Aim: How did political perspective divide the American Colonies?

Review: Identifying Facts Boston MassacreBoston Tea PartyCurrency ActStamp Act Declaration of RightsDeclaratory ActLexington and Concord Intolerable ActProclamation of 1763Quebec ActSugar Act Townshend Acts 1.) The ___ ordered all settlers to leave the Ohio Valley and return to the established colonies. 2.) The ___ raised the tax on sugar and cloth goods. 3.) The ___ enabled the British government to tax legal and business papers used in America. 4.) The ___ stated that British had control over the colonies in all cases. 5.) The ___ placed new taxes on many items important to the colonists, including glass, paper, and tea. 6.) The ___ extended the Canadian province of Quebec into the Ohio Valley. 7.) British soldiers fired into a crowd of people in an event called the ___. 8.) A group of colonists dressed as Mohawk Indians dumped British tea into a harbor in an event called the ___. 9.) The ___ made it illegal for the colonies to print their own money. 10.) The ___ allowed Great Britain to close the port of Boston to all trade, ban town meetings, house British troops in people’s homes, and require that British soldiers accused of any unlawful act be tried in Great Britain. 11.) The First Continental Congress wrote the ___. 12.) British soldiers and American minutemen fought at ___.

The Second Continental Congress Even after the battles of Lexington and Concord, most colonists still did not favor independence. At the same time, many were ready to use force, if necessary, to defend their rights against the British. The Second Continental Congress met in Philadelphia, in May 1775.

The Congress chose George Washington as the commander of the newly formed Continental army. Took steps to pay for its army by printing paper money. Starting to act like a government...

Petitioning the King Two resolutions passed in July showed the uncertainty of the Congress. The first resolution was the Olive Branch Petition sent to King George III. – Stated that colonists were loyal to the King. – Asked the King to stop all the fighting (between Colonies and Britain) so disputes could be solved peacefully.

Petitioning the King The next day, the Congress passed a tougher statement called the “Declaration of the Causes and Necessities of Taking Up Arms.” – Written in part by Thomas Jefferson, the document stated that the colonists were ready to “die freemen rather than to live as slaves.” The effort to make peace failed.

Loyalists vs. Patriots Essential Questions: 1.Who were Loyalists and who were Patriots? 2.What did Loyalists and Patriots believe?

Loyalists Loyalists were American colonists who remained loyal to the Great Britain They were often referred to as Tories, Royalists, or King's Men by the Patriots Historians estimate that 15% and 20% of the white population were Loyalists Many Loyalists fled the country at the start of the revolution

Who were loyalists? They were older Many were merchants and wealthy Many active in the Church of England were Loyalists Most of the Pennsylvania Dutch were loyalists ◦ They feared their royal land grants would be in danger with a republican form of government About100,000 loyalists left the country after the revolution

Patriots Patriots came from many different backgrounds Most were highly educated and wealthy Support of ordinary men and women (farmers, mechanics, homemakers, and shopkeepers) aided the Patriot cause These middle and lower classes didn’t like their economic situation ◦ Largely due to British taxation

Views of the Patriots Believed British taxes were not "legal“ The colonists were not directly represented in Parliament The British believed in "virtual representation,“ ◦ All members of Parliament represent the interests of all the citizens of the British empire

The Arguments Loyalists Patriots 1.A strong unified British Empire is good for all 2.Colonists are British subjects and should obey British law 3.Taxes are due to French & Indian War which was fought to protect colonies 4.American colonies would be weak without Britain 5.Colonies profit from trade with England 6.Colonies are too far away from England to have representation in Parliament, its just not practical 1.People have rights government can’t take away, like property 2.Taxation takes away property (i.e. – money and goods) 3.Colonists don’t have voice in Parliament, so they can’t tax colonies (No taxation without representation) 4.There’s no way colonies could ever be represented – Parliament’s too far 5.Many colonists fought in the French & Indian War (we’ve done our part) 6.British personnel are causing violence, riots, and death (Boston Massacre & Boston Tea Party)

The year is 1775, you are an American colonists… Are you a loyalist or a patriot. Explain your selection & cite a minimum of two pieces of evidence to support your choice.