Global Seeds of American Democratic Political System

Road to Revolution & Declarations PrinciplesFrance built Fort Duquesne at beginning of the Ohio River in 1753. It protected their fur trade.

Foundations of Fort Duquesne at Point State Park today.

Britain Responds to Fort DuquesneBritish military leaders responded by sending a young Virginian, several Native American allies and a small militia to force the French from the Ohio Valley in 1754.George Washington and his men attacked Fort Duquesne but were forced to retreat.

Fort Necessity Built

Washington retreated southeast and hastily built Fort Necessity, 11 miles east of Uniontown.In the Battle of the Meadow, Washington was forced to surrender after his first military campaign.French and Indian War BeginsAs a result of the Battle of the Meadow, the French and Indian War began in 1754. Great Britain paid dearly in men and materials to defeat the French. Fort Duquesne was renamed Fort _?_ in honor of a British Government official. Great Britain then sought repayment from English colonists for this war. In addition the British needed more money to govern the Ohio Valley.

Stamp and Tea Taxes ImposedParliament and King John imposed taxes upon colonists including the Stamp Act in 1765 and later the Tea Tax. Colonists resisted paying these taxes. They claimed the rights of Englishmen to no taxation without representation in Parliament in London.

Boston Tea Party 1773

Intolerable or Townsend Acts Passed.The December, 1773 Boston Tea Party caused the Intolerable Acts of 1774 which closed the Port of Boston, suspended jury trial rights in Boston and closed the Massachusetts legislature. First Continental Congress called for representatives from all colonies in fall, 1774. It tried to work out problems with King and Parliament. Boycott of British goods began.

One if by land, Two if by sea!British troops seized colonial weapons and militia at Lexington and Concord in April, 1775. Second Continental Congress met in May, 1775 in Philadelphia. It sent written request to King and Parliament to solve problems peaceably.

Pennsylvanias Colonial State House 1775

Colonial Delegates form Second Continental Congress, July, 1776 Second Continental Congress remained in session. Declaration of Independence signed in July, 1776. Page 106.Section one all men equal, natural rights, social contract and right to rebelSection two laundry list of complaints against British kingSection three American sovereignty; free and independent states

Principles of 1776 Declaration of IndependenceWe hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.Equalitythey are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.LibertyThat to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.DemocracyThat whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government.Justice