THE AGE OF REVOLUTIONS

1. THE AGE OF REVOLUTIONS To examine the British settlers in America.

2. THE AGE OF REVOLUTIONS • In the 16th century English explorers were sent to the New World to seek a passage to the Indies. However, gradually the government became more concerned with establishing overseas colonies. It was hoped that these territories would provide an outlet for her surplus population, a source of raw materials for her expanding industries and a market for its manufactured goods. • In 1607 James I granted permission for a group of merchants to establish a permanent English settlement in America at Jamestown, Virginia. John Smith was elected president of the Virginia Colony in 1608 and soon afterwards explored the coast of New England. At first the venture attracted adventurers who hoped to make their fortunes in the colonies. The idea also appealed to people who were being persecuted for their political and religious beliefs.

3. THE AGE OF REVOLUTIONS • What were the reasons for people going to the new world? • In 1607 J____ _ granted permission for a permanent settlement in America in J________, V_______. J___ S____ was elected president of the colony.

4. THE AGE OF REVOLUTIONS • From 1600 people from Britain set up thirteen colonies in north America. These included Virginia, Massachusetts, and New York. By 1770 about 4 million people lived there. • The British king George III sent a governor to rule each colony. The governor usually consulted with an Assembly elected by the people living in the colony. • This system worked well because America was a long way from Britain and the colonists usually did what they wanted.

5. THE AGE OF REVOLUTIONS • George Washington owned a tobacco plantation in Mount Vernon, Virginia. He gained experience in war during the Seven Years’ War against the French and represented Virginia at Congress. He was appointed Commander-in-chief of the Continental (American) Army to oppose Britain. • Complete the cloze exercise on George Washington – page ##

6. CAUSES OF AMERICAN WAR OF INDEPENDENCE

7. DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE • Representatives from all 13 colonies met in Philadelphia and formed a ‘Continental Congress’. They cut links with Britain by issuing the Declaration of Independence on 4th July 1776. It said that all men were equal and outlined rights. It also said that a government should be agreed to by the people, knowing that they would have to fight for this independence.

8. AMERICAN WAR OF INDEPENDENCE • The B______ army was better trained than the A_______ army. But the Americans were f_______ for their h____ and they had a good leader, G_____ W_________. He avoided b______, but in the winter of 1777 his a___ was nearly destroyed in V_____ F____. In the s_____ he heard that the F_____ had joined the A________. This helped him d_____ the British at Y_______. King G_____ gave in and accepted A_______ independence. • The Americans wrote a C___________. It set up a r_______ with an elected p________ and an elected c_______. All f___ men could vote for the p________ and the congress. But w____ and s_____ were not allowed to vote. A________ also got the right to f___ s_____ and the right to own p_______. Americans agreed that G_____ W_________ must be the f____ American president.

9. GEORGE WASHINGTON • George Washington owned a tobacco plantation in Mount Virginia. He gained experience in war during the Seven Years’War against the French. He represented Virginia in war during the Continental Congress, which appointed him commander-in-chief of the Continental (American) Army to oppose Britain. As commander-in-chief, he faced a number of problems: his army was made up of part-time soldiers who often went home to farm. On the other hand, the British army was more experienced and disciplined. Washington began with success in taking Princeton, but he soon lost New York. His first important success was his surprise attack on the British at Trenton. He also sent some of his troops to help General Gates defeat the British at Saratoga. This was a turning point in the war because now the French began to help the Americans. However, during the winter of 1777/78, Washington had to retreat to Valley Forge, about 20 miles from Philadelphia, which was under British control.

10. GEORGE WASHINGTON • In Valley Forge, Washington’s men suffered from cold and starvation and many returned home. But Washington stayed there and he got Baron von Steuben, a Prussian army officer, to train the soldiers, making them into a disciplined army. Washington’s army continued to fight over the next few years. In 1781, Washington surrounded the British army under Cornwallis at Yorktown. Washington was helped by the French navy, which cut off supplies to the British from the sea. The British were forced to surrender. A couple of years later, America got its independence at the Treaty of Versailles. After the war, Washington headed the Constitutional Convention, which drew up the American Constitution. He then served eight years as president of the United States of America. When he died at his home in Mount Vernon, he was regarded as ‘the Father of the United States’.

11. RESULTS: • American Constitution. • George Washington became the first president. • The USA began as 13 states but expanded to 50. • Most powerful country in the world during the 20th century. • Inspired the 1789 French revolution. • Inspired the 1798 rising in Ireland.