1. The American Revolution
Chapter 2 Section 1
Pgs 46-53

3. Enlightenment Ideas
Philosophical movement emphasizing reason as the most important human ability
John Locke
Believed people possessed natural rights
Life
Liberty
Property
Believed the purpose of government was to protect those rights
Thomas Payne
Wrote Common Sense- pamphlet attacking King George
Locke

4. The Great Awakening
Religious movement focused on individual religious experiences instead of needing leaders to guide them
Sense of equality because everyone could take active role in church
Major factor leading to a sense of freedom and independence
Jonathan Edwards
George Whitefield

5. French and Indian War Colonists unified for first time
Sense of pride not felt before
No need to remain tied to British because the “French Threat” was gone

6. Population Explosion New arrivals Indentured servants Slaves
Births in colonies
Major Factors in Population growth
Clean drinking water
Plenty of food
Good climate
Colonies had elected legislatures which fostered desire for self rule

7. Experience with Self Rule
Salutary Neglect- Colonies left alone as long as economic trade continued
a. Planted seeds of Self-Government
King George
a. Decided to increase taxes on colonists through a series of Acts (laws)
Used to pay war debts

8. Restrictive Laws imposed on Colonies
Stamp Act
Tax on printed documents, newspaper, playing cards
1st direct tax on goods and services
Sons of Liberty
Secret resistance group organized to protect law
Samuel Adams- Leader of Sons of Liberty

9. “No taxation without Representation”
Colonies complaint
“No taxation without Representation”

10. Restrictive Laws imposed on Colonies
Townshend Act
Taxed lead, glass, paint, paper imported from Britain
Tax on tea- most popular drink in Colonies
Parliament repealed all but Tea tax

11. Restrictive Laws imposed on Colonies
Boston Tea Party-1773
British East India Company allowed to sell direct to public without paying extra tax
Hoped Colonist would buy cheaper tea
Sons of Liberty threw tea in Boston Harbor

12. Restrictive Laws imposed on Colonies
Intolerable Act- 1774
Shut Boston Harbor
Quartering Act
Soldiers lived in Colonist houses and vacant buildings
General Thomas Gage
Made Governor of Massachusetts
Imposed Martial Law- the suspension of civil authority and the imposition of military authority

13. Why were these Acts Important?
Strengthened Colonial Unity
Organized 1st Continental Congress
Started preparing for War
Minutemen- Civilian Soldiers ready in a minute
Watch video (in resources section)
“No more Kings”

14. Declaration of Independence
Letter sent to King George explaining why the colonists were separating from England
Thomas Jefferson
Delegate from Virginia
Appointed to Write Declaration of Independence
July 4, 1776
2nd Continental Congress adopted Declaration