Ch. 6.4 The American Revolution I. Britain and its American Colonies Britain’s population grew from 250,000 to 2.1 million from 1700 to 1770 By the mid-1700’s colonist had been living there for 150 years

I. Britain and its American Colonies 3. The 13 colonies had their own governments and identified with the states 4. Navigation Act of 1651 mandated that all colonist goods be sold to the British

A. Americans Win Independence In 1754 English and French war in the French and Indian War British and Colonist win taking over most of France’s territories in N. America

A. Americans Win Independence 3. British begin to tax the colonist to help pay for the war-war is costly 4. Stamp Act is passed by parliament charging for wills, deeds, newspapers, etc 5. This upsets the colonists because this is passed w/o representation in parliament

B. Growing Hostility Leads to War 1773 to protest the Tea Act colonist overrun a British ship and toss the tea over Sept. 1774 colonist meet in Philadelphia to form the First Continental Congress

B. Growing Hostility Leads to War 3. April 19, 1775 British and the American Militia exchange gunfire at Lexington 4. The Second Continental Congress meets and votes to raise an army and the Revolution begins

C. The Influence of the Enlightenment Colonist felt that the King George III had broken the social contract July 1776 2nd Continental Congress issues the Declaration of Independence written by Thomas Jefferson; based the ideas on John Locke and the Enlightenment Asserted the idea that people had the right to rebel against an unjust ruler

D. Success for the Colonist Colonist find success because of motivation Overconfident British generals made mistakes The colonies were 3,000 miles away

D. Success for the Colonist 4. The war is costly causing the British people to become weary from taxes 5. Louis XVI of France helped the Americans with money and troops

II. Americans Create a Republic A. A Weak National Government 1. The Articles of Confederation is created which only has the legislative branch-Congress 2. Had no power to collect taxes and it took 9 of the 13 states to approve anything

B. A New Constitution 1. Colonial leaders realize that a strong national government is necessary 2. February 1787 Congress approves to revise the Articles of Confederation

B. A New Constitution 3. 1st session is held on May 25th, 1787 with 55 delegates & argue over basic ideas of government for 4 months 4. September 17, 1787 delegates signed the new Constitution