The American Revolution

The USA – Today (50 States)

The USA on 4th July 1776 (in red)

Key Word – Colony (a country or region controlled by another country)

Most of the original thirteen colonies of America (can you name them?) were established by British explorers

Many people emigrated to the colonies in the 1700s to avoid religious persecution and gain new wealth

Tobacco and cotton were two key “cash crops” grown in the colonies for export to Britain and Europe

British America

African slaves growing cotton in Virginia

The reality of slaveryAfrican Slaves were denied an education and subjected to harsh beatings .

If they attempted to escape they could be killed.

King of England appointed Governors to each colony Governors were advised by an elected assembly in each

colony The King (George III) had final say on how the colonies should

be run Colonists elected NO representatives to the English

Parliament in London.

Why? What problems could this cause?

How was America ruled?

The Enlightenment (spread of new ideas) meant people were less willing to accept the idea of the “Divine Right of Kings” to rule countries

Immigration – not all colonists considered themselves British No Representation – Colonists did not elect anyone to the

English Parliament Unfair Taxes – the London Parliament placed taxes and trade

restrictions on the colonies which many colonists felt was unfair (e.g. The Townshend Acts)

Why were the American colonists unhappy?

The Boston Massacre - 1770British “Redcoat” soldiers shown firing into a crowd of unarmed civilians who were protesting against the Townshend Acts.

In reality only two soldiers fired into the crowd and only after being attacked by the crowd.

What is this an example of?

Boston Massacre – Picture on P191

The Boston Tea Party – a protest against a tax on Tea

1773 – Boston Tea Party 1773 – Intolerable Acts passed by British to punish Boston 1774 – Continental Congress – Colonies began to cooperate

to defend themselves from British control 1775 – British General Gage (below) attempts to seize colonial

militia weapons – battles at Lexington and Concord follow.

The drift to War...

The First Continental Congress

Battle of Lexington, 1775

Redcoat ___________________________________________ Militia ____________________________________________ Intolerable Acts _____________________________________ Townshend Acts ____________________________________ Lexington __________________________________________ Continental Congress ________________________________ General Gage ______________________________________ Quartering Act _____________________________________ Navigation Act _____________________________________

Key Terms - definition

George Washington on the one dollar note

George Washington – People in History

The Propaganda War – Thomas Paine

Independence Declared – 4th July 1776

The War Drags on... Valley Forge

Benjamin Franklin & the French Connection

The French Navy sides with the Americans

Victory and Recognition

Treaty of Paris is signed

Democracy established – an example set for other countries (esp France & Ireland)

USA was Governed according to a Constitution and Laws – no more “Divine Right of Kings”

America free to expand Westwards – growing to become the superpower it is today

Some problems (e.g. Slavery) not resolved – would continue to be a problem to the present day.

Influence of the American Revolution