Uniting for Independence

1. Uniting for Independence Events that led to Independence 9/8/11

2. Second Continental Congress Boston Tea Party French and Indian War 1st Continental Congress Declaration of Independence 1st battle of Revolutionary War Development of State Constitutions Colonial Unity George III becomes King of Great Britain Stamp Act Events

3. French and Indian War 1754-1763 • Started as a struggle between French and British over land. The British won but had a large amount of war debt that they expected the colonies to help repay.

4. George III becomes King (1760) • Determined to deal more firmly with American colonies. • Levied taxes on the colonies.

5. Stamp Act of 1765 • 1st tax on colonies that included legal documents, pamphlets, newspapers, etc.

6. Boston Tea Party (1773) • Colonists dump tea into Boston Harbor to protest taxes on tea.

7. Colonial Unity (1770’s) • Colonies organized and petitioned against King George’s decisions on taxes. • Urged colonial resistance to the British.

8. 1st Continental Congress September 5, 1774 • Colonies decided to not use British goods. • Imposed an embargo- agreement that prohibited trade

9. 1st battle of the Revolutionary WarApril 19, 1775 • King George announced that New England governments were in a state of rebellion. • British redcoats clashed with colonial minuteman at Lexington and Concord in Massachusetts.

10. 2nd Continental CongressMay 1775 • Assumed the powers of a central government • Organized army and navy • Issued money • Made George Washington the commander of the Army

11. Declaration of IndependenceJuly 4, 1776 • Declared colonial independence from Great Britain.

12. State Constitutions • Colonies became states with no higher authority. • By the end of 1776, 10 states had developed written constitutions.