ON THE WAY TO THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION “Under the law of nature, all men are born free…..” - Thomas Jefferson

REVIEW GREAT AWAKENING TO ENLIGHTENMENT A shift in ideas that now man can reason, think and discover for himself about God, mankind and the universe. Now start to emphasize man’s FREEDOM.

THE AGE OF REASON is born

Political John Locke (Life, Liberty & Property) A social contract (mutual agreement) that creates a government whose purpose is to protect individuals rights.

Economic Wealth of Nations Adam Smith - Wealth of Nations said government shouldn’t interfere w/ business. Also society should have private property, free enterprise and profit. Laissez-faire …hands off!!!

Intellectual Ben Franklin & Benjamin Banneker - Observation and experiment. Scientific approach. Natural Laws. Galileo & Copernicus.

Religion Thomas Paine - Morals could be determined by reason and natural law instead of religious authorities.

Salutary Neglect & Mercantilism Wanted more money coming in than going out. So they need to regulate/control trade. Pass laws!!! England didn’t enforce them (SN) and the colonies benefited. Smuggling, evading laws, bribery and triangular trade helped the colonies get used to free trade…..until the French & Indian War and 1763!!!!

The French & Indian War England and France fight 4 wars over 7 years to gain control of Eastern North America and expand their global empires. Large part of the war was regarding the Ohio River Valley. Native American tribes sided w/ the French. WHY? Iroquois didn’t! The colonist…of course….helped England because they were citizens. George Washington is a hero!

Fr & I war cont’d. Quebec falls to England/Britain •France lost war and race for North America. •Treaty of Paris gives: -England - Canada & lands east of the Mississippi River from France. -Spain - west of the Mississippi River & New Orleans from France. -England - Florida from Spain.

Questions arise. What about the Native Americans Questions arise!!! What about the Native Americans??? Shouldn’t the colonists get to move into the new land, since they helped fight the war and they were getting crowded?

CHANGE COMES FOR THE COLONIES!!!! England needs to pay for the war and the colonies are expected to help……. The Navigation Acts and mercantilism are enforced. (Buy/sell for benefit of England) The Proclamation of 1763 kept the colonists out of the new land to protect them from indian attacks British troops to stay in the frontier to protect…the colonists paying 1/3 the cost!!!

Next step…revolution Quick preview of the causes! England’s neglect & power Taxation w/o representation Limiting individual rights Mercantilism Trade restrictions Economic power Colonists use of free enterprise