Causes of the American Revolution: Part 3 Objective: How did England’s disregard for colonial complaints lead to the American Revolution?

Introduction Following the passage of the Intolerable Acts, the Colonies came together to form the First Continental Congress where a debate raged on two topics War or Peace As events heated up, the Continental Congress appealed to the King George III for a peaceful solution, but their attempts were ignored With no other option, the founding fathers selected Thomas Jefferson to draft the Declaration of Independence, stating America’s freedom from British rule

Lexington and Concord The intolerable acts placed British General Thomas Gage in control of Massachusetts His main goal: Stop Colonial protests and prevent war Gage learned of a stockpile of colonial weapons, sent troops to Concord, MA to seize them

The most underrated man in American History Lexington and Concord Paul Revere and other members of the Sons of Liberty learn of the plan and alert the militia groups around New England Militia: Citizen Soldiers William Dawes: The most underrated man in American History

Lexington and Concord As the British enter the city of Lexington, 70 militiamen block the path to Concord During the standoff, a shot is fired that causes both sides to begin fighting Colonists retreat, British march on Known as the “Shot heard Round the World” Significance: First shots/battle of the Revolutionary War

Lexington and Concord Once the British arrive in Concord, all the guns have been moved The British march back to Boston, but are attacked by hundreds of angry colonists British Casualties: 250 Colonial Casualties: Less than 100

Second Continental Congress Definition: Meeting of colonial representatives to decide on how to respond to Lexington and Concord Two plans emerge Appoint General George Washington to assemble a Continental Army Write “The Olive Branch petition” to ask for a peaceful resolution The King rejects the Olive Branch petition, leaving the Colonists with one choice: To declare Independence

The Declaration of Independence

The Declaration of Independence Definition: The document signed on July 4, 1776 that officially proclaimed American independence from England The Continental Congress chose Thomas Jefferson to lead the team that was to write the Declaration of Independence Others: John Adams Benjamin Franklin In all 56 representatives sign the Declaration Considered treason, punishable by death

The Declaration of Independence The Declaration was set up into three parts: Part 1: Individual Rights Focused on the colonists right to pursue their rights “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness” Part 2: The Grievances Twenty-seven complaints against the British that cause us to leave Part 3: Official separation Establishes that we are own independent nation Social Contract- The idea that people should follow the laws of government so long as the laws are fair and just.

Who was left out of the Declaration? Minority Group (Non-whites, Women) “All men are created equal” It should have been “all landowning, white, males are created equal” The set up of the American Government THAT’S THE CONSTITUTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!