Aim #13: What key events caused the colonists to want to sever ties with Britain and declare - PowerPoint Presentation

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Aim #13: What key events caused the colonists to want to sever ties with Britain and declare independence?Do Now!1. Explain TWO ways the French and Indian War altered the relationship between Britain and the colonies?2. From your homework, why did many African Americans and Native Americans join on the side of the British?Slide2

(I) Circumstances in Colonial Life Before the WarVictory in F and I War made Britain the master of a vast North American empireb. A change in their policy was to compel the American colonies to pay for some of the debt incurred protecting them (start enforcing the Navigation Acts)c. American settlers didn’t have the age old traditions and social restraints that bound their ancestors; they got a clean slate to start a new society and way of life (i.e. there was no titled nobility in the colonies)d. Property ownership and political participation available to most (whereas in England it was restricted)e. Colonists become accustomed to running their own affairsf

. Mercantilism stifled economic initiativeHow so???Slide3

II. Deep Roots of Revolution2 Revolutionary ideas took hold in the colonies, leading to revolution1. RepublicanismA just society was one in which all citizens willingly subordinated their private (selfish) interests to the common good „ Society and government depended on the virtue of their citizens – selflessness, self-sufficiency, courage, civic involvement „Opposed to authoritarian institutions like monarchy and aristocracy b. “radical Whigs”: group of British political commentators „ Feared threat to liberty posed by monarchsWe are some radical wigs!Slide4

III. Stamp Act Uproar½ of British debt was incurred defending the American coloniesb. (1763) After war, British navy strictly enforced Navigation Actsc. (1764) the Sugar Act first law passed by Parliament to raise tax revenue from colonies „ Increased duty on imported sugar (molasses) from West Indies „duties lowered after bitter colonial protests „Slide5

d. (1764) The Stamp Act 1. stamped paper or affixing of stamps to certify payment of taxes(required on bill of sale, playing cards, pamphlets, newspapers, diplomas, marriage certificates)2. British view of lawReasonable request: colonists should pay their fair share of debtBritish citizens had already been paying stamp tax for yearse. “no taxation without representation” becamerallying cry (James Otis)Slide6
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f. British dismissed American protests because:Power of Parliament is supreme2. Americans were represented in Parliament via “virtual representation” (every member of Parliament represented all British subjects, even colonists who couldn’t vote for their members of Parliament); American didn’t think was valid and wanted a return to salutary neglect (page 186)g. Stamp Act Congress (1765)1. 27 delegates from 9 colonies met in New York Cityb. Wrote a statement of grievances and asked for repeal of the Stamp Actc. Statement was ignored so colonies refused to import goods from Britain as a way to put economic pressure on them; brought colonists together towards unity2. Homespun (homemade) good were used instead3. Violent protests against Stamp Act4. Groups formed like the Sons of Liberty and Daughters of Liberty

5. Mobs ransacked houses and hanged effigies of stamp agents (page 188)Slide8

Shoving Tea Down a Tax Collector’s Throat (notice menacing noose on tree in backgroundSlide9

(IV) Other colonial laws that drew colonies closer to wara. Declaratory Act (1766) b. Townshend Acts (1767)Reaction was Boston “Massacre” (1770) Page 193 in textEngraving by Paul Revere: propaganda?Slide10

The Boston Massacre (March 5,1770)Slide11

V. First Continental Congress (1774)a. 12 or the 13 (come on Georgia!) came to Philadelphiab. NOT a call for Independencec. Wanted a repeal of all oppressive taxing lawsd. Made claims based on freedoms/rights(remember, not all colonists were in favor of independence because elites like those in Pennsylvania and New York don’t want commoners having a say in the political process)Slide12

VI. Women and the War “Republican Motherhood”: women should raise children that are good citizens; primarily responsible for children’s educationb. Abigail Adams: “remember the ladies” (told to John Adams when discussing the Declaration of Independence) PAGE 244 in text

“Oh Shoot! I knew I forgot someone …sorry hon!”Slide13

VII. African Americans in the Revolutionary Warsome slaves fought on side of British: British promised them freedom after the war (some even went to Britain after the war)(SEE DO NOW ANSWERS)VIII. Native Americans in the War (SEE DO NOW ANSWERS)Fought on both sides, but favored British who they saw as their protectors after the French and Indian Warb. When British lost, settlers pushed west, causing increased devastation for Natives.Slide14

IX. Other Key Important Events of the Revolutionary WarApril, 1775: Battles of Lexington and Concord (“shot heard around the world”)b. May, 1775: Second Continental Congressc. June, 1775: Battle of Bunker Hill d. 1776 (Pivotal Year)Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense”Declaration of Independence written (main author Thomas Jefferson)3. Washington Crossing the Delaware (Valley Forge)e. 1777: Battle of Saratoga: turning point in favor of colonistsf. 1783: Treaty of Paris signedIS WAR REALLY OVER…ARE THE IDEALS OF THE WAR LIVED UP TO???Slide15

To Summarize the Lessons Learned from the War…Although the American Revolution did not result in a complete and total upheaval of the pre-existing social and political infrastructures, the Founding Fathers intended to create an entirely new political framework that was unprecedented for the time period. The Founding Fathers used the principles of the Enlightenment as the basis for the major political documents of the founding of the United States including the

US Declaration of Independence, the US Constitution, and the Bill of RightsSlide16

Thomas Paine: Common Sense