The Coming of Independence

1. The Coming of Independence

2. Britain’s Policies • The colonies were controlled through the Privy Council and Board of Trade • For practical purposes, they had enjoyed large amounts of self government • A sort of federal system emerged • George III was more aggressive towards the colonies • Through taxes • “Taxation without representation” • Colonial cooperation was not a new feature

3. George III

4. Early Attempts at Unity • New England Confederation • Hatched in 1643 • Massachusetts Bay, Plymouth, New Haven, Connecticut • Primary function was protection from Native Americans • Disbanded in 1684 • William Penn’s Plan • More of an idea than an actual plan • Proposed in 1696 • Wanted cooperation in: • Trade • Defense • Criminal Proceedings • Nothing ever came of this “plan”

5. William Penn

6. The Albany Plan • Had been a large problem with French and Native American Attacks • At a meeting in 1754 Ben Franklin proposed a revolutionary idea • Wanted a “congress” of delegates from each of the colonies • The congress would have the power to: • Raise an army and navy • Make war/peace with Native Americans • Power of the purse • The King rejected the idea

7. Ben Franklin

8. The Stamp Act (and Congress) • The Stamp Act of 1765 angered the colonists (Why?) • Colonists from nine colonies sent delegates to the Stamp Act Congress • They prepared the Declaration of Rights and Grievances • Stamp Act was repealed by Parliament

9. The Boston Massacre • Colonists had been protesting and boycotting English goods • A crowd gathered in Boston on March 5, 1770 • British troops fired on the growing mob • Five were killed

10. Continued Protests • Committees of Correspondence • Formed in 1772 by Sam Adams • Allowed colonists (Patriots) to meet and compare notes • Boston Tea Party • December 16, 1773 • Was a response to the Tea Act • Dumped 300+ crates of tea into the harbor

11. Intolerable Acts • Parliament passed a series of acts in retaliation for the Boston Tea Party (Spring of 1774) • Boston Port Act • Massachusetts Government Act • Administration of Justice Act • Quartering Act • Quebec Act • This sparks the First Continental Congress to meet

12. First Continental Congress The political heavyweights of the day are going to meet in Philly on September 5, 1774 They meet for nearly two months Sent more grievances to George III Wanted to boycott English goods until all of the taxes and regulations were lifted Eventually, all legislatures will support this first congress

13. First Continental Congress

14. The Shot Heard Round The World • Nothing had changes for the colonists • On April 19th, 1775, the Revolutionary War starts • Britain and the “Minutemen” meet at Lexington • The first shot is likely accidental but it starts something that will likely occur

15. The Second Continental Congress • Formed on May 10, 1775 and will serve as the government until March 1, 1781 • Each of the colonies sent representatives • Was called a “den of traitors” by the English government • It did the following things: • Raised an army (lickety split) • Borrowed money • Established a monetary system • Bought war supplies • Negotiated with foreign entities • It was unicameral in nature and equal in representation

16. The Second Continental Congress

17. Declaration of Independence • Richard Henry Lee was the first to propose a total break with Britain • A committee was formed to draft the resolution • Franklin, Sherman, Adams, Livingston, Jefferson • Jefferson’s fingerprints are all over the final product • They agree to the split with England on July 2nd • On July 4th, they formally adopted the Declaration of Independence

18. “We Hold These Truths to be Self Evident…”