1. The American Revolution

2. Causes of the French and Indian War
France’s fur trade expands into the Mississippi Valley
Relies on Natives to capture animals
Everyone wants the Ohio River Valley!
King William’s War leads to border conflicts with French and Spanish
Britain wins Canada
Tension between French and British leads the French to built forts along borders
Are the French preparing for war?
British send a young Colonel George Washington to challenge French forts, and is defeated at Fort Necessity

3. The French and Indian War (1754-1763)
Three phases:
British attempt to stop France from reinforcing Canada while colonists fight of Indian attacks
War expands to Europe, so PM William Pitt issues orders to colonists, military recruitment, seizure of colonial supplies
Relaxing of policies against colonists, control to colonial assemblies, fort Quebec attacked and defeated by British forces

4. Effects of French and Indian War
Peace of Paris
Ascension of King George III to throne
France surrenders
British gain parts of West Indies, Canada, New Orleans (which is given to Spain)
Drain of British treasury
Colonists had worked together against common enemy
Frustration with British government for impressment, seizure, quartering
Proclamation of 1763
To appease Natives, British government forbids colonists from spreading west of Appalachians

5. British-Colonist Tensions
Taxes increased to pay off French-Indian War
Stamp Act, Tea Act, etc.
Salutary neglect
“Taxation without Representation”
Quartering of Troops
Boston Massacre
Boston Tea Party

9. Independence! Enlightenment ideas to justify independence
Demand same rights as people in England
King refused
Justified in rebelling against tyrant who had broken social contract
July 4, 1776: Second Continental Congress issues Declaration of Independence (written by Jefferson)
Based on ideas of Locke (life, liberty, property and responsibility to rebel against unjust ruler)

11. American Revolution
“Patriot” forces led by General George Washington against “Lobsterbacks” or “Redcoats”
Reasons the patriots won:
Defending their homeland
Know the terrain
Britain is overconfident
War was expensive for British
France aids the Americans (enemy of England)
After being weakened at Guilford Courthouse, Cornwallis flees to Yorktown, where he is defeated

15. The Republic of America
Necessity of a central government
“Articles of Confederation” recognize government by representatives, weak central government
Creation of Constitution to allow stronger central government (1787)
Based on ideas of Locke, Montesquieu, and Rousseau
Checks and balances
Bill of Rights
Part of Constitution that protects individual rights
Freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly