A quick recap
of the events
leading to the
signing of the
Declaration of
Independence!
American Ideas
vs.
British Control
 For
almost 100 years,
American colonial
governments enjoyed relative
“self -government” from
Britain.
 In 1760, King George III
takes the throne and demands
more control over America
“French & Indian War”
“French & Indian War”
The “French & Indian War”
(1754-1763) made things
worse.
 The war was extremely
expensive for the British
government, leading to
increased taxes in America.
 The Proclamation Line kept
colonist from expanding west
and brought more British
troops to the colonies.

“Stamp Act” (1765)
“Stamp Act” (1765)
 The
first significant
tax was the “Stamp
Act” of 1765.
 This
act required
expensive tax
stamps on all
newspapers and
legal documents
“No Taxation Without
Representation”
“No Taxation Without
Representation”
 American
colonists
resented these new
taxes by the British.
 Since
they had no
representation in the
British Parliament,
they felt they should
not have to pay taxes.
American Boycotts
American Boycotts
 In
protest, many
Americans began to
“boycott” or refuse
to buy British goods.
 As
a result, the
British government
“repealed” or
cancelled the act.
“Townshend Acts” (1767)
“Townshend Acts” (1767)
new “Townshend
Act” of 1767 replaced
other British taxes.
 The
 This
act allowed taxes to
be levied on basic goods
imported to the colonies
from Great Britain
(glass, tea, paper, etc.)
“Tea Act” (1773)
“Tea Act”
followed, allowing
the British East India
Company to bypass
colonial government
tax requirements.
 The
 American
merchants
were outraged. >:/
“Boston Tea Party”
“Coercive” (“Intolerable”) Acts
 To
respond to the
“Boston Tea Party”,
the British
Parliament instituted
the “Coercive Acts”.
 Called the
“Intolerable Acts” by
America, they
restricted colonial
rights.
First Continental Congress
(1774)
First Continental Congress (1774)
 In
1774, 12 of the 13
American colonies
sent “delegates” or
representatives to
Philadelphia to
express their
concerns with
Britain’s new taxes.
 Georgia did not
attend.
First Continental Congress (1774)
 Congress
sent a letter
to King George
demanding the rights
of the colonists be
restored.
 All
agreed to meet
again within a year if
the king did not
agree.
King George’s Response
THE AMERICAN
REVOLUTION!
The shot that was
heard around the
world at
Lexington and
Concord.
Second Continental Congress
(1775)
Second Continental Congress
(1775)
 During
the second
meeting, delegates
argued over the best
solution.
 Many
did NOT want
independence, fearing
they could not win a
war with Britain.
Thomas Paine &
“Common Sense” (1776)
Thomas Paine &
“Common Sense”
 Paine
argued in 1776
that is was only
“common sense” for
America to break with
Great Britain.
 King
George was a
“royal brute” and
America had every
right to sever ties.
Second Continental Congress
(1776)
 After
many months of
debate, more than half
of the delegates
agreed to declare
independence from
Great Britain.
 The
writings of Paine
were very influential.
“Declaration of Independence”
“Declaration of Independence”
 Thomas
Jefferson detailed
the colonies’ reasons for
breaking away with Great
Britain.
 His list of complaints are
referred to as grievances.
 Jefferson claimed that the
king did not look after the
interests of the colonies
anymore.
“Declaration of Independence”
 First
Section
 Explains why the
Continental
Congress drew up
this declaration.
“Declaration of Independence”

Part II:

Declaration of Natural
Rights

This lists the rights of
the citizens, explaining
that in a “republic”, the
people form the
government to protect
their rights.
*** This proved that
if when the
government violates
their natural rights,
then the people have
the right to alter or
abolish it!
“Declaration of Independence”
 Part
 List
III:
of Grievances
(Complaints)
 This lists the colonists’
complaints against the
British government
(singling out King George
for the blame).
Uncertain Future??
Uncertain Future??
 Benjamin
Franklin’s
drawing from the
1750’s.
 Franklin
stressed that
the colonies must be
united if they are to
prevail against Great
Britain.