What experiences led to the American Revolution?

1. What experiences led to the American Revolution? WTP 2: Unit 2 Lesson 7

2. Objective Students will be able to: Explain how constitutional government developed in the colonies. Explain why colonists decided to fight for their independence.

3. Which ideas did colonists in America use to create their governments? Charter – legal document from king to start a colony. Most charters said little about government, so they were to: • Protect colonists from abuse by British government • Protect colonists from abuse by local government.

4. All Colonial Governments included the following ideas • To protect Natural Rights • Representative government in colony ex. Virginia House of Burgesses 1619 • Rule of law • Separation of power  3 branches - executive  governor - legislative  All but one followed the model of parliament (two houses) - judicial  judges appointed by governor • Checks and Balances

5. Why did the British government tighten control over the colonies? For most of colonial history, Britain didn’t care because: • too busy with war in Europe • Long distance slowed communication Neglect leads colonies to autonomy. - After expensive war, Parliament raises taxes on both Britain and colonies.

6. What was the colonial perspective of tightened control over the colonies? -“No Taxation Without Representation” • Colonies had no representation in Parliament  only colonial legislatures should be able to tax colonies.

7. What was the British perspective of tightened control over the colonies? “Ungrateful children” • Taxes paid for safety/prosperity • Parliament did not represent individuals or specific areas but all British subjects, no matter where they lived.

8. How did the colonists resist British control? Committees of correspondence: informed/ communicated between colonies Sons of Liberty: - Burning effigies of royal officials • Lynching tax collectors Daughters of Liberty: • Boycott • Spun own yarn and linens • Gave up drinking tea

9. How did the colonists resist British control? Boston Massacre, 1770 • 5 died • Convinced Americans that the British would use military force to make them obey the laws. Boston Tea Party, 1773 -Response to Tea Act, tea into harbor British Response: Close Boston Harbor

10. Simpson’s Moment Burns: (showing Homer the Burns Hall of Patriots) That man is my great grandfather, Franklin Jefferson Burns, tossing that tea without a care...for what the caffeine would do to the Fenway flounder.Homer: Is that a fish?Burns: It was.

11. How did the colonists resist British control? First Continental Congress 1774 • Met in Philadelphia • Purpose: decide on the best response to British action • Members agreed to a self-imposed ban on trade with Great Britain.

12. How did the colonists resist British control? Second Continental Congress, May 1775 Following the Battles of Lexington and Concord, • organized the Continental Army • appointed George Washington to lead the army One year later, Congress appointed a special committee.

13. How did the colonists resist British control? Congress asked a committee to draft a document explaining why the colonists felt it was necessary to free themselves from British rule.