1. Nicholas Mahfood

2.  There are different reasons for Britain's glory.  The location of England was very good for controlling trade.  England offered a climate favorable to business.  In the 1700’s Britain was usually on the winning sides in European Conflicts.  England's territory expanded closer to home.

3.  By 1750’s Britain had many successful colonial cities along the eastern coat of North America.  Boston, New York and Philadelphia where commercial centers that connected North America to the West Indies, Africa and Europe.  They helped to grow Britain's overseas empire.

4.  Britain considered their colonies as a means to benefit the parent country.  They wanted to export to colonies and reduce importation.

5.  In the colonies wealthy land owners and merchants dominated the government positions.  The colonists wanted the same rights as British citizens.  They formed their own colonial assemblies to make decisions for local affairs.  They started to consider themselves independent of the mother country.

6.  The British government lost a lot of money due to the Seven Years War.  Imposed taxes on the colonist to help pay for the wars.  The Sugar Act in 1764 on imports and the Stamp Act in 1765 on newspapers and pamphlets.  Stamp act revoked in 1766 because colonist said “ No taxation without representation” in parliament.

7.  Angry colonists clashed with British soldiers.  The Boston Massacre took place when five protestors where killed by British soldiers.  Boston Tea Party in 1773 involved the dumping of a cargo of tea into the harbor in protest on the tax of tea.  The continental congress met in Philadelphia to try and agree on how to end the unrest.  Present were George Washington, John Adams and other political people.

8.  War continued between British and colonists and was known as the American Revolution.  British won a lot of the fights but colonists did not give up.  In 1776, the Second Continental Congress declared independence from Britain.  Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence which stood for life, liberty and property as natural rights.

9. The colonists had many disadvantages:  Lack of money  Lack of military expertise  No strategic plan. However they also had some advantages:  They knew the geography of their lands  They had George Washington as a leader  They where determined

10.  This British sided with the Natives.  They promise freedom to enslaved natives who would join their forces.  The turning point in the war came in 1777.  The Americans triumphed over the British.  This victory persuaded France to join up with the Americans to go against its former rival, Britain.  The Treaty of Paris ended the war, giving the United States independence in 1781.

11.  In 1787 the second constitution was written and stated that government must be run by the people for the people.  The people wanted to vote and their first President was George Washington.  The Constitution of America created the most progressive government of its day.  It provided freedom for all.