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Colonial Development. The Road to Independence & Our First National Government. Different Countries – Different Reasons. Different countries came to the New World for different reasons: France – Fur trade Spanish – the 3 G’s English – Freedom
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Colonial Development The Road to Independence & Our First National Government
Different Countries – Different Reasons • Different countries came to the New World for different reasons: • France – Fur trade • Spanish – the 3 G’s • English – Freedom • Why would the reason for settlement make a difference in colonists staying or leaving?
Colonial Development • When the English colonist arrived in North America, they found the land presented them with dangers as well as opportunities. • It was the dangers that pushed the colonies towards unity but only independence would successfully unite all 13 colonies. • What particular danger made unity a must? • Indian attacks (The New England Confederation)
What finally successfully united all thirteen colonies? Independence
The 13 Original Colonies • Connecticut • Delaware • Georgia • Maryland • Massachusetts • New Hampshire • New Jersey • New York • North Carolina • Pennsylvania • South Carolina • Rhode Island • Virginia
Reasons of Seeking Independence • There was a physical and political distance. • Physical distance – the colonies were separated from Great Britain by an ocean – they were 3,000 miles apart. • Political distance – since the very first permanent settlement (150 years earlier), the colonies had ruled themselves. • In 1760, the British throne was passed to George III. He agreed with British Parliament that the colonies had become too independent. • The Seven Year’s War had plunged Britain into debt. These war debts had to be paid and Britain saw the colonies as a way of repaying them. The British began passing several trade restrictions & taxes on the colonists.
Colonist Were Angry for Two Reasons Colonists were upset over two things: • Taxes • Trade Restrictions "No taxation without Representation." Colonist's resentment came to a head after the Boston Massacre on March 5, 1770 when British soldiers shot and killed 5 protestors. Click here for a video!
Not Your Momma’s Tea Party! • 1773 Parliament placed a tax on imported tea • When the first load of taxed tea arrived in Boston Harbor, colonists dressed as Indians and emptied 342 chests of tea into the harbor
The Intolerable Acts • Parliament's reaction to the Boston Tea Party • Closed Boston Harbor to all ships except British ships • The Quartering Act forced colonists to house and feed British soldiers or get shot • Colonists would no longer be tried in colonial courts, but instead in British courts
First Continental Congress • Began September 5, 1774 in Philadelphia at Independence Hall • Delegates from all colonies except Georgia met to discuss the problems with Great Britain. This Meeting Did 3 Things: • It called for a boycott of all British goods. • Boycott – an agreement to stop buying or using goods or services. • They wrote a list of grievances to King George III • They planned to meet again if the King did not meet their demands.
Second Continental Congress • Decided to meet again after British soldiers clashed with colonial militias on April 19, 1775 at Lexington and Concord • Began May 10, 1775 again at Independence Hall in Philadelphia • Delegates voted to form a Continental Army led by George Washington • Most delegates were in favor of independence, but it wasn't until June 1776 that a committee of five men began drafting a declaration of independence • Thomas Jefferson (VA), John Adams (MA), Benjamin Franklin (PA), Roger Sherman (CT), Robert Livingston (NY) • On July 4, 1776 the delegates approved the Dec. of Independence • Click here for a video!Another video!
Declaration of Independence It’s too late to apologize. Another video? Awesome! Components of the Declaration of Independence • Lists the reasons the colonies were seeking independence • Statement of American ideals – purpose of government is to protect our natural rights • Mapped out the kind of government the delegates wanted.
Our First National Government • During the 5 years at war, the Continental Congress served as the new nation's government. • The Congress appointed a committee to prepare a plan of government known as the Articles of Confederation. • Congress approved the plan in 1777 and sent it to the states for ratification, approval. The states didn't approve the Articles until 1781.
State Constitutions • State lawmakers believed that government should be based on an established set of principles. • These princples included popular sovereignty, limited government, the rule of law and majority rule. • States also separated the powers of gov. between an executive, legislative and judicial branches. • Each state constitution began with a statement of individual rights • They typically limited voting rights to white men who paid taxes and owned property • All states south of Pennsylvania denied slaves equal rights
The End to a Long War & The Beginning of a Great Nation • The last battle of the American Revolution was the Battle of Yorktown – October 19, 1781. • The official end was not until September 3, 1789 when the Treaty of Paris was signed.
