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Journey to Independence: From English Bill of Rights to the Declaration of Independence

Explore the freedoms granted in the English Bill of Rights, Locke's beliefs on governance, early colonial governments, and the road to independence. Understand the factors that caused conflict with the British and the importance of state constitutions.

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Journey to Independence: From English Bill of Rights to the Declaration of Independence

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  1. Bell Work • What were some of the freedoms granted in the English Bill of Rights? • What was Locke’s beliefs as to how people should be governed? • In what ways were early colonial governments democractic? • What is the 5th Amendment?

  2. Uniting for Independence Chapter 2 Section 2

  3. Objectives • What factors caused the British to allow the colonists to operate with little interference between 1607-1763 • Why were the colonists and the British unable to compromise and settle their differences?

  4. The Colonies on Their Own • Colonies were an economic source for British • Colonies begin to govern themselves • Distance and travel • Easier to govern themselves with representatives • Colonists loyal to crown for self-rule and protection

  5. Britain Tightens Control • Two events change relationship • French and Indian War • French removed • Colonists no longer need British for protection • English War Debt • Colonists expected to help repay • George III - ideas of how the colonists should be governed

  6. Taxing the Colonies • Stamp Act (1765) • Taxed: Tea, sugar, glass legal docs, pamphlets, newspapers, dice and playing cards • First direct tax on the colonists • Revenue increased as well as resentment

  7. Taxing the Colonies • Colonists respond with protests/boycotts • Stamp Act repealed; other acts replace it • Boston Tea Party – 1773 – Colonists dressed as Mohawk Indians dumped 342 chests of tea into Boston Harbor

  8. Taxing the Colonies • Parliament passes Coercive Acts • Colonists – Intolerable Acts • Restricted freedoms • Closed Boston Harbor • Mass. loses right to self govern

  9. Colonial Unity • Colonists viewed themselves as British subjects first; later as members of their own colonies • Albany Plan of Union • Response to French attacks • Plan to unite the colonies • Rejected by colonists and crown (too much power to representative body) • British policies begins to unite colonies

  10. Colonial Unity • Stamp Act Congress • 9/13 colonies represented • Protest King George’s actions • Sent petition arguing only colonial leg. Could impose direct taxes • Committees of Correspondence • Encouraged resistance • Samuel Adams creates first committee in Boston • Communication network connected colonies and colonists

  11. Colonial Unity • First Continental Congress • Response to Intolerable Acts • 12/13 (not Georgia); Philadelphia Sept. 5, 1774 • Patrick Henry, Samuel Adams, Richard Henry Lee, George Washington • Agreed on an embargo; meet again if needed • April 19, 1775 – Lexington and Concord • The “shot heard ‘round the world”

  12. Colonial Unity • Second Continental Congress • Met in Philadelphia; all 13 represented • Took over as a central government • John Hancock – 1st President • Organized army and navy; issued money • George Washington head of Continental Army • No constitutional authority • Served as acting government of colonies • Purchased supplies, negotiated treaties, rallied support for colonists’ cause

  13. Independence • Common Sense – Thomas Paine • Influenced many colonists • Monarchy was a corrupt form of government; George III an enemy to liberty • Richard Henry Lee introduces resolution to Continental Congress for independence • 1 year after fighting had started

  14. Independence • Declaration of Independence • Committee: John Adams, Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Robert Livingston, Roger Sherman • Jefferson to write the draft • July 2 – Congress approved Lee’s resolution • July 4 – Final draft approved • Hancock the first to sign (largest signature); all 56 delegates sign • Major Parts • Used Locke and other writers ideas • Gave reason for declaration; justify the revolution and create founding principles

  15. Independence • 3 Sections • Statement of purpose and basic human rights • List of grievances against George III • Determination to separate from Britain after many failed attempts to make peace • State Constitutions • By 1776 10 states had adopted written constitutions • Shortly after every state had a constitution or old colonial charters made into constitutions • Most contained a Bill of Rights; all recognized citizens as sole authority in limited government

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