Uniting for IndependenceCauses of the

American Revolution

Colonies on Their Own

• For almost 150 years, the American colonies ruled themselves without interference from England.

• Then everything changed in mid-1700’s.

Two Events thatChanged Everything

French and Indian War 1756-1763

England was left with huge debt.

George III became king in 1760.

The Stamp Act - 1765

• 1st time England had directly imposed a tax on the colonists.

• Tax on legal documents, pamphlets, newspapers, dice, playing cards, etc.

• Protests caused repeal but other taxes replaced it.

Boston Tea Party

• Protest against tax on tea.

• In December, 1773, colonists destroyed the tea rather than let it get to market.

                                             

            

Boston Tea Party

Resulted in Parliament passing the Coercive Acts (the Intolerable Acts).– Closed Boston harbor.– Withdrew right of

Massachusetts to govern itself.

Boston Tea PartyCalled this in

England

Called this in America

Impact of Intolerable Acts

• Colonists began to unite.• Colonists argued that only colonial

legislatures could impose direct taxes.

• Committees of Correspondence formed into a communications network beginning in 1773.

1st Continental Congress• Began in September 1774.• Debated what to do about the

relationship with Great Britain.• Imposed an embargo on British goods.• British Response:

– Stronger measures.– George III considered

colonists in rebellion.

The Shots Heard ‘Round the World

• Lexington and Concord, Mass.

• April 19, 1775

• 1st battle of the Revolutionary War

2nd Continental Congress

• May 1775

• They assumed the powers of a central government with John Hancock as president of Congress.

• Organized an army and navy.

• Made George Washington commander.

• Issued money.

After a year of fighting, Richard Henry Lee of Virginia introduced a “resolution for independence.”

2nd Continental Congress

• Appointed a committee to write a draft.

• Committee asked Thomas Jefferson to write the document.

• July 2, 1776, the Congress approved Lee’s resolution for independence.

• July 4, 1776, Congress approved final draft of declaration.

2nd Continental Congress

Declaration of Independence

Turn to A1 in textbook.

• Preamble

• Declaration of Natural Rights

• List of Grievances

• Resolution of Independence

Declaration of Independence

No government had ever been based on the principles expressed by John Locke and adopted by Thomas Jefferson.

Declaration of Independence

Winning Independence

• Great Britain had finest army in the world.

• In the American colonies, there were 8,500 British soldiers and 30,000 German mercenaries.

• The colonists had about 5,000 men.

• Nevertheless, the colonists won.

The “Conservative” Revolution

• Some revolutions produce great change in society (France, Russia, Iran).

• The American Revolution did not drastically change anything about colonial life.