The Struggle for Independence The Connecticut Adventure – Chapter 5

Early Signs of Trouble The colonists helped England fight against France and American Indians during the French and Indian War. The war was expensive and England wanted the colonists to help pay for it. The Sugar Act was passed, which taxed sugar and molasses. The colonists were angry that they had to pay.

Loyalists and Patriots Not all colonists wanted to break away from England. Loyalists were loyal to the king and wanted to stay with England. Patriots wanted independence from England and helped to fight against the British.

Stamp Act The British made colonists pay for special paper. The paper was used for everything, so the colonists had to pay. Colonists were not allowed to send representatives to vote in Parliament in England. Colonists felt they shouldn’t be taxed since they couldn’t vote. “No taxation without representation!”

Boston Tea Party Colonists were angry about the tea tax. After an argument at the customs house in Boston, British soldiers fired their guns and killed five men (known as the Boston Massacre). In Boston, colonists dressed up like American Indians and dumped British tea into the harbor.

Sons of Liberty The Sons of Liberty were secret group that protested the British taxation of the colonists.

Jonathan Trumbull Governor of Connecticut Nicknamed “Brother Jonathan” Helped George Washington’s army by sending food, supplies, and troops

George Washington General George Washington was the leader of the colonial army

Thomas Jefferson Wrote the Declaration of Independence On July 4, 1776, delegates from all 13 colonies signed the Declaration

Nathan Hale A schoolteacher Became a spy for the colonists Caught by British and hanged “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.” Connecticut state hero!

Israel Putnam Member of the Sons of Liberty Helped the starving people of Boston after the Tea Party by bringing sheep to feed them

David Bushnell An inventor Studied at Yale Created the first submarine ever used in battle It was called the TURTLE because of its look in the water

Benedict Arnold Captain Benedict Arnold from Norwich was a hero early in the war He captured British forts and led brave attacks He was put in charge of a fort in New York where he became friends with a British leader The British offered Arnold a lot of money if he turned over the fort and he did! This made him a traitor!

The Revolutionary War Started in 1775 Was also called the War of Independence Began as a war between Britain and the thirteen colonies Colonists were upset about the taxes imposed by the British. They thought the taxes were unfair.

The War Continues The colonists formed the Continental Congress. The colonists boycotted taxed British tea which lead to the Boston Tea Party. The British responded by ending self government in Massachusetts and putting the colony under the control of the British army.

An End to the war The colonies and Britain could not reach a compromise. The colonies declared their independence from Britain on July 4, 1776. Other countries including France also went to war with Britain. The war ended in 1783.

Connecticut’s Part in the War Connecticut was nicknamed the Provisions State because it gave so many supplies to the war effort. Connecticut sent food, clothing, gun powder, weapons and troops. Connecticut farmers even gave their livestock to feed hungry soldiers.

Slaves in the War Some slaves fought in the Revolutionary War. As a reward many were freed after the war. Even though they were free, they did not have the same rights as white men.

Let’s Review Why were the colonists angry with the British? Who was the leader of the colonial army? Who is our state hero? Who were the Sons of Liberty? Explain the difference between loyalists and patriots.

Let’s Review What reward do slaves get for fighting in the war? What supplies did CT provide for the Revolutionary War? What nickname was CT given for the supplies that they sent? Who was the governor of CT? What was the “American Turtle”?