1. The American Revolution

2. Do Now 1. List three things that angered the American colonists.
2. What was the response of the colonists to the injustices of England?
3. What did the Coercive Acts of 1774 do?

3. DNWTD
Most people thought of fighting the British for the purpose of defending their rights
Most rejected fighting for independence

4. First Continental Congress (1774)
55 delegates from 12 colonies
Agenda  How to respond to the Coercive Acts, intolerable acts, etc..?
Decide to use boycotts and other protests

5. The War Begins
April 19, 1775 war erupted in Lexington and Concord (West of Boston)
British troops were attacked when they tried to arrest people for stockpiling weapons
Militia (patriots) killed 200 British soldiers

6. A call to Arms

7. The Second Continental Congress (1775)
Announced the decision to declare Independence!!
Thomas Jefferson was the main author

8. Declaration of Independence (1776)

9. Independence Hall

10. Reasons for the Declaration of Independence
Governments must be:
Representative of the people
Limited in power by recognition of human rights
When a government abuses its power, the people have a right to overthrow it

11. Grievances against the King
Dissolving colonial assemblies
Keeping British troops in the colonies
Imposing taxes without consent

12. Loyalists vs. Patriots
Loyalists- Colonists who were loyal to the British Crown
1/5 of the colonists remained loyal
Most were wealthy elitists

13. Thomas Paine: Common Sense

14. Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense”
Set forth arguments for American Independence
Said it made no sense for a small island kingdom like G.B. to rule a larger America