Road to Revolution What causes the colonists to revolt against British rule?

Mercantilism (1650s) Idea a nation could increase its wealth How? 1) Get as much gold & silver 2) Sell more goods than you buy British Parliament passes Navigation Acts 1) British ship must be used in all colonial trade 2) Ships had to have a majority British crew 3) Colonial products had to be shipped to England first

: French and Indian War Britain & France at war in Europe (7 Years War) but war comes to America, Britain wants to expand into French Canada Native Americans allied w/ French Colonists join British Army French & Indians ambush British win many key early battles (weakness in British army) British Gen. William Pitt allies with Iroquois & defeats French 1763: Treaty of Paris ends war, gives Britain Canada Proc of 1763 issued: No settlements west of Appalachians

● Sugar Act, 1764 British need money to pay for F & I war Parliament cuts tax on foreign molasses, hoping colonists will pay the tax instead of smuggling it Smugglers lose right to trial by jury if caught smuggling, colonist mad, won’t pay! Tax on documents & printed items (wills, newspapers, etc.) More Problems for Colonists ● Stamp Act, 1765 First direct tax on everyday needs

Sons of Liberty Samuel Adams starts Sons of Liberty: a resistance group in Boston to protest the new laws Townshend Acts British repeal stamp act but pass new act taxing many items never taxed before (glass, ink, paint, paper) S.O.L. slogan “No taxation w/out representation!”, start a boycott of British goods

Boston Massacre Increased presence of soldiers due to protests Soldiers open fire on protestors, kill 5 colonists Paul Revere’s depiction further angers colonists

Every story has two sides. Read two eyewitness accounts of what happened in Boston in Which side seemed more believable to you and why? Look at the engraving by Paul Revere. What side of the story does this show? Could this be propaganda against the British? Why?

Boston Tea Party, 1773 British East India Company losing money on tea. Parliament says they can sell tea in colonies w/o paying taxes Colonists who were selling tea upset, they still have to pay tax Rebels dressed as Indians dump British tea into Boston Harbor (including King George’s personal tea)

Intolerable Acts, 1774 Boston Harbor is shut down Quartering Act: forced colonists to house British soldiers Reduced right of self-government, Mass Assembly suspended Something must be done!

First Continental Congress, delegates meet in Philadelphia, agree colonist have rights If British use force, colonists should fight back Create a militia called the Minutemen

Lexington & Concord British increase number of troops Paul Revere’s famous ride “redcoats are coming” Lexington, MA: British troops kill 8 Minutemen Concord, MA: Minutemen attack British, kill few dozen soldiers

Second Continental Congress: May, 1775 Colonists debate two main issues: 1. Should we declare independence from Britain? 2. Should we work things out with King George? 2 nd Con. Congress tries #2, sends “Olive Branch Petition”. Let’s give the King another Chance I don’t think so rebel scum! King George rejects the peace offer! Bunker Hill: Deadly battle between Minutemen & Red Coats

Declaration of Independence: 1776 Thomas Jefferson – primary author Influenced by Locke’s natural rights, Magna Carta, English Bill of Rights & Common Sense Jefferson writes: People have right to life, liberty & pursuit of happiness & “All Men are Created Equal”. Ratified July 2, 1776 and adopted July 4, 1776