stronger boycotts Colonial leaders used the killings as propaganda against the British.

Tea Act of 1773 - gave East India Company advantage over colonial merchants; able to ship extra tea to colonies without paying tea taxes. Colonists protested Boston Tea Party - December 1773 Sons of Liberty disguised as Mohawks; threw 342 chests of tea overboard

banned town meetings and forced to house British soldiers Coercive Acts closed Boston Harbor prevented Bostonians from receiving food and other supplies. banned town meetings and forced to house British soldiers colonists renamed acts Intolerable Acts

The Continental Congress - colonial leaders met in September 1774; establish a group to fight for American interests and challenge British rule worked together to draft a statement of grievances form militias, or groups of citizens, colonies would have own armed forces

The First Battles Lexington and Concord – April 1775, Paul Revere had warned “the British are coming” Militia prepared when British arrived Began struggle for Independence from Britain Battle of Bunker Hill June 16, 1775; British won, suffered heavy losses (defeating Americans would not be easy) Patriots – wanted to fight for Independence Loyalists - wanted to remain with Britain

Second Continental Congress Met May 10, 1775 authorized printing of money post office Continental Army; George Washington (commander) formal request to King George III asking for peace and for protection of the colonists’ rights King George III refused this Olive Branch Petition and prepared for war

Declaration of Independence Committee - Jefferson, Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman, and Robert Livingston July 4, 1776 Declaration approved John Hancock; first to sign (large so that the king would have no trouble reading it) Four main sections: the preamble, or introduction a list of the rights list of the grievances proclamation of Independence