The American Revolution

The 13 Colonies V.S. Great Britain V.S.

The 13 Colonies were part of Britain’s growing empire These 13 Colonies would soon go to war with one of the most powerful nations in the world, Great Britain and King George III.

King George III of Britain In 1760, King George III began a 60-year reign. He appointed friends to parliament and soon began to assert is leadership. Many of his policies proved to be disastrous.

Causes of the American Revolution The Navigation Acts The French and Indian War and the War Debt The Sugar Act The Stamp Act The Tax on Tea The Boston Tea Party The Boston Massacre

The Navigation Acts Britain used the Navigation Acts as a way to make money off the colonies. The Acts regulated colonial trade and Manufacturing Therefore, activities such as smuggling were common. People like John Hancock smuggled tea and other goods into the colonies

The French and Indian War—The War Debt The French and Indian War in North America had drained the British Treasury dry, and the British called for the colonist to help pay for the war. Colonist refused. King George III and parliament forced colonist to pay through a series of Taxes.

The French wanted to take over the British Colonies because they were strategically located on the East Cost, Indians (Native Americans) backed the French and helped to try and remove the British Colonists.

Pair Share Do you think it was fair for the British to ask Colonist to help pay the war debt due to the French and Indian War?

The Sugar and Stamp Acts The first of the taxes enacted was the Sugar Act in 1764—this imposed a tax on all imports into the colonies. The Stamp Act was a tax placed on all written documents such as newspapers, wills, pamphlets, books, etc. in 1765. Sugar Act—External Tax Stamp Act—Internal Tax

Taxation without Representation The Colonist Protested—they believed that because the had no representatives in Parliament, they should not be taxed. This became the battle cry of the Patriots.

Pair Share Do you believe that the idea of Taxation without Representation and the taxes in general were reasons enough to go to war? Why or why not?

The Tax on Tea and the Boston Tea Party The British also put a Tax on Tea. The Colonist boycotted British Tea and purchased smuggled Tea. Then in December of 1773 a group of Colonist dressed up like Indians and threw cargos of tea into Boston Harbor, this was know as the Boston Tea Party.

The Boston Tea Party

The Boston Massacre In March of 1770, British soldiers opened fire on a crowd that was throwing snowballs with stones in them at the soldiers. The death of five protesters was called the Boston Massacre. The Boston Tea Party and Boston Massacre both led to growing discontent.

The picture in the papers that was used to gather support for the American Revolution

Pair Share The Boston Massacre was a tipping point in American support for the revolution to come. Do you believe that this is the reason the revolution began or was the American Revolution inevitable? Why or Why not?

Declaring Independence April 1775, the ongoing conflict erupted into war in Lexington and Concord, in Massachusetts. The American Revolution had begun. On July 4, 1776 the Colonist officially declared their independence in the Declaration of Independence when it was signed and sent to King George III.

The Declaration of Independance “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights…”

Pair Share What did the Declaration of Independence declare and why was it so important? Would you have been willing to sign the Declaration? Why or Why not?

American Revolution

The Revolution Continues Defeats and Victories Washington moved the Continental Army to New York, where General Howe attacked. The British took control of New York City and Washington’s troops were forced into Pennsylvania. British troops settled down in New Jersey for the winter. Washington ignored traditional European warfare tactics and attacked in winter while the British and Hessians (hired German soldiers) slept. Washington drove the British out of Princeton. Saratoga and its Aftermath Two British generals tried to cut off New England from the rest of the colonies by attacking from two sides. One general did not show up, and the colonists attacked and defeated the other’s troops in Saratoga, New York. The Battle of Saratoga turned the Revolutionary War in the colonists’ favor. Washington’s troops retired to Valley Forge in Pennsylvania, where a harsh winter and lack of supplies killed many.

American Victory The colonists, helped by Lafayette’s French troops, forced the British to Yorktown Peninsula in Chesapeake Bay. Cornwallis built a fort and waited for the British to rescue them. Washington saw his chance and blocked British ships from rescuing Cornwallis’s troops. After bombardment by land and sea, Cornwallis surrendered on behalf of the British. The Battle of Yorktown was the last major battle of the Revolutionary War. Though some hoped that America would remain part of the British Empire, the September 3, 1783, Treaty of Paris formalized America’s independence from Britain.

Four Reasons why America Won Americans were more motivated. British generals were over confident and made several mistakes. Time, fighting an overseas war was expensive for the British. French helped the U.S. win the war.

The U.S. Constitution After victory, the 13 states ratified the Constitution. In 1781, the 1st constitution was created and called the Articles of Confederation. The Articles had many problems. In 1787, the U.S. Constitution was created and replaced the Articles…The Preamble, 7 Articles, Bill of Rights.

The Constitution

Pair Share The U.S. Constitution is one of the most important documents if not the most important in the world. Why is it? Also, in your opinion what is the most important right listed in the Bill of Rights? Why?