1. Unit 1: The American Revolution
Federal Unit

2. Goals of the US Constitution
“Make you a better citizen of this country through basic knowledge of the Constitution and government of the United States
“Help you pass the required state and federal constitution text.

3. Colonists an inhabitant of a colony
Early Colonists
Came to America to find freedom
Became very independent and self-sufficient
Initially, England paid little attention to the colonists, therefore they were not controlled by English law and government
Colonies grew and became important centers of trade which led to British imposing restrictions and trade regulations on the colonies

4. Colonists Continued…
Colonists objected to England placing themselves in a favorable position concerning trade with the colonies
Colonists objected to quartering soldiers, taxation without representation in Parliament and lack of true self-government
Sons of Liberty (patriotic group) urged colonists to refrain from purchasing English goods

5. Boston Tea Party Occurred in 1773
Patriots, disguised as Indians threw tons of tea into Boston Harbor
Colonists did not the like the tax policies of the British
A year after the Boston Tea Party, conditions grew worse
Patrick Henry delivered one of the best-known pre-revolutionary speeches

6. Patrick Henry Short Clip “Give me liberty, or give me death”
Patrick Henry Speech
Patrick Henry Short Clip “Give me liberty, or give me death”

7. First Continental Congress
Colonial leaders called a meeting to discuss how to win their rights because they were more interested in fair treatment than in independence
Met at Carpenters’ Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1774.
12 out of the 13 delegates were present. Georgia did not send a delegate, but they agreed to support any plans made.
Delegates sent their complaints to the king, but colonial policy did not change
Colonial leaders imposed an embargo (agreement prohibiting trade) on British trade and goods

8. Second Continental Congress
Met in 1774 in Philadelphia
It assumed powers of a central government
An army and naval were created
George Washington was selected to lead the army
Second Continental Congress led our country for the next 7 years

9. Second Continental Congress Cont.
1775 British soldiers were sent to seize the guns and ammunition of the colonist
British soldiers were sent to arrest colonial leaders Samuel Adams and John Hancock
Paul Revere warned the Minutemen (a member of a class of American militiamen who volunteered to be ready for service at a minute's notice) to meet British soldiers at Lexington
At Lexington, an unidentified shot started the war.
Six years later, the British surrendered to General Washington
at Yorktown, Virginia.
Americans had won their fight for independence