Jump StartComplete the following sentences:

• The Proclamation of 1763 is fair/unfair because . . . • The Stamp Act was fair/unfair because . . . • The Quartering Act is fair/unfair because . . .

 

• The Townshend Acts were fair/unfair and their repeal is fair/unfair

because . . . • The Boston Massacre was/was not justified because . . .

 

• We believe the Tea Act is fair/unfair because . . . • The Boston Tea Party was/was not justified because . . .

Intolerable Acts• Passed to punish the Massachusetts for

the Boston Tea Party– Closed the port of Boston until they paid

for the destroyed tea

– Placed the government of Massachusetts under British control

– British soldiers accused of murder would now stand trial in England, not the colonies

– Sent even more troops to enforce the new law

• Instead of giving in, the colonists banded even closer together

• Virginia called for a Congress to discuss a solution to the conflict with Britain

How could this hurt you?

Actions of the Intolerable Acts How could this hurt you?

Closed the port of Boston until they paid for the destroyed tea

Placed the government of Massachusetts under British control

British soldiers accused of murder would now stand trial in England, not the colonies

Sent even more troops to enforce the new law

First Continental Congress• In September of 1774,

delegates met from all of the colonies – Agreed to send a message

to King George urging him to consider their complaints

– Called for a boycott of British goods until Intolerable Acts were repealed

– Planned to meet again in seven months

Carpenter’s Hall, Philadelphia

Lexington and Concord• After the First Continental Congress, colonies began

organizing militias

• British spies soon learned that militias were hiding gunpowder and weapons near Concord

– 700 British troops were ordered to attack

• Marched at night to surprise militia

• Colonists had spies too

– Paul Revere and others rode through the countryside warning colonists

• At Lexington, a town on the way to Concord, a small militia waited for the British

Shot Heard ‘Round the World• No one knows who fired the

first shot, but the fighting began

• 3 colonists were killed at Lexington and 10 injured as the British continued onto Concord

• At Concord, it was the colonists who claimed victory– Redcoats retreated back to

Boston

– 4,000 angry militia lined their route, shooting every Redcoat they saw

Second Continental Congress• May 10, 1775 in Philadelphia

• Agreed to form the Continental Army

– Chose George Washington as Commander

• Ordered the printing of paper $$$ to pay the troops

*** Beginning to act as a government***

Independence Hall, Philadelphia

Battle of Bunker Hill• WHO fought:

– 2,000 British regulars vs. Boston militiamen

• WHAT happened: – Militia waited on top of the hill as the British charged in 3 waves

– Redcoats won on third attack; militia ran out of gunpowder

• WHEN: – June 1775

• WHERE:– Near Boston

• WHY is this significant?:– Redcoats suffered more losses here than at any other battle

– The militia held its own against the world’s most powerful army!

Olive Branch Petition• Many Americans still hoped for

peace with King George

• In July 1775, the Second Continental Congress sent a petition to Britain– Asked king to restore harmony between

the 2 groups

• King George rejected the petition

• Washington continued training troops for battle…

Common Sense by Thomas Paine• A pamphlet published in 1776• Thomas Paine claimed that:

– Kings did NOT rule by the will of God

– All monarchies were corrupt

– There was no economic need to stay with Britain

• Sold over 100,000 copies in first 3 months

• Helped persuade colonists that independence made sense and would bring them a better future

Jump Start

• Write down 2 questions you had about the assignment from yesterday.

OR

• If you are totally clear on what I expect, list the 6 parts of the Declaration and explain each part’s purpose.

Declaration of Independence• In June of 1776 Congress

appointed a committee to draft a declaration (formal statement) of independence – Jefferson was selected to

write the document• He was an excellent writer

• His job was to explain why the colonies were choosing to separate

Declaration of Independence• Completed on July 2, 1776 and

adopted on July 4• The core idea was based on

John Locke’s idea of natural rights– “We hold these truths to be self-

evident, that all men are created equal…”

• Declared the colonies independent states

• By signing, each man was committing treason, and, if the revolution failed, could be put to death…