2-2 Uniting for Independence

Objectives Relate how the colonist united against British Laws, leading to the Declaration of Independence

Colonist and Britain   The colonist remained loyal to Britain in exchange for some self rule and protection from the French Although Britain regarded the American colonies largely as a source of economic benefits, it allowed them limited self- government.

Paying for the French and Indian War King George III and his ministers made the colonies help pay for the war by levying new taxes on the colonists. The first direct tax placed on the colonist was the Stamp Act

French and Indian War The British government tightened its control over the colonies after the French and Indian wars. The French and Indian War was the defeat of the French in America

Why were the colonist upset Harsh British policies and taxes helped unite the colonies revenue is the money collected by the government The colonist revolted because of the government without representation

Protesting To protest British policies, the colonists sent petitions to the king and also organized committees of correspondence. The Boston Tea party closed Boston Harbor

Continental Congress The First Continental Congress held in Philadelphia in 1774 debated what the colonies should do about their relationship with Britain. When the Second Continental Congress met in 1775, fighting had begun and Congress acted as a central government to carry on the Revolution. The President of the Second Continental Congress was John Hancock

Thomas Paine Thomas Paine’s wrote a pamphlet called Common Sense This pamphlet state that it was common sense that the colonist should separate from Britain and it strengthened the independence movement.

Events that Led to the Declaration of Independence Stamp Act Intolerable Acts Quartering Acts Townshend Acts Boston Massacre Currency Act Common Sense

Thomas Jefferson Thomas Jefferson was a delegate at the first and second continental congress. He was asked to draft the Declaration of Independence in 1776. He based the declaration upon John Locke’s ideas.

The Declaration of Independence The Declaration had three parts: a statement of purpose, including a description of basic human rights; a list of specific complaints against King George III; a statement of the colonists’ determination to separate from Great Britain.

Key Ideas By the end of 1776, 10 states had adopted written constitutions, which were based on 1. consent of the governed 2. limited government, 3. The protection of individual rights.