causes of the american revolution -...
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T H E R O A D T O I N D E P E N D E N C E
Causes of the American Revolution
Objectives: • I can describe the events that led to the outbreak of the American Revolution• I can analyze and evaluate the effects of British economic policies on the
colonies leading up to the American Revolution.• I will be able to compare and contrast different perspectives – Colonists’ vs.
Britain’s Point of view on the events leading to the outbreak of war.• I can summarize the main cause of the American Revolution.
Essential Questions:• What events/policies/laws created tension between the colonists and the
British?• How did the colonists react to these policies?• Evaluate the impact these policies had.
Bell Ringer
What causes people to rebel?
Have you ever rebelled against a policy or rule? Explain.
What do you think the term “Salutary Neglect” means?
Discuss it within your group and form an answer.
Review
Colony – A settlement set up and ruled by people from another country.
Britain established the 13 Colonies in North America New England Colonies Middle Colonies Southern Colonies
Mercantilism: A nation can become rich and powerful in two
ways: 1. By obtaining Gold and Silver 2. By establishing a favorable balance of trade in
which it sold more goods than it bought Key to achieving a favorable balance of trade
was establishing colonies.• Colonies provided Raw Materials thus the
Mother Country would not have to buy them from other countries.
• The Mother Country would then sell finished products to their colonies as well.
Britain was importing raw materials from the colonies and then selling the manufactured (finished) goods back to the colonies
Problem - Colonists began to sell raw materials to other countries England saw this as a treat to their strength
Navigation Acts
1651 – England passes the Navigation Acts
They greatly restricted colonial trade:
No country could trade with the colonies unless the goods were shipped in either colonial or English Ships
All vessels had to be operated by crews that were at least three-quarters English or colonial
The colonies could export certain products, including tobacco , rice, sugar, molasses, and furs only to England
Almost all goods traded between the colonies and Europe first had to pass through an English port
Allowed England to tax the goods ; making them money off of trade.
Salutary Neglect
Salutary Neglect
During the 1600s, there was a lack of management of the American Colonies by Britain.
Allowed Americans to become more Independent
Example – Navigation Acts were not really enforced; Colonies traded goods with other countries illegally.
Example - Colonies established their own governments .
The Enlightenment The Great Awakening
Philosophical movement that called for using reason and science to find the truth
Began in Europe and spread to the Colonies through books and pamphlets
Benjamin Franklin was a leader of this movement
Had two important effects: The idea that people have natural rights
that governments must respect. This challenged the authority of the British rulers
The movement’s emphasis on science as a source of truth weakened the authority of the church
Led by Jonathan Edwards, a preacher
Great Awakening – Religious Revival
It brought many colonists, Native Americans, and African Americans into churches for the first time
Effect on the Revolution: It stressed emotion and the importance of
the individual Caused people to question authority
Background
The French and Indian War
Causes: Both Britain and France wanted to
expand their colonies
**Disputes over the Ohio River Valley**
The French had established a fort in that region
George Washington led troops to drive them out
He was defeated
French had the help of Native Americans• Trade Relations
• Natives resented Britain
Marked the beginning of the War
The French and Indian War
Who’s Fighting? France and Native Americans vs. Britain (Colonists included)
The War Aka The Seven Years War
Early Years of War – France was Winning
Used Guerilla Warfare – Strike Hard and Fast, then retreat
Britain’s King appoints William Pitt to lead the military
Turns the tide of War
Aligns Britain with the Iroquois (Native Americans)
Battle of Quebec (1759) – Britain defeats France
Wins the War
Role of the Colonists
They are Fighting for Britain
Benjamin Franklin created the 1st Political Cartoon in America
Used to gain and encourage the colonies to unite against the French
Will be used to gain support in the American Revolution
The French and Indian War
Effects:
What was the name of the Treaty.
The Treaty of Paris (1763) is signed. It officially ended the French and Indian War.
What did Britain get? Britain got: Canada, all the land east of the Mississippi River, and Florida.
What did the colonists feel they were entitled to?
The British colonists felt that they have earned the right to settle in the Ohio River Valley since they helped fight the war.
What were the problems? Britain needs to pay off the war debt. Native Americans were not consulted in the Treaty – Upset about losing their land.
Jigsaw Activity
In your groups: Read and examine the placard and picture carefully.
Discuss what happened in the event represented on the placard.
Provide a Description/Summary on your graphic organizer notes.
Discuss with your group Britain’s rational for the policy/event and complete that portion of your notes.
Then discuss the colonists’ rational for their reaction to the policy/event and complete that portion of your notes.
You will be given 5 minutes per round.
Once time is called, you will pass the placard to the next group and repeat the activity for the new card.
The Proclamation Line of 1763
British passed to ease problems with Native Americans
Prohibited colonists from settling west of the Appalachian Mountains Upset Colonists – Argued
it kept them from settling more land – land they helped win
British Troops were also sent to the colonies for protection
To enforce the Proclamation Line
10,000 English soldiers stayed in the colonies
To save the King money the colonists had to house the soldiers in their homes or pay for them to be housed
The Quartering Act (1765)
Taxes
Tax: money collected by the government to fund the government
Parliament (The British Government) is in Debt!
French and Indian War
Decided to tax the colonies to help pay for the war
Sugar Act (1764)
It cut the import taxes on foreign made molasses Done in hopes the colonists would pay a lower tax rather than
risk arrest by smuggling
It placed a tax on certain imported goods that had not been taxed before.
It strengthened the enforcement of smuggling laws by establishing a new court – The Vice-Admiralty Court. Judge decided cases, not Jury
Meant that accused Colonists faced a greater chance of being found guilty.
The Stamp Act (1765)
Act required colonists to buy and place stamps on all documents and printed items
All Contracts
All Diplomas
All Wills
All Newspapers
All Legal Documents
First tax to effect the colonists directly because it was placed on everyday goods
Colonies Responded by…
Boycotting – Refused to buy English Goods
Protesting – “No Taxation Without Representation”
Resisting - Bought Goods from Smugglers
Publishing –Political Cartoons, Letters, Pamphlets, Poems
Secret Societies – Groups like the Sons of Liberty were formed to protest the taxes. Led By Samuel Adams
The Stamp Act was repealed in 1766 due to all the protests
What are they doing?
Tar and Feathering
Forcing Tea down tax collectors throat
Caning (hitting with stick)
Who are they?
Who do you think created this cartoon?
The Townshend Acts (1767)
The Laws passed taxes on even more imports:
Lead
Paper
Glass
Paint
Tea
This act also allowed British troops to search any house, building, or ship for smuggled goods.
The Boston Massacre (1770)
1,000 soldiers came to Boston because of the riots
Townsmen and soldiers yelled insults to each other
A fight broke out
Soldiers started shooting into the fight
5 townsmen died, including Crispus Attucks, first African American to die
Boston Massacre, 1770
Colonists started the fight
British soldiers were defending themselves
Samuel Adams (leader of The Sons of Liberty) named it the Boston Massacre –He used the incident to get more people angry and the British.
Five colonists were killed.
Results – Britain repealed the Townsend Acts except for….
Tea Act (1773)
Britain kept the tax on tea to prove they still had the power to tax the colonies.
Tea was the most important beverage in the colonies during this time
1773 - Parliament then gave the British East India Company control of all tea trade in America
Angered Colonists because they lost the tea business
Boston Tea Party
Colonists, dressed as Indians, boarded three British ships full of tea.
The colonists dumped all the tea into the harbor; about 90,000 pounds.
Angered King George III
To punish Massachusetts, Parliament passed a new set of laws/acts.
The Intolerable Acts
These laws were passed to punish the colonists for the Boston Tea Party.
Britain closed Boston Harbor (Port)
No ships could enter or leave the harbor until the tea was paid for
Boston was put under martial law (military rule)
British soldiers were sent to keep order
Colonists had to house and take care of the soldiers
The First Continental Congress (1774)
Met to discuss the actions of Britain and the colonists’ next move.
Held in Philadelphia
They drew up a declaration of colonial rights Demanded that colonies be
allowed to run their own affairs Banned all trade with England
and repealed Intolerable Acts in the Colonies
Set up Militias (Citizen soldiers) Minutemen – should be ready at a
minutes notice
“The Shot Heard Round the World”
Minutemen stored guns and ammunition in secret hiding places
1775 – British marched to Concord, Massachusetts to seize the weapons
Paul Revere rode ahead of the troops on his horse and warned people that the British were headed to Concord.
“The British are Coming! The British are Coming!”
A group of armed minutemen met the troops as the reached the town of Lexington, Massachusetts.
“The Shot Heard Round the World”
During this meeting, someone fired a shot…
The British soldiers responded by shooting into the crowed of minutemen. Several minutemen were
killed
British suffered only one casualty
Battle lasted 15 minutes
British soldiers then marched to Concord They could not find any
weapons
On their way back to Boston, between 3,000 and 4,000 minutemen attacked them. Dozens of British soldiers
are killed
“The Shot Heard Round the World”
The first two battles of the American Revolution were fought at Lexington and Concord.
“The Shot Heard Around the World”
The Colonists are rebelling against Britain, their Mother Country This is the first time this is taking place in HISTORY!
It sets a precedent
Colonies could overthrow their imperial powers and establish their own state with its own structure of government
Once “America” is successful, colonial rebellions start to take place throughout the world
Examples:
France
Mexico
Haiti
Venezuela
Brazil
The Second Continental Congress (1775)
Met in Philadelphia to discuss the next move of the colonists.
Appointed George Washington as the commander of the new Continental Army
Discussed Independence
Olive Branch Petition
Although Colonists were preparing for war, they hoped for peace
Some colonists still felt loyal to Britain
July 1775, the Continental Congress sent King George III a peace offer – The Olive Branch Petition Wanted to return “the former harmony” between Britain and the
Colonies
King George rejected the petition and issued a proclamation stating that the colonies were in rebellion
He also urged Parliament to order a naval blockade of the American coast
Common Sense
Pamphlet written by Thomas Paine
Encouraged colonists to declare independence from Britain
Read by many people throughout the colonies
The Declaration of Independence
The United States first needed to actually “declare” independence from Great Britain
Thomas Jefferson wrote The Declaration of Independence, at just 33 years old.
It was signed on July 4th, 1776
Purpose: Shows commitment of the colonies to merge into ONE political unit in
order to overthrow British rule. Informs King George III why the colonists wanted independence
Provides a rational for Independence and explains the grievances colonists had against Britain and the King.
Declaration of Independence
Based on Ideas of John Locke Natural Rights to Life,
Liberty, and Property
Citizens form a Social contract with their government
States that “All men are created equal” Did not include women,
Native Americans or African American Slaves
Patriots Loyalists/Tories
Colonists who supported Independence Made up a little less than half of
the colonial population
Included mostly farmers, merchants, and tradesmen
Wanted to be free from British rule
Wanted more Economic Opportunity
Colonists who opposed Independence
Supported Britain and were loyal to the King
Felt that the British could protect their rights better than a new colonial government
Did not want to be punished as rebels
Some served the British King as governors, judges, etc.
War has Begun!
Assignment
Now that we have discussed the events that led to the outbreak of the revolution – please complete the following:
On your notes, go back and determine the Unrest rating.
How close do you believe the colonists were in going to war?
Please provide your explanation for your rating.
You may discuss it within your groups
Activity - Patriots or Loyalists?
Journal - Whose side are you on?
Do you agree with the Colonists or Britain’s rational for the policies/acts etc.?
Would you be a Patriot or a Loyalist?
Explain your answer
Provide examples
Compare and Contrast
Review:
Many colonists wished for independence from Britain! “Taxation without Representation
What are some examples of Tax Acts passed by Britain?
Quartering Act, Boston Massacre
Thomas Paine’s Common Sense
What was the Purpose?
The Declaration of Independence moved the colonies one step closer to declaring their independence… When was the Declaration of Independence signed?
Who wrote the Declaration?
What was its purpose?
Important Terms to Know:
Redcoats or Lobster Backs
Nicknames given to British Soldiers
Militia
An army of ordinary citizens who volunteer to fight
Not trained
Not Paid
Minutemen
Specially selected members of the militia who must be ready to fight in a minutes time
AKA First-responders
The Sides: Great Britain
Advantages Disadvantages
Political • Well organized and respected government
• #1 Power in the World
• Distance! – England is 3,000 miles away! It is difficult to communicate and coordinate.
Economic • Its Empire – Huge trading network
• Many Industries to create supplies for troops
• Already in Debt from fighting The French and Indian War…now they have to spend more money to this one.
Military • #1 Military Power in the World
• Strongest Navy
• Well-trained and disciplined troops
• Troops are not familiar with the terrain
Social • Loyalists help with the war
• Hired Hessian (German) Mercenaries
• Foreign Mercenaries are onlyfighting for a paycheck, not for their own country/freedom/homes etc…
The Sides: The Colonies
Advantages Disadvantages
Political • Fight to defend Independence and Democracy
• No central government to enforce wartime policies
Economic • Soldiers can “Live of the Land”
• Will earn aid from France
• Money! Individual Colonies are trying to pay for the war
Military • Guerilla Warfare
• “Home Field” Advantage
• Good Military Leaders
• Supplies/Equipment for war run low
• Poorly trained troops
Social • Patriots rally together to form the militia
• Fighting to defend their families, homes, land etc.
• Have support of Women
• Not everyone in the colonies support the War!• Ex. Loyalists/Tories
The Battle of Bunker Hill
When: May 17th, 1775
Where: Breed’s Hill, Massachusetts
What Happened? The colonial militia was supposed to build
a fort on Bunker Hill, but decided to construct it on nearby Breed’s Hill.
British troops awoke to see the fort and prepared for battle.
Colonists were low on supplies “Hold fire until you see the white of their
eyes”
Who Won? The British
Importance? Boosted Patriot Morale
British lost twice as many men Citizen soldiers had successfully stood up
to a professional army
The Battle of Trenton
When: Christmas Night, 1776
Where: Trenton, New Jersey
What Happened? Washington and his troops
launched a surprise attack on the British (Hessian Soldiers)
Who Won? The Patriots
Importance? 900 Hessian soldiers were taken
prisoner while only 2 colonial soldiers were killed!
It boosted morale and inspired others to re-enlist in the Continental Army
The Battle of Saratoga
When: September – October 1777
Where: Saratoga, New York
What Happened? Two different Battles
1. Battle of Freeman’ s Farm – British forces had split and were unable to communicate; fell victim to surprise sniper fire.
2. Battle of Bemis Heights – British troops advanced in an open field while colonists remained entrenched behind trees.
Who Won? The Patriots
Importance? Turning Point of the War
The inability of British troops to respond to sniper warfare revealed a weakness in their strategy.
The colonial victory convinced the French government to enter the war on the side of the patriots
Surviving Valley Forge
When: Winter of 1777-78
Where: Valley Forge 20 miles outside of Philadelphia
What Happened? Shelters were not completed Food and Clothing supply lines ran
short Starvation and Diseases ravaged the
troops Troops were also traded and became
strong, well-disciplined fighters
Importance? Washington took an active role as a
General It was a strengthening experience for
the Patriots
Battle of Yorktown
When: May-October, 1781
Where: Yorktown, Virginia
What Happened? American and French forces
combined to surround British forces, forcing Gen. Cornwallis (B) to surrender.
Who Won? The Patriots
Importance? Even though fighting continued
for two years after the surrender, the British government feared continued fighting in North America at the risk of losing other British possessions.
Colonial Life During the War
The Nation’s economy suffered!
In order to pay colonial troops, more money was printed and prices skyrocketed!
Weapons became scarce
Many corrupt government officials began to sell weapons for extremely high prices (profiteering)
Women were responsible for running family farms and businesses
Battles were fought wherever troops met
This often occurred near towns or on farm land
Many people fled their homes/farms to avoid conflict
The Treaty of Paris (1783)
This document officially ended the American Revolution It was signed in Pairs, France
Its terms were negotiated by colonial ambassador, Benjamin Franklin
In this document: Britain acknowledged the colonies as Free and Independent
States
Britain ceded all of its territory east of the Mississippi River and south of the Great Lakes to the US.
Britain promised to withdraw troops from America
Political
The 13 Colonies are now INDEPENDENT!
Now, they have to decide what to do!
Unite?
Form Separate Countries?
They have to come together and agree on their next step!
A whole new government has to be created!
Economic
Pros Cons
• End of Mercantilism and Trade Restrictions
• US Commerce (Trading) develops
• The US starts to make their own goods (Manufacturing)• Leads to the Industrial
Revolution
• End of the Proclamation Line• Move further west – more land,
resources, farming
• The US lost their biggest trading partner• If they continue to trade with
Britain, they will be subject to higher prices
• WAR DEBT• $12 million in foreign aid• $44 million in domestic debt• $25 million in state debt
• Period of Inflation and Depression
Social
Loyalists (about 1/3 of the Population) They lost their status at the top of the social hierarchy After the war, most moved to Canada or other parts of the British Empire
“Wealthy” Patriots took the place of Loyalists in the social hierarchy (*New Upper Class is formed*) Congress members Revolutionary Officers
Class Conflict Emerges Farmers were hit hard by the Depression Soldiers were not compensated for fighting
Native Americans Viewed as “Savages” Not given basic human rights
African Americans and Slaves Treatment of African Americans during and after the war depended largely on where they lived. America becomes divided on the issue of the role of slaves
Seven of the 13 colonies abolished slavery (mostly northern) In the south, slavery continued and was considered necessary for the agricultural economy
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