American Revolution
By: chelsea Hoyle
Causes
The Stamp Act
The Stamp Act was introduced to pay for the
cost of the French and Indian war. It was the
first direct tax on the American colonies.
The colonists were infuriated because they
felt they should be taxed only by their own
government. The Sons of Liberty formed to
oppose the Stamp Act and used violence and
intimidation to fight against it. October 1765
representatives from the colonies met in
New York and sent a petition to King George
and Parliament asking for the Stamp Act to
be repealed. The petition stated taxation
without representation violated their basic
rights. The colonist refused to use the
stamps when the Stamp Act went into effect
November 7 1765.
American newspapers reacted to the Stamp
Act with anger and predictions of the demise
of journalism
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:O!_the_fa
tal_Stamp.jpg
Townshend Act
In June 1767 English cut the British land taxes. They promised that they would tax
the contests. They created a tax on goods the colonists imported. These taxes
were used to pay the salaries of British colonial officials. These were very
unpopular with the colonists. In October the colonists of Boston restarted the
boycott of English items. In February 1768 a letter was written to oppose taxation
without representation. This letter then got sent to all the American clones. The
American colonists agreed to what the letter had to say. In July the Massachusetts
govaner shut down the court because the legislature refused to agree to the
letter. Boston and new York boycotted the British gods until the Townsend acts
were repealed. In September the residence were warned and told to be ready in
case the British attacked. British war ships arrived in Boston. In may gorge mason
wrote some resolutions that got sent to the Virginia house of burgesses. These
resolutions opposed taxation without representation and the British reaction to
the letter. Virginia joined the boycott and finally though Townsend acts were
repealed in march of 1770
The Boston Massacre
On march 5th 1770 conflicts between the
colonists and solders grew. The people of
Boston decided t start throwing snowballs
and rocks at the solders. British solders
started firing rapidly and soon 5 colonists
were killed. After this incident the British
troops left Boston. They moved to a
nearby island. Six of the troops were
arrested and charged of murder and 2 of
the solders were found guilty of
manslaughter. After this the hate between
the Americans and British increased
The Bloody Massacre” engraving by Paul
Revere. Note that this is not an accurate
depiction of the event.
http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/rel
ated/images/massacre.jpg
Boston Tea Party
n 1773 the east India tea company that they couldn’t
sell in England so to help the company parliament
passes the tea act. It allowed them to sell tea to the
colonies without paying taxes. The British did not
think the colonists would be upset but they were
because the east India company could sell tea easier.
The colonists again became angry about taxation
without representation. They restarted the boycott
of tea and more colonies join in. Colonies decided to
stop the east India tea company from docking their
ships. The colonies met to discuss what to do about
the east India company ships docked in the harbor.
They decided to send them back to England without
paying taxes But the governor of Massachusetts didn’t
agree and wouldn’t unless they played the taxes.
They hen decided to send men dressed as Indians on
to the ship to dump the tea. When the tea washed up
on shore the colonists crushed the tea leaves. Boston
then refused to pay for the tea and this angered king
George III. The king punished the colonies by creating
the intolerable acts.
http://www.learnnc.org/lp/media/uploads/2008/12/
vc40.jpg
The Intolerable Acts
The intolerable acts were passed in 1774 to punish colonists. The first one
is that they closed the Boston harbor until the people payed for the tea.
The second one is that the British soldiers could not be tried for any
crime, this means they could pretty much do anything they wanted to.
The next one is that they restricted Massachusetts to having only one town
meeting per year. The fourth act was that the Canadian border was
extended. Another one of the acts were that it required colonists to
provide housing for the British troops. One last act they passed was that
British could do pretty much what ever they wanted without
consequences. These acts made the colonists really mad but the Boston
port act helped bond the colonies. They also helped them bond because
they joined together in boycotting of British goods. This prepared colonists
for the war with the British.
The First Continental Congress
All the colonies except one sent representatives for
the first continental congress. They met in secret
because they did not want the British to know.
Joseph Galloway suggested they could figure out a
way the colonies could have their freedom under
British rule. Not many people agreed but they made a
list of basic rights and a list of complaints to send to
the king. This was like a school for American leaders.
Benjamin franklin was in England and presenting the
colonists demands to the British. The continental
association was created and this was an agreement to
stop all trade with Britain until they met their
demands. The governor of Massachusetts started
taking some war like steps and other colonies
followed. They were ready to fight England. When
the king heard the demands he replied with ” the die
is now cast. The colonies must either submit or
triumph.” Patrick Henry went to the Virginia
convention and made a speech. From this speech the
famous quote came. ” I know not what course others
may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me
death.”
First Continental Congress meeting
http://www.kidport.com/reflib/usahistory/americanr
evolution/Images/ContCongress2.gif
components
The battle of Lexington and concord
After the first continental congress kin George III told the British tropes to
use force when necessary to make sure British continued to rule the
colonies. The colonists had gathered lots of weapons in concord. British
troops were sent to concord to capture the weapons. They decided to first
go through Lexington to get to concord. Early the next morning the British
solders went to Lexington. When they got there they met with some
armed men from the colonies. The British then shot 2 times and 18 of the
colonies men were killed. After this the British went to concord hoping to
find weapons. On their way back to Boston they got shot at by the colonies
men. The British were caught between the sea and the colonies militia. 73
British were killed and 93 of the colonies men were killed. The British then
decided that they would not use any more force against the colonists
because of the amount of British troops that were killed. The battle of
Lexington and concord was the beginning of the revolutionary war.
Battle of bunker hill
This was the first major battle of the American revolutionary
war. The British continued to send many British troops to Boston
and this upset the people of the colonies. The British needed to
fortify their position. Their plan was to take over Dorchester
heights so they could watch over Boston harbor to protect them
self from attack from sea. Soon the Americans found out about
the British plans and decided to beat them there. The British
then set off to bunker hill which was north of Boston. They
ended up on breeds hill which was closer to the water. The
British were surprised when they saw that the colonies men had
already taken over breeds hill. The British began to attack from
sea then later they attacked from land. The colony men were
told not to shoot until they could see the weights of the British
troops eyes. The first 2 times the British they were not
successful but it was on the 3rd time that they were more
successful. They were successful because the colony men ran
out of gun powder. This frocked them to give up and the British
took over breeds and bunker hill. In this battle 226 British
solders were killed and 145 colony men died with 30 of them
captured. The Americans lost some men but realized that the
British lost more. The colonists then discovered that they may
have a chance in winning the war. They got excited then
became confident that they could beat the British in the war
This is a mao that shows how the British and Americans lined up
for battle of bunker hill
http://www.historycentral.com/Revolt/MapBH.jpg
Common sense
TThe colonies wanted to continue to negotiate with
the British about the problem with taxation without
representation. Thomas Paine wrote the common
sense and it got published soon after. He wanted this
to make the people think about what was really
happening. He explained that the people must fight
to get what is right. He wanted to show that fighting
against the king and the British was the only way they
would get what they needed, independence. hecdid
not think the government should be controlling
people who had no say in what was being done. The
British who lived in England the many rights and had
say in the taxes. The colonists had no rights and no
say. This was the main topic of the common sense
and this educated the world in many ways. A few
months after it was published over 500,000 copies
were sold. His arguments went right to the peoples
hearts and gave the people more desire to fight for
freedom.
his is a copy of Thomas paine’s common sense
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/th
umb/4/4a/Commonsense.jpg/382pxCommonsense.jpg
Declaration of independence
The people from the first continental congress agreed
that they would meet again. Between the first and
second continental congress meant things happened
that increased the tensions between the colonies and
the British. In the second continental congress a lot
of debate about weather they should fight for
independence or negotiate with the British. Common
sense convinced many that there was no other option
but to declare their independence. The colonists
pushed the British out of Boston. Finally Richard
Henry lee made a formal proposal to the king that
America would become independent from England.
The same day a 5 men commit was created to write a
declaration of independence. The commit agreed
that Thomas Jefferson was the best writer and they
let him write it. Personal liberty was the basic theme
but it also listed all their reasons for wanting to
become independent. It was presented then debated
on for expectance of it. On the first vote only 9
colonies agreed to it but later 12 of the 13 colonies
agreed to it. The one that did not agree to it was
new York but they agreed to move towards
independence. On July 4th the declaration of
independence was appointed in its final form. This is
why Americans now celebrate thec4th of July.
Battle of Trenton
General George Washington figured out a plan. His plan was to cross
the Delaware river and go to Trenton. The weather was bad. There
was sleet, hail and ice and the Delaware river was frozen. The
British would not expect the colonists to attack in this weather s
they did. They felt protected by the frozen river. Three groups of
solders crossed the Delaware river at different times. When they all
got there Washington led the army to attack the British. The
colonies army poured Moe then 900 prisoner and took over Trenton.
Later that nightie went towards Princeton and took the British by
surprise. These 2 victories gave them hope to go on. They also got
some ford and other equipment that would help them in the winter.
Second battle of Saratoga
Colonists had the British wear them self down in smaller
battles. They were ready for the British to attack. Their
defence was very strong even against the strong British
army. te British had no choice but t retreat to Saratoga.
The British lost 600 men but the coolness only lost 150
men. This meant te brtish army had less then 5000 men
and th colonists had about 20000 men. These battles were
the turning point in the war. British goal to control the
north died and they were frocked to give up hope on that.
The French decided to join the coldness and work against
the British. The colonists knew they had gained control of
the northern colonies and this gave them more
confidence. There was still many battles to happen before
the colonies gained their independence but this victory
was a major turning point.
British surrendering to Americans
http://americanrevolution7.wikispaces.com/file/view/Am
ericanRevolutionSaratoga.jpg/109011627/AmericanRevolu
tionSaratoga.jpg
This map shows where the second battle of Saratoga took
place
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9b/A
rray_of_Units_on_the_Freeman%27s_Farm_Battlefield_.pn
g
War in the south
There were many small battles in the war in the south. the first
one was savannah. 35000 British troops came to savannah
Georgia and captured it. The next thing that happened was
Augusta. In this 2000 British troopers took control of Augusta.
These 2 victories for the British gave them compile control of
British colony. Another thing that happened was called Camden.
It was when 1780 colony troops battled the british in Camden.
They got tired on te way to Camden and gave up when they saw
they were out numbered. This meant British had took another
major city. The next battle that happened is called battle of
kings mounting. In this battle the colonists finally won again.
They surrounded the British troops and then the British troops
surrendered. The next battle that took place is called battle of
coupons. It is when the colonies men won another battle when
they defeated the British troops there. Next was the Guilford
courthouse. even though the British won this battle they were
forced to go to Wilmington then to Virginia. After this
was hobkirks hill. In this the British troops once again beat the
colony men at the resentment at hobkirks hill. The last thing
that happened was Eutaw springs. At this the British beat the
colonies men again but they were warn out and tired so they
would retreat. The Yorktown attack was the very last battle in
the war.
Map of battle of cowpens
http://www.history.army.mil/books/AMH-V1/Map11.jpg
The Patriot - Battle of Camden Movie Clip
http://youtu.be/IFpFHj4XfFg
Battle of Yorktown
There were many small battles in the war in the south. the first
one was savannah. 35000 British troops came to savannah
Georgia and captured it. The next thing that happened was
Augusta. In this 2000 British troopers took control of Augusta.
These 2 victories for the British gave them compile control of
British colony. Another thing that happened was called Camden.
It was when 1780 colony troops battled the british in Camden.
They got tired on te way to Camden and gave up when they saw
they were out numbered. This meant British had took another
major city. The next battle that happened is called battle of
kings mounting. In this battle the colonists finally won again.
They surrounded the British troops and then the British troops
surrendered. The next battle that took place is called battle of
coupons. It is when the colonies men won another battle when
they defeated the British troops there. Next was the Guilford
courthouse. even though the British won this battle they were
forced to go to Wilmington then to Virginia. After this
was hobkirks hill. In this the British troops once again beat the
colony men at the resentment at hobkirks hill. The last thing
that happened was Eutaw springs. At this the British beat the
colonies men again but they were warn out and tired so they
would retreat. The Yorktown attack was the very last battle in
the war.
British surrender at battle of Yorktown
http://affiliates.art.com/get.art?T=15049472&A=333916&L=8&P
=12062927&S=2&Y=0
Consequences
Loyalists
about 25000 loyalist fought on the side of the British. For about 5
percent of the people living in the united states the loss made
people kill them selves. About 62000 loyalests of the British left
after the united states were formed and went to Quebec, PEI and
Nova Scotia the upper part of Canada. The united empire loyalists
was a honorific name after British won the American revolutionary
war. Some American loyalists even moved to British north America
for the king but most went north to escape because of the republic
idea. Some of the loyalists settled in the colonies but had to move
to upper Canada. The arrival of them here was the beginning of the
English speaking population in Canada.
Treaty of Paris
This is sometimes also known as the
peace treaty with Britain. It gave the
Americans land east of Mississippi river
and to the south of the great lakes.
Native Americans lived in this area but
were defeated by the united states.
This did not include Florida because
Brittan made an agreement with Spain
that they could have Florida.
The signing of the treaty of paris
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Preli
minaryTreatyOfParisPainting.jpg
Constitution
US constitution is important to interment of
government. it is the oldest written
constitution made by the continental congress
and first used in 1789. it outlines the powers
of the 3 different government branches and
the 3 levels of government. The basic points
on it are the same today as when it was
written. It states that 3 branches of
government are separate and balanced by
each other. That the US constitution is
supreme. One last thing is that the people
can can change the constitution with methods
outlined. If they decided to change it they
would have a vote and one side would have to
have ¾ of the votes.
Signing of constitution of the united states
http://www.sussexvt.k12.de.us/science/The
%20History%20of%20the%20World%2015001899/The%20Constitution%20of%20the%20Unit
ed%20States%20of%20America_files/image002
.jpg
Bill of rights
The us constitution has had 27 points in
it. The bill of rights, which is the first
10 of those points was first used in
1791. they were made to met the
demands of Massachusetts and the oter
states that used it. The first point on
the bill of rights is the most important
one. It states that there will be
freedom of speech and warship in all
people that lived in these places.
Copy of the bill of rights
http://score.rims.k12.ca.us/score_less
ons/symbols_freedom/images/billrights
.gif
Worldwide influence
After the American revolution democratic politics became aloud.
The peoples rights became included in the state constitutions and
with this came individual rights, equality and hostility to
corporation. This is part of what makes the US a republic. The
American revolution was the first successful revolution against the
Europeans. It was also the first establishment of a republic with
elected government since anent Rome. The revolution had a big
impact on great Britten and some other British countries. Many of
them spoke in favor of the Americans. The American declaration of
independence had some impact on the French declaration of rights.
The End