Revolutionary War

Ch 1.2

Thursday February 2, 2012

• Daily goal: Understand how the Battle of Saratoga was a turning point, the significance of the Battle of Yorktown and what type of warfare the Colonial Army used against the British.

• Think about it…• To what extent do you agree or disagree with the

statement below…• “If you don’t know history it is as if you were

born yesterday.” –Howard Zinn

Friday February 3, 2012

• Daily goal: Understand John Locke’s contribution to the Revolution, how taxes strained the relationship between Americans and the British.

• Think about it…• How would you feel if your taxes were raised

significantly and there was no one in the gov’t representing you to stop it?

The French and Indian War(1754-63)a.k.a. The 7 Years War

• By 1754 British American Colonists began to push past the Appalachian Mountains – Problem: France and many different Native American

tribes claimed and already occupied this territory

– over 3 million Colonist + British Troops vs. many Native tribes + 15,000 French Troops

– Goal: build forts to protect and expand British territory west of Appalachian mtns.

• Britain goes to war against France + Spain (1756-63) to fight for control over territories around the world – including India, Philippines, Montreal, Ohio Valley,

West Indies, etc.

• The portion of the 7 Years War fought in North America is know as the French and Indian War

Why call it French and Indian War?

• Natives played a key role in the war– they chose sides that

benefited them– goal was to prevent

European settlements on native lands

• Vicious fighting on

both sides: – scalping was common

on both sides– $ for scalps – British sent blankets w/

smallpox on it to the Natives

John Locke• People have natural rights to life,

liberty, and property

• Social contract:– people collectively choose to obey

a government, only when that government protects the natural rights of the citizens

• If the government breaks that contract by violating the peoples rights– people have the right to overthrow

that government

John Locke

• Argued that people were born with Natural Rights (life, liberty and property) from their Creator, that could no be taken away.

• Governments were formed to protect these rights and if they did not, the people had a right to rebel against their government.

• These ideas greatly influenced the Declaration of Independence.

How will Britain pay its war debts?

• Parliament passed new tax laws:– Stamp Act (1765) taxed most printed

documents including: wills, newspapers, deeds, college diplomas and other printed materials.• 1st tax on goods within colonies

• Colonist felt there union was w/ king not Parliament- therefore unlawful tax

• Trial by admiralty court is violation of the English Bill of Rights – made Amer. colonist 2nd class citizens

• read: Stamp Act primary doc

• How will the colonist respond? Why?

TAX STAMP USED ON ALL PRINTED MATERIALS

How will the colonist respond?

• Protesting and boycotting of British Goods

• Impact: • British merchants sold less, thus

earned less $ employers laid off workers British public angry at Parliament

• Result: Stamp Act repealed in 1766

•

What else can Parliament do to raise $ to pay its debt?

- Townsend Act (1767) Taxed all imported and exported goods (double tax) - created a board to go after smugglers

Tea Act (1773)

• Tax on tea to raise $

• Create a monopoly for the East India Tea Company

• How would the colonist respond?

Boston Tea Party (1773)

• A group of Bostonians raided a ship full of tea, and dumped the tea into the water.

Taxes

• Stamp Act- first direct tax on the colonies on most legal documents and printed materials.

• Townsend Acts- taxes placed on glass, lead, paper, paint and tea.

• Tea Act- taxed Tea in the colonies.• “No taxation without representation!” became

the colonial catch phrase, because they did not have a rep in Parliament.

Declaration of Independence• Written by Thomas Jefferson

• Influenced by Locke’s ideas about government and natural rights

• Unalienable rights – life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness

• People had the right to abolish the government if their rights are violated

• Compare: Jefferson’s version vs. Final draft Dec. of Ind.

15

THE CONGRESS MET AGAIN IN JUNE 1776 AND COMMISSIONED THOMAS

JEFFERSON TO DRAFT A DECLARATION OF

INDEPENDENCE. THE DOCUMENT HAD THREE

PARTS: THE PURPOSE OF A GOVERNMENT, 27

REASONS FOR SEPARATION, AND THE

OFFICIAL DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE.

16

56 MEN SIGNED THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE OVER SEVERAL MONTHS, WITH THE ADOPTION ON JULY 2, 1776

Declaration of Independence

• Thomas Jefferson drafted the document which proclaimed the colonies an independent country and broke all ties with Britain.

1st Continental Congress (1774)

• Members from 12 colonies – Georgia did not attend

• Meet to discuss reaction to Intolerable Acts.

• Another Boycott of British goods

• Drafted a Declaration of Rights and Grievances – sent to King George

• Why the king?

How did the King Respond?

• Ignored petition• Sent more troops • Royal Governor of MA ordered:

– the arrest of Samuel Adams + John Hancock – Confiscation of militia arms and ammunition in Lexington

and Concord JOHN HANCOCK

SAMUEL ADAMS

Paul Revere: “The redcoats are coming”

Lexington and Concord April 1775• Gunshots were exchanged between British soldiers and Boston Militiamen

in Lexington and Concord• Read Lexington primary document

How will the British respond?

Bunker Hill (June 1775) - unofficial beginning of the

American Revolution

How do the colonist respond?

• 2nd Continental Congress (1775)• Appoints George Washington as General of revolutionary army• Drafts Declaration of Independence (1776)

Continental Army

• The Colonists had depended on militia units like the minutemen- who were trained to fight at a minute’s notice.

• The 2nd Continental Congress voted to create the Continental Army led by General George Washington.

The Big Battles

• Battle of Saratoga- stunning American victory that convinced the French to join the American cause.

• Battle of Yorktown- The last major battle of the War that convinced the British to begin peace negotiations.

Peace

• The British and Americans signed the Treaty of Paris officially ending the war and giving America independence.