Ch. 4 Section 2. In the spring of 1772, the British government introduced several new policies that...
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Transcript of Ch. 4 Section 2. In the spring of 1772, the British government introduced several new policies that...
The Revolution BeginsCh. 4 Section 2
The Gaspee Affair
In the spring of 1772, the British government introduced several new policies that angered American colonists. Britain sent customs ships to patrol North
American waters in order to intercept smugglers.
In 1772 the British customs ship, the Gaspee, ran aground and was seized by colonists and burned.
The British took suspects to England for trial.
The Gaspee Affiar
Colonists felt this was a violation of their right to a trial by a jury of their peers. Thomas Jefferson suggests Committees of
Correspondence▪ Colonies should communicate to each other about
British activities▪ Unifies colonies
Gaspee Affair
Tea and the Colonies
British East India Company – Almost bankrupt. Lord North, England's Prime Minister, helps them by passing the Tea Act of 1773. Made the price of Tea from the Company lower
than the cost of smuggled Dutch tea.▪ Angered American merchants
Boston Tea Party
In December 1773, tea ships from the East India Company arrived in Boston Harbor. Colonists boarded the ship and dumped the tea into the
harbor. ▪ Boston Tea Party.
The Boston Tea Party led to the British passing four new laws called the Coercive Acts.
Propaganda “Tea Act”
Boston Tea Party
Boston Tea Party
Coercive Acts
The Coercive Acts No right to trial by jury of your peers No law against quartering troops in your
home The Quebec Act
Stated that a governor and council appointed by the King would control Quebec.▪ No elections=>colonists angery.
The Intolerable Acts
The Quebec Act and the Coercive Acts became known as the Intolerable Acts. The First Continental Congress met in
Philadelphia in 1774. ▪ Wrote a Declaration of Rights and
Grievances▪ Expressed loyalty to King, but condemned the
Intolerable Acts.▪ Also expressed that the colonies were forming a non
importation association. (Boycott British goods)
The Revolution Begins
Summer of 1774 – British lost control of the colonies Colonists raided military outposts for
ammo. Concord creates a special militia, called
Minutemen. ▪ Trained and ready for attack at a minutes
warning.
Minuteman Statue
Loyalist vs. Patriot
The war for independence will not only be between British and English, but also Loyalist and Patriot groups. Loyalist – Loyal to King ▪ Rich and powerful
Patriot – AKA Whigs, British are tyrants▪ Poor and without power
Loyalists=Loyal to King George III
Patriot
The Revolution Begins
On April 18, 1775, British General Gage and his troops set out to seize the militia’s supply depot at Concord. To get there, they had to pass through Lexington. Patriots Paul Revere and William Dawes were sent to
Lexington to warn the people that the British were coming.
When the British arrived in Lexington, about 70 minutemen were waiting for them. ▪ The British fired at the minutemen, killing 8 and wounding 10.
The British moved on to Concord where they found 400 minutemen waiting for them. ▪ British Retreat
William Dawes
The Revolution Begins
After the battles at Lexington and Concord, Second Continental Congress created. Create Continental Army, appoint
George Washington as head.
Continental Army
George Washington
Battle of Bunker Hill
The Battle at Bunker Hill resulted in turning back two British advances. The colonial militia only retreated due
to a lack of ammunition. It was a huge boost to American confidence that the
untrained colonials could stand up to the feared British army.
Bunker Hill
Independence
After Bunker Hill, patriots call for American Independence. In July 1775, the Continental Congress sent a document
known as the Olive Branch Petition to the king. It stated that the colonies were still loyal to King George
III and asked the king to call off the army while a compromise could be made.
▪ King George refused to look at the Petition.
Olive Branch Petition
Independence
Two Loyalist armies were organized to assist the British troops in Virginia. White Loyalists – feared they would lose their land to
patriots. Enslaved Africans – Promised freedom if they fought for
loyalists In December 1775, the king shut down trade with
the colonies and ordered the British navy to blockade the coast. British begin recruiting mercenaries from Germany.
Common Sense and Independence
In January 1776, the persuasive pamphlet called Common Sense, by Thomas Paine, caused many colonists to call for independence from Britain. On July 4, 1776, a committee of Patriot leaders approved
a document written by Thomas Jefferson that became known as the Declaration of Independence.
The American Revolution had begun.
Common Sense by Thomas Paine
Declaration of Independence
Declaration of Independence