Unit 2 Chapter 5 Section 3: The American Revolution World history

Main Idea Enlightenment ideas led to revolution, independence, and a new government for the United States

Question Column What were some of the causes of change and crisis in the American colonies? How was the struggle for independence affected by Enlightenment concepts? How did American colonists form a new government? see slides 3 & 4 “forming a new identity” & “opposing briish policies” see slides 6 “declaring independence” see slides 8 & 9 “articles of confederation” & “the constitution”

Forming a New Identity from 1600s to 1170, English North American colonies grew to over 2.1 million people colonies offered cheap land, class system was absent, allowing individuals to advance quickly after 150 years as colonies, people identified with their colony more than Britain

Opposing British Policies Britain imposed new taxes on the colonies as a result of the French and Indian War in 1763 1765: Stamp Act-tax on official documents that were stamped, repealed in 1766 1767: new taxed on glass, paper, tea. Merchants threatened to boycott, Britain sent in troops 1770: Boston Massacre 1773: Sons of Liberty caused Boston Tea Party, British closed port, passed Intolerable Acts 1774: First Continental Congress called in Philadelphia to list grievances

Revolution Begins Sons of Liberty prepared for war April 19,1775: British troops confronted militiamen at Lexington Jan. 1776: Thomas Paine’s Common Sense helped the patriot cause

Declaring Independence 1776: during Second Continental Congress, committee formed to write Declaration of independence John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin were familiar with Enlightenment concepts Jefferson wrote the draft, adopted by Continental Congress on July 4, 1776.

The Revolutionary War June 1775: George Washington assigned commanding general of the army June 1775: British evacuated Boston Battle of Long Island: Wash defeated Trenton: British defeated 1777: Philadelphia fell to British, Wash in Valley Forge 1777: British defeated at Saratoga next 2 years American forces strengthen British attempt to divide colonies in two Sept 1781 Cornwallis surrounded at Yorktown, Virginia October 19, 1781: Britain surrenders Sept 1783: Treaty of Paris recognizes U.S. independence

Articles of Confederation 1781: first U.S. government before the constitution no power to tax, or to negotiate with other governments national government too weak to govern effectively

The Constitution 1787: delegates met in Philadelphia at a Constitutional Convention to revise Articles George Washington presided, but James Madison played leading role Constitution created a federal system of government, dividing power Enlightenment influenced

The Bill of Rights Constitution failed to protect rights of citizens first 10 amendments did this Rights advocated by Voltaire, Locke, Rousseau freedom of speech, religion, due process