Download Life in the 1920`s

American
Revolution
Objectives:

1SS-P4. Describe the democratic and
scientific revolutions as they evolved
throughout the Enlightenment and their
enduring effects on political, economic,
and cultural institutions, with emphasis
on:
P0
4.The worldwide spread of
the ideas of the American
Revolution
American Revolution/Rebellion News Networks
Conflicts arise often because of
Conflicting views of events


Task: To see how the same historical events can
be viewed radically differently thereby leading to
conflict
Remember a little how the Daily Show or the
Onion can satirize events but still include much
factual information
The Colonies
From
1700 to 1763 the
colonies were largely left
alone (Imperial Neglect)
Trade was controlled by
King
Each
The Colonies
colony had its own
elected assembly. (only
land-owning males could
vote)
These assemblies could
approve laws related to
local affairs
The Colonies
Britain regulated the colonial
trade (Mercantilism).
For example, Parliament
passed the Navigation Acts
which required colonial
merchants to ship goods only
on colonial or English vessels.
The Colonies
Good must go through England
first to be taxed.
Certain colonial products could
only be shipped to England.
Tobacco & Cotton
The Road to Revolution
After
the Seven Years War
against France, Britain
decided that the colonies
should pay for their
defense.
The Road to Revolution
Stamp
Act called for a tax on
items such as newspapers,
deeds, wills, dice.
Stamp Act Congress –
NO TAXATION WITHOUT
REPRESENTATION!!
The Road to Revolution
British
government tried to
enforce the Stamp Act, riots
erupted.
colonists boycotted British
goods
Britain continued a series of
acts and taxes.
The Road to Revolution
 In
1773 to protest a new
monopoly on tea, a group of
Bostonians, disguised as
Indians, dumped a shipment of
tea into Boston harbor.
 Colonists cheered when they
heard of the “Boston Tea Party.”
The Road to Revolution
Intolerable Acts and Quebec
Act.
Designed
colonies.
to punish the
1774-Continental
meets.
Congress
The Road to Revolution
1775-the
Second Continental
Congress met, but fighting
had already broken out at
Lexington.
Shot heard round the world.
Separation from England.
Great Britain and the 13 Colonies were far apart.
It took 3 months to travel between the two.
Canada while BIG, is barely populated or
explored. Meanwhile the 13 Colonies have plenty
of people.
Declaration of Independence
 July
4, 1776 the delegates drafted
a Declaration of Independence
 Largely written by Thomas
Jefferson
 echoed many of Locke’s and
other French philosophers’
ideas.
The Declaration of Independence was a formal
statement that the 13 colonies were breaking away
from England. It’s phrased as an argument.
Rough draft
Jefferson
Five-man drafting
committee
Signing inkstand
George III
Declaration of Independence
“life, liberty, and the pursuit
of happiness.”
Colonists no longer
consented to King George
III
Establishing a Government?
Goals:
Unite the colonies.
Encourage help from
Europe.
Avoid being labeled as
traitors.
-Did not establish
government. It simply
announced the colonies
were free.
 British
The Revolution
appeared to have an advantage.
 Weapons, navy and Loyalists
 A Third Loyalist, A Third Neutral, A
Third Patriots of Americans
 colonists also had some advantages.
 own land and homes, and had supplies
close by
The Revolution
 George
Washington.
 The turning point
 Saratoga in Oct 1777. The
American victory persuaded the
French to give the colonies
support (money/troops).
Americans had several advantages over the English, including
patriotism and home court advantage. The Americans also
used guerilla (hit and run) warfare for a long time, then only
offered open battle when they knew they could win.
The Revolution
Valley
Forge suffered.
Washington showed patience,
courage, and leadership.
1781-forced the surrender of the
British army at Yorktown, VA.
The Revolution’s End
The
Treaty of Paris 1783
recognized the independence
of the United States and
accepted the Mississippi
River as its western border.
Establishing a Government
II. The Articles of Confederation
Government of U.S. from 1781 to 1789.
Created very weak national
government; most of the power was
with the states.
Its main purposes were to provide
direction to the army and show a united
front to Europe.
Establishing a Government
Weaknesses:
No chief executive.
No power to tax; could request $ from
states.
Could not pay debts; could not get a loan.
After war, there was a very small army.
States printed own money, measures,
laws, etc.
From Maryland.
1st President of the
United States?
A Constitution
 Between
1781-1789
 Articles of Confederation
 1787-leaders met in Philadelphia
to revise the Articles.
 1788-they ratified the
Constitution of the United
States.
A Constitution
The Constitution was
inspired by the works of
Locke, Montesquieu, and
Rousseau.
It established three separate
branches of government.
A Constitution
 1-legislative=Congress
(House of
Representatives and Senate).
 2-executive=president.
 3-judiciary=system of national
courts.
 This system provided what
Montesquieu called a system of
checks and balances.
A Constitution
States ask for a Bill of
Rights
1791-the Bill of Rights
added the first 10
amendments to the
Constitution.
Impact
 U.S.
becomes independent
Nation
 Other European countries were
inspired
 Other countries used the
Declaration of Independence
and the Constitution as models.