DO NOW:
Write down everything you know,
and everything you think you know
about the American Revolution.
Also, write down any questions
that you have on the topic.
Intro to the American
Revolution
• In this Unit you learn that:
• The British tightened control over the Colonies and
imposed new taxes which angered the colonists.
• Conflicts began between the British government and the
American Colonies
• Discontent and anger turned to violence.
• The Americans, as an underdog, had the will and
determination to defeat a powerhouse like the British.
• Revolution- a forcible overthrow of a government
or social order in favor of a new system
Throughout this Unit, we will consider
the following Essential Questions:
• How did the revolutionary era demonstrate American
ideals, the American character and the country’s will
to succeed?
• Were the Americans justified in fighting Britain and
becoming independent?
Results of the French
and Indian War
DO NOW
-Think about our study of the French and Indian War. Read and
interpret the quote below which was spoken from a Native
American to an English trader. Then answer the question below.
“You and the French are like the two edges of a pair of shears.
And we are the cloth which is to be cut to pieces between them.”
-What is meant by the Native American who spoke these words?
How do you think Natives were
feeling when the French and
English were moving onto their
lands?
The Albany Congress
• Early in the war in 1754, delegates from seven colonies
met in Albany, New York for two reasons:
• 1) Persuade the Iroquois to help them against the French.
• The French had many Native American allies and the British wanted as
much help and support as they could get.
• The Iroquois say “NO” at first, but later join the fight on the side of the
British.
• 2) Unite the colonies against the French and Natives
• Ben Franklin proposed the Albany Plan of Union.
• The Plan would unite all 13 colonies and would have a Grand
Council of representatives from each state which would have
the power to make laws, raise taxes and set up defense for the
colonies.
• The delegates at the conference voted in favor of the Plan of
Union, but when the plan was sent to the assemblies of the 13
colonies for a vote, not one approved it.
• The colonies did not want to give up any of their power.
• This political cartoon was drawn by Ben Franklin and
published in the Pennsylvania Gazette in 1754. What
specifically do you see in the cartoon? What does the
cartoon represent? What message was Franklin trying to
get across?
… The idea of uniting the colonies was shut down
in 1754, but can anyone make a prediction about
whether or not this idea is brought up again later
down the road….?
Economic Results of the French &
Indian War
• Fighting the war was very expensive for the British as the
war raged on for Seven Years.
• Besides fighting each other in North America, the French and British
were also fighting each other in Europe as well.
• The might and power of the British army is what ultimately
won the fight.
• There were very brave colonists who showed their true bravery and
leadership (George Washington)
• The British felt that the colonists should be thankful and
appreciative that British soldiers were protecting the
American frontier
• As a result of the war, the British national debt went from
£75 million in 1754 to £133 million in 1763.
You are the King of England…
• By fighting this war and helping the American colonists,
you have fallen deeper into debt by £58 million. You need
to raise money somehow to make up for the debts that
you owe to other countries. How are you going to raise
this money?.....