Uniting for Independence 1 In the eyes of

Uniting for Independence

1 -In the eyes of the British crown, for what purpose did the American colonies exist?

1 -In the eyes of the British crown, for what purpose did the American colonies exist? For the economic benefit of Great Britain: • they served as a source of raw materials and • a market for British goods.

2 -Why did the American colonies do pretty much as they pleased?

2 -Why did the American colonies do pretty much as they pleased? 3, 000 miles from Great Britain; Orders from the monarch took 2 or more months to get across the Atlantic. Governors and legislatures of colonies dealt with everyday problems: • the colonists grew accustomed to governing themselves through their representatives.

3 -What were the two events that forced Britain to change its relationship with the colonies? Do not just list the events, also explain why/how they caused Britain to take a different position.

3 -What were the two events that forced Britain to change its relationship with the colonies? Do not just list the events, also explain why/how they caused Britain to take a different position. 1 -The French and Indian War. The Brits defeated the French which eliminated them as a power in North America. Britain won in 1763 and gained complete control over the eastern third of the continent. 2 -George III became king in 1760. He had different ideas about how the colonies should be governed. Now, the colonists no longer needed the Brits to protect them from the French, but the real impact of the war was the cost to the British. Left with a huge war debt, Britain’s leaders believed the colonists had an obligation to pay up.

4 -Explain how King George III had the colonies help pay for the war. Provide examples. Also, describe the response of the colonists.

4 -Explain how King George III had the colonies help pay for the war. Provide examples. *Taxes on tea, sugar, glass, paper. *The Stamp Act of 1765 imposed the first direct tax on the colonists: *They had to pay a tax on legal documents, pamphlets, newspapers, even dice and playing cards. *Parliament passed laws regulating colonial trade in ways that benefited Britain, but not the colonies.

Describe the response of the colonists. Colonists resented these taxes and protests spread…. Colonists refused to buy British goods. Protests led to the repeal of the Stamp Act, but the British passed other tax laws to replace them. Led to the Boston Tea Party in 1773: 342 pounds of British tea in Boston Harbor. • In retaliation, Parliament passed the Coercive Acts [Intolerable Acts, named by colonists. • One of these acts closed Boston Harbor; another withdrew the right of Massachusetts to govern itself.

5 -What did the Stamp Act Congress do in response to these taxes?

5 -What did the Stamp Act Congress do in response to these taxes? 1765: 9 colonies sent delegates to New York called the Stamp Act Congress. This was the first meeting organized by colonies to protest the King’s actions. They sent a petition to the king: only colonial legislatures could impose direct taxes such as the Stamp Act. By 1773, committees of correspondence were urging resistance to the British. More committees sprang up throughout the colonies.

6 a. The First Continental Congress met in September of 1774 in Philadelphia. What was their decision? b. How did Britain react to their decision?

6 -The First Continental Congress met in September of 1774 in Philadelphia. What was their decision? • The delegates imposed an embargo [agreement prohibiting trade] on Britain and agreed not to use British goods. • They proposed meeting in a year if Britain did not change.

British Reaction Britain adopted stronger measures: • 4/19/75: British Redcoats clashed with colonial minutemen at Lexington and Concord in Mass. The first Battle of the Rev. War.

7 a. Describe the actions the Second Continental Congress took in 1775 b. What was the Second Continental Congress’ role in the Revolutionary War?

7 a. Describe the actions the Second Continental Congress took in 1775 Within 3 weeks of Lexington and Concord. The CC assumed the powers of a central government. [John Hancock as Pres. ] Organized an army and navy, to issue money and appoint GW as commander of the Continental Army.

b. What was the Second Continental Congress’ role in the Revolutionary War? It acted as government throughout the war: purchased supplies, negotiated treaties and rallied support for their cause.

8 -How long was the war going on before the Declaration of Independence written?

8 -How long was the war going on before the Declaration of Independence written? 1 year, 2 months.

9 -What were three main points the Declaration of Independence was trying to make? Or another way of putting it, what were there main ideas?

9 -What were three main points the Declaration of Independence was trying to make? Or another way of putting it, what were there main ideas? It explained the reasons the colonies were angry at the British govt. It confirmed why revolution was justified It laid down the founding principles of the new nation

A REASON TO GO TO WAR? The king forced the colonists to sell their raw materials [timber, crops] back to England at really cheap prices. People in England would use the materials to make finished products. The king forced the colonists to buy the finished products at extra high prices.

A REASON TO GO TO WAR? As soon as the Stamp Act was gone, the British passed the Declaratory Act saying that the colonies were dependent on the king and declaring that all laws passed in the colonies had no effect. Britain passed the Townshend Revenue Act, taxing things it knew the colonists couldn’t make for themselves: paint, glass, paper, lead, and tea. This Act also allowed British government workers to search peoples’ houses and even break down doors to seize items the homeowner hadn’t paid taxes for.

A REASON TO GO TO WAR? The Quartering Acts of 1765 and 1774 forced certain colonists to let British troops live in their houses. In the 1770 s, a series of laws cracked down on rebellious activity in Massachusetts colony. Colonists called these the Intolerable Acts.

Events that led to the Revolutionary War 1760 -George III becomes king 1763 -Britain defeats France and gained complete control of the eastern 3 rd of the continent. 1765 - The Stamp Act 1765 - Quartering Act 1765 - Nine colonies send delegates to the Stamp Act Congress in NY. 1773 -Boston Tea Party; Parliament passes “The Intolerable Acts” in response 1773 -Committees of Correspondence spread throughout the colonies 1774 -First Continental Congress: imposed an embargo on British trade and agreed not to use British goods 1774 -Quartering Act 1775 -British Redcoats clash with colonial minutemen at Lexington and Concord

3 - A Reason to Go to War? Who had a better reason to go to war, the American colonists or the British? Both sides had reasons. What were they? Include events that led to the War and explain which side had the better reason.