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

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.

The French and Indian War

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

The Revolution

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 BATTLES!

The Revolution

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

T R E A T Y A N D A F T E R M A T H

The End of the War

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

The Treaty of Paris

Effects of the Revolution

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

School House Rock: Review!