1. “No Taxation Without Representation!” The Road to Revolution

2. Britain Needs CASH King George III needed money because:
England had debt from the French and Indian War.
It cost a lot of money to govern the colonies
Prime Minister George Grenville believed the colonists should pay more for governing them.

4. Proclamation Line
This act banned Americans from settling in lands west of the Appalachian Mountains
Created to stop conflict between the colonists and American Indians.
Colonist not happy.

5. Quartering Act of 1765
Colonists were to provide food and housing for British troops in their colony.
England sent 10,000 soldiers to the colonies to keep peace on the frontier.
Most of the soldiers were stationed in NY and Boston.
Upset the colonists!

6. Stamp Act Stamp Act was Repealed in 1766 1765 was passed by Parliament
Tax on newspapers, almanacs, playing cards, & all legal papers…
RESULTS:
Son’s of Liberty formed & threatened collectors.
Boycott British Goods.
Stamp Act was Repealed in 1766

12. Townshend Acts
Taxed manufactured goods shipped to the colonies.
Examples: Paper, Glass, & Paints
Also a Tax on Tea.
Tax Collectors had writs of assistance allowing them to search colonists homes and business for smuggled goods.

13. Boston Massacre
In March 1770, a mob of people protested against the large British soldier presence in Boston.
Five Bostonians are killed in musket fire from British troops
Paul Revere creates an engraving that is used as propaganda (he is probably not even at the scene…)
Two soldiers guilty of manslaughter & branded on the thumb

17. The Tea Act
In 1773, Parliament passed the Tea Act to help the struggling the East India Tea Company.
A small tax was placed on tea.
Colonists could only purchase tea from the East India Tea Company.
A monopoly…
The Colonists again respond…
Boston Tea Party in December 1773

21. England Responds
England responds to the Boston Tea Party by writing the Intolerable Acts in 1774
Closed Boston Harbor
Forced colonists to pay for lost tea
Forced colonists to clean Boston Harbor
Took control of Massachusetts government

22. First Continental Congress
A Committee had been created to keep revolutionaries in touch throughout the colonies.
In 1774, they met in Philadelphia.
The 1st Continental Congress decided to unite together against the Intolerable Acts.
Not meant to be a threat to England- they remained “loyal” to King George III, but wanted the Intolerable Acts repealed (letter sent to King George III)

24. The Revolution Begins
Bostonians enraged as a result of the Intolerable Acts.
Patriots formed militias: Minute Men
Parliament declares Massachusetts in a state of rebellion.
England sent troops to capture the Minute Men & take their weapons.
Paul Revere, William Dawes, and Sam Prescott rode through the countryside to warn others.

25. The Revolution Begins Fighting broke out in Lexington & Concord
Who fired first???
Only handful of American & British troops were killed in the battle of Lexington.
But, during the British march back to Boston, local colonists fired on the British causing a total of 273 casualties (100 American losses)
The War had begun!

26. Bunker Hill Colonial Forces surrounded British forces in Boston.
The British attacked the Colonials at Breed’s Hill
On the 3rd attempt the Brits took the hill
Brits suffered heavy (800) casualties in the victory

27. The Second Continental Congress
When the 2nd Congress met in May 1775, it had inherited a war
Created a “Continental Army”- men were volunteers for a few months
At the urging of John Adams, George Washington named commander
Major debates and arguments took place because many Members of Congress still wanted to stay British Colonies

28. The Second Continental Congress
The Congress acted much like a regular government:
Took command of the army
Printed money
Opened diplomacy with Indians
Took control of the post office
Did NOT pass laws…

29. The Declaration of Independence
In May 1775, Congress names a committee of five to prepare a declaration that would explain America’s position to the world.
Thomas Jefferson draft stated we deserved independence on the ground of “self evident truths” including a right to “life, Liberty & the pursuit of happiness”
Also included accusations of King George III as a tyrant.

32. Independence John Adams to his wife, Abigail:
“This date will be the most memorable epoch in this history of America.”
The date?---July 2, 1776.
July 2 is the date that Congress agreed to break from England & declare independence
Why do we celebrate July 4th?

33. July 4:
On July 4th, Congress adopted & signed the Declaration of Independence & ordered it to be printed
But, America had been independent for 2 days!