Chapter 2, Section 3Declaring Independence

Part 1p. 49-53

Actions by the British, including the imposition of a series of taxes, lead the colonists from

protest to armed rebellion.

Taxation Leads to ProtestsMain Idea: Taxes imposed by Britain spark angry protests in the American colonies.

• British impose a series of unpopular taxes on colonies– To pay for the “French and

Indian” War (Seven Years War)

• Stamp Act of 1765 - tax on all published (paper) documents

“No taxation without representation!”– Colonies not represented in

Parliament, in London– Colonial boycott hurts English

business - leads to repeal of tax

- BOSTON MASSACRE - British soldiers open fire on a group of colonists, killing five

“The Bloody Massacre” in BostonMarch 5, 1770

Engraving by Paul Revere

The Boston (Bloody) Massacre

Took place outside of the “Old State House” - March 5, 1770

From Protest to Revolution

• Protests by patriots – colonists who “love their country”• Tea Act – tax on tea leads to angry protest• History Interactive: from p. 50 and phschool.com website

http://phschool.com/atschool/california/webcodes/history_interactive/myp-1023/common_player.html

• Leads to the “Intolerable Acts”…….. Play “No More Kings”

The Boston “Tea Party”

– Dec. 1773

Code to Sons of Liberty:“There's nothing more we can do here tonight."

The Intolerable Acts (Coercive Acts)

1. Boston Port closed to shipping2. Quartering Act – colonists

forced to house British troops in their homes

3. Town meetings can only be held with permission of governor*

Colonial Protests:• First Continental Congress – meets in

Philadelphia (Sept. 1774)

– Colonial reps agree to another boycott– Pledge to meet again in May 1775

• Most still think troubles will blow over………but……

Patriots “tar and feather” a “Tory”.

political cartoon by Paul Revere

Harsh New Laws:

*limits right to self-rule

British Actions & Colonist Reactions British Action:

Proclamation of 1763 • Closed the region west of the

Appalachian Mountains to settlement by the colonists

Sugar Act of 1764 • Marks the start of new British

policies to raise money.

Stamp Act of 1765 • The first direct taxation of colonists,

the Stamp Act taxes legal & commercial documents and printed matter, such as newspapers

Colonist Reaction:What did they do about it?• Colonists continue to move west

into the forbidden territory - undermining British authority

• Written protests, occasional boycotts & cries of “No Taxation without Representation”

• Violent protests, The Stamp Act Congress meets and a boycott of British goods begins. Boycott is enforced by the Sons of Liberty

British Actions & Colonist Reactions British Action:

The Declaratory Act of 1766• After England repeals the Stamp

Act it tries to reassert its authority over the colonies. This act is a statement of England’s right to rule the colonies in any way it see fit.

The Townshend Acts of 1767• Taxes placed on lead, paper, tea,

paint, & glass are collected at port. Revenues from the Townsend are used to support British troops, royal governors and judges

Colonist Reaction:

What did they do about it?• Colonists are pleased with the repeal

of the Stamp Act, but continue to protest other British laws

• “Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania” a widely spread series of letters protesting the acts, are published in nine newspapers in the colonies. Colonists resume boycotting British goods, cutting trade in half Leads to Boston Massacre in 1770

British Actions & Colonist Reactions British Action:

The Tea Act – 1773• Created to save the ailing East India

Company. It allows the company to sell its surplus tea in the American colonies. The act retains the import tax on tea.

The Intolerable (Coercive) Acts – 1774• Punitive Acts aimed at

Massachusetts: Close Boston Harbor, institute the Quartering Act, & eliminate self-government in Boston

Colonist Reaction:

What did they do about it?• A group of Boston Patriots destroys

a shipment of tea in a protest known as the Boston Tea Party

• Delegates from 12 colonies meet at the 1st Continental Congress, agree to boycott British goods, and send a petition to the King outlining what they consider the rights of the colonists.

But before the boycott gets a chance to work….

The Revolution BeginsMain Idea: The first battles of the American Revolution break out in the Massachusetts towns of Lexington and Concord.

• 700 British soldiers “Red Coats” march (by sea) to Lexington & Concord to seize weapons

• British kill eight minutemen (militia that could assemble quickly) then move on to Concord, still looking for Sam Adams & John Hancock

• Word spreads, more militia show up, British flee back to Boston

• 273 British causualties while running back to Boston

The War is on! Play “the Shot Heard

‘Round the World”

Battles of Lexington & Concord – April 19, 1775

America’s First Army• Second Continental Congress

Meets in May 1775. Then, on June 14….

• Names George Washington Commander of Continental Army– Before Washington arrives in Boston…

• Battle of Bunker Hill (June 1775)

• Colonists lose, but kill 1000 British – only 500 colonial casualties

First known portrait of

George Washingtonin Virginia Regiment uniform - 1772

Battle of Bunker Hill – June 17,1775“Don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes.”

Debate Over IndependenceMain Idea: While few colonists at first call for independence, public opinion shifts, helped in part by the writings of Thomas Paine.

• Thomas Paine publishes a 50 page pamphlet titled “Common Sense”.– Uses forceful, everyday language

making a case for independence“Everything that is right and

natural pleads for separation…’TIS TIME TO PART.” – T. Paine, 1776

• “Common Sense” is a bestseller throughout the colonies – Helps sway the undecided 1/3

toward Independence – See Primary Sources on p. 617

Thomas Paine – Common Sense(Published anonymously in January 1776)

The Declaration of IndependenceMain Idea: In bold, clear words, draws on the ideas of the Enlightenment and the writings of John Locke, states that the colonists have a right to throw off British rule.

Written by Thomas Jefferson, in 4 parts:1. Preamble (introduction) explains its goal.2. Declaration of Natural Rights – “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”3. List of grievances (formal complaints) against King George III.4. Resolution of Independence – (conclusion)

– King George accused of violating natural rights of the people, therefore have right to overthrow British rule.

Declaration of Independence-Adopted July 4, 1776

HOW TO READ HISTORYPRIMARY SOURCES – JOHN ADAMS

Chapter 2 begins with an excerpt from a primary source, The Works of John Adams, on page 36. Read the passage then discuss the following questions with your group (the people at your table).

1. What words were unfamiliar to you? Can you determine their meanings?

2. What is the overall message of the passage? What does Adams think of Thomas Jefferson? Of himself?

3. Why do you think Adams says “a Virginian ought to appear at the head of this business.”?

C2S3 Focus QuestionQ: How did Common Sense and the Declaration of Independence draw on British traditions and Enlightenment thinkers?A: Thomas Paine used logic and reason to call for separation from Britain. Much of the Declaration of Independence was based on the idea of natural rights developed by John Locke during the Enlightenment. The Declaration also pointed out grievances that were based on violations of the Magna Carta by the British government.