The American Revolution

Mrs. BonifayOCS Social Studies 1

The New World As we have learned, many people

from England (Great Britain) came to live in America.

They came to live in America because they wanted more freedom.

King George ruled the American colonies from 1760 until the Revolution.

Events Leading Up to the Revolutionary War 1765: The Stamp Act No American representation in Parliament

(taxation without representation). 1770: The Boston Massacre (British soldiers

killed 5 people in the Boston streets.) 1773: The Tea Tax (The Boston Tea Party)

King George punished the people of Boston by closing the Boston Harbor.

1775: The American Revolution began.

Key Strengths & WeaknessesAmerican Strengths: Had a strong leader in George

Washington Were used to frontier life and using

firearms Had military experience for the

French and Indian War Were fighting for their independence

on their own soil

Strengths & WeaknessesAmerican Weaknesses: Had little money and depended on

other countries for supplies One-third of Americans were British

loyalists Had a weak navy

Strengths & WeaknessesBritish Strengths: Had well-trained soldiers, expert

leaders, and the finest equipment Had a powerful navy Could pay other countries to fight for

them Had help from British loyalists in

America

Strengths & WeaknessesBritish Weaknesses: Were not used to frontier style of

American warfare Had to fight far from home Were fighting other wars with France,

Spain, and the Netherlands at the same time

The War Some Americans did not want to fight

the British. They were called Loyalists.

The American Revolution lasted 6 years.

General George Washington was the leader of the American army.

French soldiers came to America and helped fight against the British.

The End of the War The American Revolution ended in

1781. The American colonies and Great

Britain signed a peace treaty called the Treaty of Paris on September 3, 1783.

After the war, the 13 colonies became the 13 states. They called the new country the United States of America.

What Was Next? During the war, American leaders had

written laws for the United States called the Articles of the Confederation.

In 1787, American leaders decided to write new laws for their new country: The United States Constitution.