The Road to the Revolution

Focus Question

What did John Adams mean in this passage?

“What do we mean by the Revolution? The war? That was no part of the revolution; it was only an effect and consequence of it. The revolution was in the minds of the people, and this was effected from 1760 - 1775, in the course of fifteen years, before a drop of blood was shed at Lexington.”

John Adams August 24, 1815

Objectives

After today’s lesson, you will:Define the weekly vocabulary with complete

accuracyDescribe three underlying tensions within the

British Empire at the eve of the Revolution

The Road to the Revolution

In many ways, the American Revolution was unpredicted

Colonists were the most loyal subjects to the British Crown

Colonists were immensely proud to be British

Reluctant Revolutionaries

Underlying Strains

Salutary Neglect

The Enlightenment

The Great Awakening

Salutary Neglect

Britain passed few laws to govern the colonies Remain loyal to Britain Trade only with Britain (Mercantilism)

The Colonies left on their own to develop Benefitted both Britain and the colonies

The Enlightenment

Movement built on Reason Shed superstition in the face of Reason and logic Embrace science rather than tradition Applied reason to ideas of government (Locke)

The Great Awakening

1740s were a period of religious revivalNew religions sproutedStressed ‘democratic’ ministryStressed looking out for one’s neighbors

French and Indian War

Colonies caught in an international struggle Seven Years’ War Bloody border struggle

Rivalry grew over the Ohio River Valley

Region claimed by Britainand France

Rich fur country Rich farm land

Continental Rivalries

War began with an attack on aFrench expedition by a companyof Virginia troops

Tide turned in 1759 Britain focused on Canada Spent massive amounts

to win the war

Results of the War

Ended in a British victory Britain took all of Canada from France Britain took control of North America east of the

MississippiHowever

Doubled the British Debt Removed the French from

North America Gave Britain a world

empire to control

Helped create trouble

Parliament felt colonies had to be kept in lineConcerns arose over conflict between

colonists and Native AmericansBritain had to pay down its debt

Summary

Summarize today’s lesson in a short, 2-3 sentence response