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Bellringer. Chapter 2: Roots of American Democracy Section 2: The Birth of a Democratic Society. Colonial Resistance and Rebellion
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Chapter 2: Roots of American Democracy Section 2: The Birth of a Democratic Society Colonial Resistance and Rebellion A. The British government began to tighten its grip on the American colonies. King George III adopted a policy of mercantilism, the theory that a country should sell more goods to other countries than it buys. Britain wanted to buy American raw materials at low prices and sell colonists British products at high prices.
B. Britain won land in North America from France in the French and Indian War. To pay off war debts and cover the costs of ruling the new lands, Britain taxed the colonists. C. Colonists resented the taxes. They had no representatives in Parliament - “No taxation without representation.”
D. In protest, many colonists decided to boycott, or refuse to buy, British goods. As a result, Parliament agreed to repeal, or cancel, the Stamp Tax and other taxes. However, Parliament soon replaced them with new taxes. Parliament’s Declaratory Act stated that it had the right to tax and make decisions for the colonies.
E. The Townshend Acts taxed needed goods imported to the colonies. The colonists again boycotted.
F. The Tea Act allowed the British East India Company to bypass colonial merchants and sell tea directly to shopkeepers at low prices. In response, colonists blocked all the company’s ships from colonial ports, except in Boston. There colonists dressed as Native Americans dumped the British tea into Boston Harbor - the Boston Tea Party. G. Parliament responded with the Coercive Acts, which restricted colonists’ rights.
II. Movement Toward Independence A. The colonies sent delegates, or representatives, to a meeting in Philadelphiaknown as the First Continental Congress. They demanded that King George III restore their rights. The king responded with force.
B. The Revolutionary War began with battles at Lexington and Concord. Colonists started to question their loyalty to Britain. They began talking about independence, or self-reliance and freedom from outside control.
C. At the Second Continental Congress, some delegates wanted independence. Others still felt loyal to Britain. Thomas Paine’s pamphletCommon Senseswayed publicopinion toward independence. Finally, the Second Continental Congress agreed.
III. The Declaration of Independence A. The Declaration of Independence, written mostly by Thomas Jefferson, explained why the United States should be a free nation. It argued that the British government did not look after the interests of the colonists. It listed many abuses by the king.
B. The Declaration said that the purpose of government is to protect the rights of the people. Government is based on consent of the people. If it disregards their rights or their will, the people are entitled to change or overthrow it.
D. The Second Continental Congress approved the Declaration on July 4, 1776. True freedom arrived when Britain officially recognized the United States at the war’s end.
C. These ideas were influenced by philosopher John Locke. He saw government as a contract between the people and the rulers. The people agree to give up some freedoms and abide by government decisions. In return, the government promises to protect them and their liberty. If it misuses its power, the people should rebel.
