The American Revolution and Confederation

The American Revolution and Confederation

1774-1787

Effects of the Intolerable Acts• The First Continental Congress (Phili,

PA)– 12 colonies assembled to discuss

imposed restrictions – Overall not many colonists wanted to

“break free” from Britain; just did not want their rights/ freedoms infringed upon

Who was represented?• Radicals: break from Britain (Samuel &

John Adams and Patrick Henry) • Moderates: wanted to negotiate policies

and if that failed possibly initiate war (Washington and Dickinson)

• Conservatives: wanted to address the issue; at most a small protest; did not want to break free (John Jay and Joseph Galloway)

The Plan• Colonial unification was necessary (which made

some plans not pass)• Suffolk Resolves: initiated in Mass; accepted by 12

colonies; boycott British goods• Declaration of Rights and Grievances: renew

colonial liberties; keep British law over commerce (trade)

• This plan was sent to the King as a “Petition”

Royal Reaction

• You think you’re

gunna get away

with it? Not up in

here…NOT UP IN

HERE!

• The King did not accept the petition and named Mass a STATE OF REBELLION

• The clashes here would become the first of the Revolution

The Conflict Begins• Lexington & Concord (Mass Bay &

present day Arlington, VA)– 4/18/1775: British troops sent to

confiscate colonial militia armaments – “Paul Revere” (Israel Bissle) and William

Dawes sent to warn the colonists