King George III Ruled from 1760-1820
The Stamp Act of 1765 Required colonists to buy special stamped paper for every legal document, license, newspaper, etc. First tax that directly affected the colonists because it taxed goods and services
North America in 1763
The Boston Tea Party December 16, 1773 3 ships arrived in Boston and were told not to unload their cargo Captains refused and made plans to unload despite fierce opposition from colonists Other ships landed in various ports in the colonies, but gave in to colonists demands, returning to England with their cargo
The Boston Tea Party December 16, 1773 On December 16, 1773, a group of colonists, led by Samuel Adams and dressed as Mohawk Indians, boarded the 3 ships and dumped $75,000 worth of tea into Boston Harbor When news of the Boston Tea Party spread, other port cities followed their lead and staged similar acts of resistance
The Coercive Acts of 1774 King George and Parliament were outraged by the event, and were determined to force the rebellious colonists, especially in Massachusetts, into submission In 1774, Parliament passed a series of measures known as the Coercive Acts Map of Boston (circa 1774) Colonists quickly renamed them the Intolerable Acts.
The Intolerable Acts 4 parts to the Acts: 1- Boston Port Bill-shut down Boston Harbor until tea was paid for 2-Massachusetts Government Act-placed them under Martial Law, and appointed Thomas Gage as the new military governor 3-The Quartering Act-colonists are required to house British soldiers in their own homes or empty buildings if barracks are not available 4-Administration of Justice Act-British soldiers accused of crimes in the colonies will be tried in England, not the colonies
Protesting the Stamp Act Colonists are angered by the Stamp and Quartering Acts Unite to boycott British goods
Gaining Support for a Boycott Propaganda such as this caused many to support the boycott of the British and the Stamp Act
The Sons of Liberty Boston businessmen organize a secret resistance group called the Sons of Liberty Led by Samuel Adams Harassed customs workers, stamp agents & royal governors Also used violence and public ridicule to force Boston citizens to follow the boycotts Samuel Adams If ye love wealth greater than liberty go home from us in peace. We seek not your counsel, nor your arms May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen. -Samuel Adams-
The Daughters of Liberty Less violent than their male counterparts, but just as dedicated to the cause Support boycotts by making tea of local herbs, encouraged women to make their own cloth, and refused to buy frivolous items that were only available from England Led by women like Mercy Otis Warren Mercy Otis Warren
The Townshend Acts of 1767 Taxed imported goods such as glass, lead, paint, paper Also placed 3-cent tax on tea the most popular drink in the colonies Colonists call for another boycott and adopt the slogan No Taxation Without Representation. ----------------------------------------------- Taxation without representation is tyranny. -James Otis- Taxation WITH representation ain t so hot either. -George Barzan- Charles Townshend
The Boston Massacre March 5, 1770 Colonists and British soldiers argue over jobs at a rope factory outside Boston Later that night, Colonists harassed the soldiers who were on duty in the city Throw snowballs, daring them to fire Soldiers panicked and fire into the crowd, killing 5
The Boston Massacre Among the dead was a former slave of native descent named Crispus Attucks Openly opposed the British--became 1st martyr to the patriots cause Samuel Adams turned the event into propaganda by calling it a massacre His cousin, John, however, defended the soldiers in court and they were acquitted Parliament repealed the Townshend Acts in 1770 claiming that it cost too much to enforce, and the situation calmed for a while Crispus Attucks
The Gaspee Incident and The Committee of Correspondence On June 9, 1772, Rhode Island colonists attack and burn a British ship patrolling the coast for smugglers King George III names a special commission to find those responsible and bring them to trial in England (colonists believed they would not get a fair trial) The colonists set up the Committee of Correspondence to communicate with each other about this and other threats to American liberties
Thomas Paine and Common Sense In 1776, an anonymous pamphlet began circulating throughout the colonies (written by Thomas Paine) Common Sense attacked King George and called for Independence 500,000 copies were sold Very persuasive essay that turns public opinion toward independence (for the 1st time)
This document divided colonists into 2 groups: Patriots were supporters of Independence and saw their fight as a holy cause of liberty Loyalists were loyal to Great Britain and saw independence as treason against king and country Common Sense The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly; it is dearness that gives everything its value -Thomas Paine-
1 st Continental Congress September 1774 All colonies are represented at this meeting in Philadelphia Colonists declare their rights as citizens and state their grievances against the king (They do NOT ask for independence yet) Agree to meet in May 1775 to set a boycott if their demands aren t met Also agree to fight back if Britain uses force against them King George orders the rebellion put down immediately and colonists begin preparing for possible war To be prepared for war is one of the most effective means of preserving peace. - George Washington-
Patrick Henry March 23, 1775, Patrick Henry delivered his famous speech to the Virginia House Property of Janet E. Brooks I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me Liberty or give me death! -Patrick Henry speaking to the Virginia House- Best known as the Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death speech, Patrick Henry passionately declared that the colonies had repeatedly tried to avoid a war with Britain, but that Britain itself refused to avoid it Less than 1 month later, the Revolutionary War began, although independence would not be declared for another year
Moving Toward War.. General Gage (military governor of Massachusetts), ordered the arrests of Samuel Adams and John Hancock for treason (inciting rebellion against the crown) Adams and Hancock escaped to Lexington, a town near Boston General Thomas Gage Most of the colonial militia, or minutemen, supported the rebellion and had begun gathering weapons, gunpowder, and other supplies in Concord (about 10 miles from Lexington)
Paul Revere s Midnight Ride Member of the Sons of Liberty who often worked as an express rider, delivering messages Knew trouble was coming and established signals to indicate the position of the British Army in case he was unable to leave Boston One if by land, two if by sea April 18, 1775, Revere hung 2 lanterns in the bell tower of Christ Church indicating to the Sons of Liberty that British troops were crossing the Charles River Paul Revere s Midnight Ride Later that evening, Revere was sent to Lexington to warn Adams and Hancock that the British were headed to Lexington to arrest them
Spreading the Word... After warning Adams and Hancock, Revere was joined by William Dawes, who had been sent on the same errand by a different route Revere and Dawes decided to continue on to Concord to warn the militia as well, and were joined by a third rider, Dr. Samuel Prescott Encountered a British patrol--revere was taken captive but released a few hours later, arriving just in time to witness the first shots of the revolution NO PICTURE AVAILABLE Paul Revere William Dawes Dr. Samuel Prescott
Lexington and Concord April 19, 1775 British troops met up with minutemen at Lexington early the next morning, reaching Concord shortly after The British nearly lost this first battle, but reinforcements arrived just in time Total casualties=273 British, 95 colonial. The American colonies are now official enemies of the crown
The Shot Heard Around the World Lexington and Concord is nicknamed The Shot Heard Around the World because the event sparked worldwide effects Never before had a European nation as powerful as Great Britain been challenged by her own colonies The world turned its attention to the events of this revolutionanxiously awaiting the outcome
The 2 nd Continental Congress May 1775 Met in Philadelphia to create the Continental Army and chose a commander Well respected and admired throughout the colonies, 43 year-old George Washington was the obvious choice Washington accepted the commission but was sure defeat would follow
The Battle of Bunker Hill June 17, 1775 Actually fought at Breed s Hill Deadliest battle of the war The tree of Liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is its natural manure. -Thomas Jefferson- Colonists lost 311 men; British lost over 1,000
The Olive Branch Petition In July 1775, the colonists make a last attempt at peace with King George They sent what became known as the Olive Branch Petition, asking King George for a reasonable peace (not independence) King George refused and accused them of treason
Writing the Declaration Written by Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin (Jefferson drafted it) Stated that the purpose of government was to protect the rights of its people If government fails to protect those rights, it is the citizen s responsibility to replace it (social contract theory) Franklin, Adams, and Jefferson If you would not be forgotten as soon as your are dead and rotten, either write things worth reading, or do things worth the writing. -Benjamin Franklin-
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.
Thomas Jefferson Virginia lawyer Chosen to write the Declaration because of his skill with words Drew on concepts of philosophers John Locke and Jean Jacques Rousseau
John Locke Maintained that people enjoy natural rights to life, liberty, and property. Two Treatises of Government Thomas Jefferson Jefferson defined these unalienable rights as Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness
The Declaration of Independence Adopted on July 4, 1776 Declared the colonies free and independent from Great Britain
Independence Hall Philadelphia The Declaration was adopted at Independence Hall
The Declaration of Independence Unaware of what was taking place in Philadelphia, King George III wrote in his diary on July 4, 1776, Nothing of importance happened today.
Famous Signers Most famous signer of the Declaration His name has come to refer to a person s signature Reportedly signed his name large so that King George would not need his spectacles to read it
Famous Signers Benjamin Franklin We must all hang together, or most assuredly we shall all hang separately. (July 4, 1776) Thomas Jefferson When a man assumes a public trust, he should consider himself as public property.
More Famous Signers Richard Henry Lee *one of the 1st to call for independence *Grandfather of Robert E. Lee John Adams *1st vice president, 2nd president I must study politics and war that my sons might have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy. Samuel Adams *founder of The Sons of Liberty Benjamin Harrison *ancestor of future presidents, William Henry and Benjamin Harrison
Signers From Georgia Button Gwinnett Lyman Hall George Walton
British Advantages/Disadvantages Advantages Endless supplies Well-trained army Money Experience Generals Loyalists (knew land/who the patriots were-keep GB informed) Disadvantages Fighting on foreign soil Mercenaries/ Hessians (hired German soldiers; no loyalty to Britain) Uniforms (hot, bright red) Foreign relations (many conflicts with France and Spain) Pride (too confident of victory)
American Advantages/Disadvantages Advantages Home advantage (knew land) Fighting for a cause (independence) Hit and Run tactics George Washington (excellent general; inspires troops) Spy Network (keep us informed) French Aid (send troops/supplies) Disadvantages Lack of supplies (no money, no way to raise it) Untrained army (mostly made up of the militia who had little experience in battle) Fighting Great Britain (greatest power in the world)
George Washington I hope I shall possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain what I consider the most enviable of all titles, the character of an honest man. When we assumed the soldier, we did not lay aside the citizen.
The Battle of Trenton December 25, 1776 Washington chose to attack in Trenton, New Jersey Crossed the Delaware River on Christmas morning and took 100 Hessian soldiers captive Mostly a moral victory for US, but it meets its goal: Washington s troops reenlist
Surrender of Hessian Troops to Washington at Trenton
Winter at Valley Forge Washington s Winter Camp (located in Pennsylvania) Harsh conditions (lack of food, shoes, coats, money to purchase supplies), many amputations, desertions
Winter at Valley Forge General Washington and General Lafayette at Valley Forge
Washington s Headquarters Valley Forge He was indeed, in every sense of the word, a wise, a good and a great man -Thomas Jefferson speaking of Washington-
The French at Valley Forge General Friedrich von Steuben and the Marquis de LaFayette joined Washington at Valley Forge to offer encouragement and hope that supplies and reinforcements were on their way
The Battle of Saratoga October 1777 General Horatio Gates -United States- Gentleman Johnny Burgoyne -Great Britain-
The Battle of Saratoga October 1777 Burgoyne surrendered to Gates at Saratoga on October 17, 1777 Considered the turning point of the war (it proved we could win) Because of our victory at Saratoga, France decided to join in our cause and sent supplies and troops
Benedict Arnold Most famous traitor in US history Hero of the Battle of Saratoga, where he was wounded Received command of West Point from Washington after his injury Influenced by his Loyalist wife to turn Washington over to the British Plot was uncovered-arnold escaped and became general in British Army Died in Britain, hated by both sides Few men have virtue enough to withstand the highest bidder. -George Washington-
The Battle of Yorktown September 28-October 17, 1781 British troops under Gen. Charles Cornwallis retreat to Yorktown, VA The Continental Army surrounded them by land, while the French blocked their escape by sea The siege of Yorktown lasted a month and ended on October 17, 1781.
The Battle of Yorktown, 1781 General Charles Cornwallis raised the white flag of surrender at Yorktown on October 17, 1781 Pleaded illness at the last minute and sent General Charles O Hara in his place to surrender his sword to Washington General Charles Cornwallis After O Hara handed over the sword, the British troops laid down their arms
The British Surrender at Yorktown Famous painting by John Trumbull. Historically inaccurate because General Cornwallis was not present at the ceremony. Humanity has won its battle. Liberty now has a country. -Marquis de LaFayette-
The Treaty of Paris Signed September 3, 1783 Officially ends the war Confirmed US independence Set boundaries of US between Mexico and Canada, and the Mississippi River and the Atlantic Ocean Also guaranteed the removal of British troops within these areas
American Negotiators at the Treaty of Paris John Adams Ben Franklin John Jay