American Federalism
Timeline—Government
Pre-Revolutionary War
 1760s—With Great Britain’s victory over France in the
French and Indian War, King George III issues a series
of Acts intended to tax colonists to pay off debt from the
war
 Sugar Act
 Stamp Act
 Townshend Acts
 Colonists react by trying to petition Parliament to repeal
the Acts
 Then, they begin to protest or boycott goods that are
taxed such as paper goods (Stamp Act)
Boston Tea Party
 1770s—Parliament issues a tax on tea (The Tea Act)
 Colonist resistance culminates in Boston with the Sons
of Liberty boarding an East India Company ship and
destroying all of its shipments of tea
 Many colonists believed that they lacked legal
representation in the British Parliament: “No taxation
without representation”
Intolerable Acts
 Named Coercive Acts issued by British Parliament to
stop colonial protests and restore order after the
Boston Tea Party
 Purpose: to punish colonists, those specifically in Mass.
for destroying the tea and money wasted
 Colonist Reaction: violation of British Constitutional
rights and natural rights
 Effects:
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Boston’s port was closed
Limited governmental activities in Mass.
Allowed accused royal officials to move trial locations
Allowed the governor to quarter British soldiers in
unoccupied buildings
First Continental Congress
(1774)
 Intolerable Acts were intended to isolate radicals like
the Sons of Liberty; It backfired and created
sympathies from other colonies for Mass.
 12 of 13 colonies’ representatives (No Georgia) met in
Philadelphia to discuss issues with British rule
 Results:
 They decided to boycott British products (Continental
Association) to reverse the Intolerable Acts
 Also pledged support and aid for Mass. if attacked
Battles at Lexington &
Concord (1775)
 Officially recognized as the start of the American
Revolutionary War
 All colonies (not Georgia) became involved because of
the Continental Association
Second Continental Congress
 Reconvening of the first members to take on the war
effort
 Voted to create a Continental Army with George
Washington as its commander
Olive Branch Petition
 Delegate, Thomas Jefferson, drafted a petition to
British Parliament to reconcile with King George III
 Re-written by delegate, John Dickinson, stating that
they wanted to avoid war and create new trade and
taxation terms to alleviate tension with the British….not
independence
 A letter from John Adams, another delegate suggested
discontent with the petition and stated war with Britain
was inevitable
 Petition was rejected on grounds that it was insincere
(because of Adams’ letter)
Second Continental Congress
 No legal authority to govern as central government of
the colonies
 Wasn’t able to move forward with independence
without authorization from each colony
The Road to Independence
 Virginia called for an official declaration of
independence, formation of foreign alliances, and
confederation of states
 International pressure to form alliances abroad meant
finding a way to prove the Continental Congress
credible and independent = Declaration of
Independence & Articles of Confederation
Declaration of Independence
(1776)
 A statement issued by Continental Congress to the
world stating and explaining that the United States of
America is independence
 Drafted by Thomas Jefferson and company
 Included the colonial grievances of King George to
justify independence and the right to revolution
The Revolutionary War (17751783)
 War began between the 13 Colonies & Great Britain
 After persuading France to intervene on the side of the
colonies, the sides were then evenly matched
 SPOILER: The Americans win!
 Results in recognition of American Independence by
European powers (Old World)
Articles of Confederation
 An agreement made between the 13 colonies that
created a system of government, a confederation, and
acted as the country’s first constitution
 Drafted by Continental Congress around 1776-1777
 Ratified by all states in 1781