1. Ch. 4 Section 2

3.  In the spring of 1772, the British government introduced several new policies that angered American colonists.  Britain sent customs ships to patrol North American waters in order to intercept smugglers.  In 1772 the British customs ship, the Gaspee, ran aground and was seized by colonists and burned.  The British took suspects to England for trial.

4.  Colonists felt this was a violation of their right to a trial by a jury of their peers.  Thomas Jefferson suggests Committees of Correspondence ▪ Colonies should communicate to each other about British activities ▪ Unifies colonies

6.  British East India Company – Almost bankrupt. Lord North, England's Prime Minister, helps them by passing the Tea Act of 1773.  Made the price of Tea from the Company lower than the cost of smuggled Dutch tea. ▪ Angered American merchants

7.  In December 1773, tea ships from the East India Company arrived in Boston Harbor.   Colonists boarded the ship and dumped the tea into the harbor.  ▪ Boston Tea Party.   The Boston Tea Party led to the British passing four new laws called the Coercive Acts.

11.  The Coercive Acts  No right to trial by jury of your peers  No law against quartering troops in your home  The Quebec Act  Stated that a governor and council appointed by the King would control Quebec. ▪ No elections=>colonists angery.

12.  The Quebec Act and the Coercive Acts became known as the Intolerable Acts.  The First Continental Congress met in Philadelphia in 1774. ▪ Wrote a Declaration of Rights and Grievances ▪ Expressed loyalty to King, but condemned the Intolerable Acts. ▪ Also expressed that the colonies were forming a non importation association. (Boycott British goods)

16.  Summer of 1774 – British lost control of the colonies  Colonists raided military outposts for ammo.  Concord creates a special militia, called Minutemen. ▪ Trained and ready for attack at a minutes warning.

18.  The war for independence will not only be between British and English, but also Loyalist and Patriot groups.  Loyalist – Loyal to King ▪ Rich and powerful  Patriot – AKA Whigs, British are tyrants ▪ Poor and without power

21.  On April 18, 1775, British General Gage and his troops set out to seize the militia’s supply depot at Concord.   To get there, they had to pass through Lexington.   Patriots Paul Revere and William Dawes were sent to Lexington to warn the people that the British were coming.  When the British arrived in Lexington, about 70 minutemen were waiting for them. ▪ The British fired at the minutemen, killing 8 and wounding 10.  The British moved on to Concord where they found 400 minutemen waiting for them. ▪ British Retreat

27.  After the battles at Lexington and Concord, Second Continental Congress created.  Create Continental Army, appoint George Washington as head.

31.  The Battle at Bunker Hill resulted in turning back two British advances.  The colonial militia only retreated due to a lack of ammunition.  It was a huge boost to American confidence that the untrained colonials could stand up to the feared British army.

36.  After Bunker Hill, patriots call for American Independence.  In July 1775, the Continental Congress sent a document known as the Olive Branch Petition to the king.  It stated that the colonies were still loyal to King George III and asked the king to call off the army while a compromise could be made. ▪ King George refused to look at the Petition.

38.  Two Loyalist armies were organized to assist the British troops in Virginia.  White Loyalists – feared they would lose their land to patriots.  Enslaved Africans – Promised freedom if they fought for loyalists  In December 1775, the king shut down trade with the colonies and ordered the British navy to blockade the coast.  British begin recruiting mercenaries from Germany.

39.  In January 1776, the persuasive pamphlet called Common Sense, by Thomas Paine, caused many colonists to call for independence from Britain.  On July 4, 1776, a committee of Patriot leaders approved a document written by Thomas Jefferson that became known as the Declaration of Independence.  The American Revolution had begun.