Road to Independence

Roots of Revolution French and Indian War (1756-1763) British Legislation and Colonial Response (1764-

1776) Formation of “American” Deliberative Bodies

Declaration of Independence Influence of Paine’s Common Sense Declaration of Independence and Locke’s Social

Contract TheoryAdoption & Failure of the Article of

Confederation

British presence in in 1763

Paine’s Common Sense

Critique of the British Government and Monarchy

Justification for American Separation

Declaration of Independence

. . .We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness. . . The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute tyranny over these states. To prove this, let facts be submitted to a candid world.

Articles of Confederation

ORGANIZATIONOne body with equal representation for statesNo executive or judiciarySupermajority to pass laws or admit new statesState legislatures pay taxes proportional to value of property

POWERSNegotiate international treaties Make warResolve disputes between states Borrow and coin moneyEstablish post office Appoint army officers

*States may not enter treaties or diplomatic alliances with other countries or each other and cannot enter into war