1. The American Revolution

2. Britain and it’s American Colonies Large and thriving cities along the east coast Huge increase in population and prosperity Had their own government Became less British more as Virginians or Pennsylvanians

3. Navigation Act 1651 – British Parliament passes a trade law Prevented colonists from selling their most valuable products to any country except Britain Had to pay high taxes on imported goods

4. French and Indian War 1754 – War over territory in North America France lost all of their territories to GB This victory led to growing tensions between Britain and its colonists

5. Americans Win Independence During the war, GB caused a lot of debt! Expected colonists to help pay for the war Parliament passed the Stamp Act Colonists had to pay a tax to have an official stamp put on wills, deeds, newspapers, and other printed material American colonists were outraged!!!

6. Outraged! Never paid taxes directly to the British gov’t before Violates natural rights “taxation without representation”

7. Growing Hostility leads to War Independence Boston Tea Party First Continental Congress  Met in Philadelphia  Representatives from all colonies except Georgia  Protested the closing of Boston  King didn’t pay any attention  Second Continental Congress

8. The Start of the American Rev April 1775, American Militia and British soldiers exchanged gunfire in Lexington, Mass. The fighting quickly spread SCC voted to raise an army and organize battle George Washington - commander

9. The Influence of the Enlightenment Colonial leaders used ideas of the E to justify independence Same political rights as those in Britain Justified in rebelling against a tyrant who had broken the social contract

10. The Declaration of Independence July 1776 SCC issued the Declaration of Independence Written by Thomas Jefferson  Based on ideas of John Locke  Reflected ideas of E and natural rights  Included a long list of the king’s wrong doings

11. Success for the Colonists War Reasons that explain the colonists’ success  Motivation  Overconfident British generals made several mistakes  Time  Expensive for British  French help

12. Americans Create a Republic 13 states ratified a constitution in 1781 Recognized the need for an organized government Articles of Confederation Weak government Each state – one vote in congress Passing new laws – 9 out of the 13 states had to agree

13. A new constitution February 1787 Congress approved a Constitutional Convention to revise the Articles of Confederation Used ideas from Enlightenment era

14. The Federal System Three separate branches – legislative, executive, and judicial Checks and balances Federal system – divided powers between national and state governments

15. The Bill of Rights September 17 th, 1787 – new Constitution was signed Supporters of the Constitution – FEDERALISTS Disagreed with the Const – ANTIFEDERALISTS  Feared there was too much central power  No protection of individual rights

16. The Bill of Rights In order to gain support, the Federalists promised to add the Bill of Rights to the Const. First 10 Amendments  Protected basic rights  Freedom of speech, press, assembly, religion  Optimism views from Voltaire, Rousseau, and Locke are being advocated and put to use

17. On your own… Answer this:  Do you think the American Revolution would have happened if there had not been an Age of Enlightenment?  Must give 3 reasons to support your answer  Must be at least ½ page long  Turn it in the box before you leave