American Independence and Revolutionary Period in Pictures and

American Independence and Revolutionary Period in Pictures and Portraits Joan Cartmill

Patrick Henry of Virginia “Government is dissolved [and] we are in a state of nature. The distinctions between Virginians, Pennsylvanians, and New Englanders are no more. I am not a Virginian, but an American. ” October 1774

Important Events n French and Indian War n 1755 -1763 n Great Britain vs France in the colonies and Europe n Also known as The Seven Years War or the Great War for the Empire n Ended with the Treaty of Paris – 1763

War and debt n Great Britain wanted the Colonies to share the cost of the war. n 1764 The Revenue (Sugar Act) tax on molasses n Currency Act – colonial legislatures complained n Stamp Act – Colonists objected n 1765 – Riots

Townshend Duties n Tax on paper, lead, painters’ colors and tea n Samuel Adams (cousin to John) encouraged colony to reject these taxes

The British in Boston n October 1, 1768 n British Troops march into Boston n Quartered at Boston Commons n Purpose: To enforce taxes imposed by the Townshend Act

BOSTON MASSACRE March 5, 1770 n Colonists taught, tease and throw snowballs at Redcoats. n “FIRE!” n 5 dead – Crispus Attucks n John Adams and Josiah Quincy successfully defend the soldiers at their trial. n

Boston Massacre John Adams defended British soldiers on murder charges. (Founding father and 2 nd President of US) Crispus Attucks: Died in Boston Massacre March 5, 1770 Painting of the Boston Massacre

Tea Act Passed n n n Colonists had been smuggling Dutch tea to avoid taxes British imports in the colonies dropped from 500, 000 lbs in 1768 to 650 lbs in 1772 1773 – British Parliament passes Tea Act n Parliament allows India to import tea to the Colonies to fight Dutch imports

Boston Tea Party December 16, 1773 n Band of 50 Bostonians boarded tea ships dressed as Indians n £ 10, 000 worth of tea dumped into Boston Harbor n

British Parliament Reaction to Boston Tea Party n Coercive Acts May 1774 (aka Intolerable Acts) n Parliament ordered colonists to pay for the destroyed tea n Port of Boston is closed until the debt is paid n British soldiers were immune from local trials n Reformed Massachusetts government

Continental Congress n n n September 1774 Philadelphia 55 delegates Every colony except Georgia is represented Declaration of Rights and resolves n REPEAL Intolerable Acts by December 1 st! n Consequence – Colonies would ban on imports and exports between Great Britain, Ireland British W. Indies

Shot heard ‘round the world April 1775 n Lexington and Concord n Minutemen n Paul Revere “The British are coming!” n

Common Sense n n Thomas Paine January 1776 Pro-independence pamphlet that was published at a national level Widely read by Colonists Thomas Paine

Declaration of Independence n Commissioned in June 1776 n Committee included Thomas Jefferson n Ben Franklin n John Adams n n n Based on previous works “When in the course of human events…” “All men are created equal…” “Unalienable rights … life, liberty, pursuit of happiness. ”

Second Continental Congress & the Declaration of Independence n n n Presented and read on June 28, 1776 Declaration was ordered to “lie on the table” until the next Monday – July 1 st. July 2 nd – vote is taken. 12 yes and 1 abstain (NY) n Unanimous n n n July 4, 1776 – Document is printed 56 signers - August 2, 1776

John Trumball’s Signing of the Declaration of Independence

Bibliography www. archives. gov www. Americanrevolution. com www. americanrevwar. homestead. com www. cr. nps. gov www. earlyamerica. com www. fatherryan. org www. law. umkc. edu www. loc. gov www. npg. si. edu www. pbs. org www. si. umich. edu www. teachpol. ncnj. edu www. ushistory. com www. ushistory. org

American Independence and Revolutionary Period in Pictures and Portraits Joan Cartmill