The American Revolution

Ms. Silgals’ 5th Grade Social Studies Class

Trouble in the ColoniesTrouble began in 1750s when the French began building forts in the Ohio River valley

Both the French and British claimed this land

1754 began the French and Indian War

Both sides got help from the Indians

1763 British won, but the war had cost them more money than they could afford

People in Britain did not want to pay extra taxesto support the colonists

King George and Parliament decided that the Colonists would pay new taxes

Before the colonists had been making their own tax laws

In addition, King George told the Colonists that they could not settle the land west of the Appalachians – Proclamation of 1763 – set the land aside for the Indians

King George sent soldiers to make sure the colonists followed his orders

Taxation without representation

Prior to the French and Indian Wars, the Colonies each had their own legislature

White male property owners could vote

Each colony had its own governor

The Governor made sure the laws were agreeable to the British government at home

Colonists were not able to vote in British elections

After the war the Governors were given more power

Structure of Government in Colonies

The Stirring for Independence

1765 Stamp Act – almost everything written or Printed on paper in the colonies had to have astamp on it – Taxation without Representation

Colonists ordered a boycott – refused to buy BritishGoods

Sons of Liberty were more violent, beating up taxCollectors and destroying their homes

October 1765 – Stamp Act Congress in New Yorkasked for extended boycott and it worked! Tax Act was repealed

Trouble continuesNew laws passed on other goods for taxes: lead, paintpaper, glass and tea

More soldiers were sent to control the colonists

Five Colonists killed in the Boston Massacre – March 5, 1770

Taxes again repealed except for tea

1773 – Tea Act allowed British company to sell tea cheaper than the colonists tea growers

Resulted in Boston Tea Party

Trouble continuesAfter the Boston Tea Party, British parliament declaredno ships could enter the harbor until the cost of the teawas recovered

Also British soldiers were allowed to stay for free in the colonists homes - “Intolerable” was the reply and the act that followed was called the Intolerable Act

Continental Congress held in Philadelphia. All colonies were represented except Georgia No more trade until the laws were repealed!

The Decision for IndependenceTwo sides: Loyalists (Support the British) Patriots (Against the British)

April 1775 British General Thomas Gage, Governor of MAHeard that the Patriots were storing weapons in Concord

700 soldiers were sent to seize the weapons and arrest the Patriot leaders, John Hancock and Samuel Adams – Famous ride of Paul Revere & William Dawes

Shots fired at Lexington and Concord marked the start of the American Revolution

Second Continental Congress

Met in Philadelphia in May 1775Sent letter to King GeorgeFormed a Colonial Army just in caseGeorge Washington chosen to lead army

January 1776 Thomas Paine published Common Sense which called for a revolution and independence

June 1776 Continental Congress formed a Committee to write a declaration for independence“These United Colonies are, and of Right ought to Be Free and Independent States.”

War for Independence British advantages: Most colonists had neverBeen soldiers. No guns, no uniforms, no training and hadHelp from mercenaries and Indians

Americans advantages: Fighting for freedom and on their Own home ground, easy supplies, women fought along with both free and enslaved Africans

First major battle: Battle of Bunker Hill June 17, 1775 Battle of Saratoga (1777) was the turning point Yorktown (1781) British ships kept from bringing in soldiers and supplies Treaty of Paris September 3, 1783 ended the war