Written by: Greg Clevenger

1. Written by: Greg Clevenger

2. The Story Thus Far • European nations were competing with each other for: • World resources • Military strength • Political superiority • Some nations were upsetting the balance of power

3. Overview • Also called War for Independence • Started in 1775 in Lexington and Concord Massachusetts • Caused America to separate from Great Britain • Ended in 1783

4. Major Causes • The French and Indian War • The Sugar Act • The Stamp Act • Colonial Responses to these taxes, followed by repercussions from England… a “snowball” effect.

5. The French and Indian War—1754 • Rivalry between the French and British • Who will control North America? • British, colonists, and Native American allies fought French and Native American allies

6. The French and Indian War—1754 • Great Britain’s national debt nearly doubled during the war • British expected Americans to help pay for protection • The war lasted nine years

7. The Sugar Act - 1764 • Proclamation of 1763 prohibiting settlement beyond the Appalachian Mountains • attempt to raise income from the Colonies • Duty on sugar and molasses not obtained from Britain • Smuggling cases tried in Great Britain

8. The Stamp Act—1765 • Official government stamp required for EVERY piece of printed paper used – newspapers, documents, playing cards, etc. • First internal tax paying for British protection • Some British Stamp Agents attacked – tar and feathers

9. Colonial Response • Colonists beginning to unite? • 1765 – Stamp Act Congress (NY) • John Rutledge (SC) attends (p. 54 – 55 in From Colonies to Country) • Visits with William Johnson • Forms solid relationship with Northerners • Belief is that Colonial Assemblies should decide on their taxes • Two worlds (North and South) are coming together? What is the difference in slave pop.?

10. More Major Causes • The Townshend Acts • Boston Massacre • Boston Tea Party • The Intolerable Acts

11. A Taxing King • William Pitt – “This is the mother country, they are the children; they must obey, and we prescribe.” • Pitt speaks up for American colonies in the 1766 (see p. 50 in From Colonies to Country in the box titled “No Right to Tax”)

12. A question… • Is taxation an issue today? • What do we get for our money? • Is it worth it?

13. Who are these Americans? • Views from England – Americans are a “mongrel breed” – inferior • The reality in America – we are developing a proud, unique spirit of independence and strength • King George III wants to teach us a lesson…. • Levied taxes, wouldn’t listen to colonists, sent soldiers to America to enforce his wishes (housed and fed by Americans) • Not a wise king by most accounts

14. The Townshend Acts—1767 • “Champagne Charlie” • Import duties on tea, lead, glass, and paint colors • Money used to pay royal governors and take care of “Budget Problems” • Foreign War = BILLS • “No taxation without representation” • As stated in Magna Carta (1215) • Colonial boycotts lead to repeal in 1770 (except tea) • Eng. Merchants were losing money Townshend

15. Boston Diary • “Dined with three hundred and fifty Sons of Liberty, at Robinson’s, the Sign of Liberty Tree in Dorchester…. To the Honour of the Sons, I did not see one Person intoxicated, or near it.” • —John Adams (1769) Single click the speaker icon to hear the clip >>>>

16. FIREBRANDS • SAM ADAMS – troublemaker for English, agitator, Bostonian with Puritan roots, Harvard man • Wants people to rule themselves • Starts Committees of Correspondence • Starts Sons of Liberty • Came from $$$... A little lazy with family business affairs…. Motivated by FREEDOM!!

17. FIREBRANDS • PATRICK HENRY – Southerner (Anglican), Virginian, country boy • “forest-born Demosthenes” • Great orator and freedom fighter – ancient Greece • Stamp Act is a “threat to liberty” • Some see this as treason… “If this be treason, make the most of it.” • House of Burgesses is dissolved by the governor • Kept meeting in the Raleigh Tavern • Eventually had to meet in a Richmond church b/c of danger

18. FIREBRANDS • PATRICK HENRY • You MUST read about his most famous speech (p. 61 – 62 in From Colonies to Country) • “GIVE ME LIBERTY or GIVE ME DEATH!”

19. FIREBRANDS • THOMAS PAINE – came from England in 1774, lives in the Middle Colonies (Philadelphia), Franklin helped him get set up as a writer/editor, deist with Quaker friends • Common Sense (pamphlet) • See p. 59 in From Colonies to Country • Copies spread like wildfire all over the colonies • “These are the times that try men’s souls.”

20. FIREBRANDS • THOMAS PAINE – • Believed in the American cause • Never took any money for his writings • It would demean them • Enlisted in the Continental Army • Gave a third of his salary to help Washington’s army “We have it in our power to begin the world again.”

21. Boston Massacre—1770 • 1765 – Quartering Act • 1768 – troops move in, led by Gen. Thomas Gage • Crowd of colonists threaten British soldiers • British open fire killing five Americans • Col. Thomas Preston • Parliament canceled the Townshend duties

22. Boston Tea Party—1773 • British sold tea even more cheaply than smuggled tea • Colonists dressed up as Mohawks • Tea was dumped overboard • 342 chests • King is furious!

23. Tea Party Diary • “Last Night 3 Cargoes of Bohea Tea were emptied into the sea. This Morning, a Man of War sails. This is the most magnificent Movement of all.” • —John Adams (1773)

24. A question…. Are illegal acts ever justified?

25. The Intolerable Acts—1774 • King and Lord North (Prime Minister) respond harshly • Closed the Port of Boston • American town meetings banned • British officials in trouble sent to Great Britain for trial • ½ citizens are out of work, worry about starvation

26. First Continental Congress • 56 Delegates (none from Georgia) • Included George Washington, Patrick Henry and John and Sam Adams • Direct response to Intolerable Acts • Met in Philadelphia – 1774

27. Colonists Agreed To: • Boycott British goods • John Jay (NY) • Arm themselves and form militias • Patrick Henry • Appeal to the king • John Dickinson • Resolutions Passed • Rights to life, liberty, property

28. King George III Refused To: • Allow American colonist representation in Parliament • No respond to colonists’ complaints and official grievances King George III

29. “The Shot Heard Round the World” • American colonists stockpiled weapons in Concord, Massachusetts • 800 British troops marched on Concord • Paul Revere: “The British are coming!”

30. The Armed Militia • Known as “Minutemen” • 70 Minutemen on the Village Green • Uncertain which side fired first • 50 Americans killed and 45 wounded or missing • 65 British killed and 208 wounded or missing

31. Lexington Diary “At 10 of the clock last night, the King’s troops marched out from the bottom of the common, crossed over to Phips Farm, marched on ’till they came to Lexington.” —Timothy Newell (1775)

32. Lexington Famous Quote • “Stand your ground, don’t fire unless fired upon. But if they mean to have a war, let it begin here!” • —Captain Parker Single click the speaker icon to hear the clip >>>>

33. Second Continental Congress • Decided to officially separate from Britain • Committee selected to draft the reasons for separation • Thomas Jefferson selected to write document • Met in Philadelphia

34. The Declaration of Independence • Written by Thomas Jefferson • It is the “Birth Certificate of the United States” • Document listed rights and grievances against King George III

35. The Declaration of Independence • John Hancock first to sign in large print • Anyone who signed it and was caught would be hanged • “We must all now hang together, or most assuredly we will all hang separately." —Benjamin Franklin Hancock

36. Key Quotes in the Declaration • “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” Locke

37. Independence Diary • “There were bonfires, ringing bells, with other great demonstrations of joy upon the unanimity and agreement of the Declaration.” • —Christopher Marshall (1776)

38. Choosing Sides • Patriots – Supported the Revolution • Loyalists – Americans who supported the King • Red Coats/ Lobsterbacks – British Army

39. What Happened to those who Signed? • Five were captured by the British, though eventually released • Approximately 12 had their homes ransacked and burned • One lost his son in the Continental Army • Several suffered wounds in various battles

40. Revolutionary Armies – The British • British Army most powerful in world • Also well-equipped with weapons • Highly trained and disciplined for war on land or high seas

41. Revolutionary Armies • Americans shot more accurately • British carried three days provisions • British gear weighed about 100 pounds

42. Revolutionary Armies – The Americans • Revolutionary Army knew lay of the land • Used weapons appropriate for landscape • Wore pieces of different uniforms • Brown army clothing

43. British Advantages • Well-equipped • Disciplined • Strongest navy

44. American Advantages • Accuracy of the rifle • Knowledge of the land • Guerilla warfare tactics • Superb command

45. Patriot Video Single click screen to view video:

46. British Soldier Quotes • British soldiers faced new challenges • “Damn those Americans. They will not stand and fight.” • “Settle your affairs at home before leaving for The Colonies; you probably won’t be coming back again.” Single click the speaker icon to hear the clip >>>>

47. Military Leaders—American • George Washington: Commander of Americans Forces • Nathanael Greene: Top Strategist • Henry Knox: Artillery Expert

48. Military Leaders—British • General Charles Cornwallis • General John Burgoyne • All considered America one of the worst places to serve

49. Marquis de Lafayette Other Key Players • France, Spain, Germany and Poland • The Marquis de Lafayette: Frenchman who supported American cause • Huge percentage of American gunpowder came from France

50. Other Key Players • Thaddeus Kosciusko: Polish military engineer helping Patriots • Baron Friedrich von Steuben: German military commander who helped train American troops