American Revolution
Quick CP Version
Warm Up

What were the 4 things that Great Britain did
after the French and Indian War that began
to upset colonists?

What does “no taxation without
representation mean”?

What were 3 taxes or acts that the Brits. put
on the colonists?

Who wrote the pamphlet “Common Sense”
and what did it urge?
Colonists Divided

Not all colonists want to break away from
England.

Some want to reconcile (make up).

The people that want to separate start to be
called Patriots.

The people that want to remain with England
are called loyalists.
Thomas Paine and “Common
Sense”


Pamphlet urging
separation (& not
reconciliation) from
England.
Sold over 120,000 copies
in 1st 3-months
Patrick Henry


Says to stay with
England is to be
enslaved.
“Give me Liberty, or
give me death!”
The Enlightenment




Revolutionary leaders influenced by the ideas of
the enlightenment.
Enlightenment was an intellectual movement
that stressed natural rights.
Leaders began to question British rule because
they felt that it was infringing (messing with)
their natural rights.
Declaration of Independence

Thomas Jefferson
writes the
“Declaration of
Independence” in
1776.

July 4

Philadelphia

Many of his ideas come from John Locke.

3-part argument:



A. Everybody had Natural rights—”Life,
Liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
B. Purpose of Govt. is to protect Nat. Rights.
C. Right of people to form new governments
if Govt. is not doing its job.
Abigail Adams



“Remember The
Ladies”
Letter to her husband
John Adams.
Turn to pg. 71 in your
book.
British Advantages




Professional Army
Best Navy in the
world
1/3 of the colonists
are “loyalists” (Tories)
Slaves and Native
Americans will help
Advantages of Americans



Fighting for
something they
believe in.
Fighting on their
home turf.
Leadership of George
Washington
Burgoyne’s Surrender at Saratoga
French Help



After Saratoga—
French form an
alliance with America.
Sends navy and
troops.
Ben Franklin
Yorktown



1781--Washington and
French defeat Cornwallis.
Decisive defeat in the
war; End of major
fighting.
Treaty of Paris (1783)
officially ends war.
Why the Americans won

They fought a
defensive war—avoid
big defeat.

Help from the French

Brits. Get tired.

1776--1783