The American Revolution 1775-1781 The American Revolution

CAUSES of the War PROCLAMATION OF 1763 This gave control of the land that was once New France to the Native Americans. The colonists were mad because they wanted to live and hunt there.

CAUSES of the War TAXES The French and Indian War was expensive, and the King made the colonists pay for it. They paid taxes on everything from paper to tea. The colonists did not have any say in the decisions on new taxes. That made the colonists mad.

CAUSES of the War NO REPRESENTATION The colonists were ruled by governors that King George III chose. The colonists had their own legislature (people that made laws) but the King still had control This made them mad.

Before the WAR Boston Massacre, 1770 Boston Tea Party, 1773 Colonists got angry with some of the King’s soldiers and threw stuff at them. The soldiers shot and killed some of the colonists. Boston Tea Party, 1773 A group of angry colonists dumped the King’s tea into the harbor. This made the King mad, and he sent more soldiers.

Before the WAR Battles at Lexington and Concord, 1775 British soldiers were sent to capture John Hancock and Sam Adams. Paul Revere and William Dawes rode to Lexington to warn them. The colonists protected themselves against the British soldiers and a fight broke out.

The WAR On April 19, 1775, war broke out between the colonies and the British. Most battles were fought to the east of the Appalachian Mountains. George Washington led the Continental Army. His army nearly froze to death during the winter at Valley Forge.

During the War On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress (the government of the colonists) signed the Declaration of Independence. This document stated that the colonies were now a new country called the United States of America. This was also a declaration of war.

Michigan CONNECTION Most of the settlers in Michigan were loyal to the King. British Commander Henry Hamilton used Fort Detroit for supplies. Many Native Americans helped Hamilton’s troops attack the colonies. The British had control of the Great Lakes, and moved Ft. Michilimackinac to Mackinac Island. In 1779, American troops prepared to attack Fort Detroit, but captured Hamilton before they got there. They were able to take over Fort Detroit. After that, the Native Americans stopped helping.

After the WAR The Treaty of Paris was signed in 1783, and the King gave up control of all the land east of the Mississippi River. However, the Treaty of Paris did nothing to protect the rights of the Native Americans. Also, the British refused to leave Ft. Mackinac! They stayed until 1796! The rest of Michigan became American territory, and many people began moving west.

The End Photographs were found at Bing.com Resources include: http://www.schooltube.com/video/072414d2ee454bf191f5/Acts-Leading-to-American-Revolutionary-War http://library.thinkquest.org/11683/High.html http://www2.lhric.org/pocantico/revolution/revolution.htm http://library.thinkquest.org/TQ0312848/timeline.htm http://havefunwithhistory.com/HistorySubjects/AmericanRevolution.html http://www.mrnussbaum.com/amflash.htm Michigan, Macmillan/McGraw-Hill, New York, 2007.