Uniting for Independence

1
Uniting for Independence

• Causes of the
• American Revolution

2
Colonies on Their Own

• For almost 150 years, the American colonies
  ruled themselves without interference from
  England.

3
Kings and Queens of Great Britain

• James I 1603 1625 (Jamestown 1607,
  Plymouth 1620)
• Charles I 1625 - 1649 (beheaded)
• (Interregnum) Cromwell sons 1648 - 1660
• Charles II 1660 - 1685 (restored)
• James II 1685 - 1688 (exiled)
• Glorious Revolution of 1688
• William III and Mary II 1688 - 1702
• Anne 1702 1714 (war)
• George I 1714 1727 (barely spoke
  English)
• George II 1727 1760 (enjoyed being
  king)

4
Kings and Queens of Great Britain

• James I 1603 1625 (Jamestown 1607,
  Plymouth 1620)
• Charles I 1625 - 1649 (beheaded)
• (Interregnum) Cromwell sons 1648 - 1660
• Charles II 1660 - 1685 (restored)
• James II 1685 - 1688 (exiled)
• Glorious Revolution of 1688
• William III and Mary II 1688 - 1702
• Anne 1702 - 1714
• George I 1714 - 1727
• George II 1727 - 1760

The Point They all left the colonies alone.
5
Colonies on Their Own

• Then everything
• changed in
• mid-1700s.

6
Two Events thatChanged Everything

• French and Indian War 1756-1763
• England was left with huge debt.
• George III became king in 1760.

1
2
7
The Stamp Act - 1765

• 1st time England had directly imposed a tax on
  the colonists.
• Tax on legal documents, pamphlets, newspapers,
  dice, playing cards, etc.
• Protests caused repeal but other taxes replaced
  it.

8
Boston Tea Party

• Protest against tax on tea.
• In December, 1773, colonists destroyed the tea
  rather than let it get to market.

9
Boston Tea Party
10
Boston Tea Party
Called this in England

• Resulted in Parliament passing the Coercive Acts
  (the Intolerable Acts).
• Closed Boston harbor.
• Withdrew right of Massachusetts to govern itself.

Called this in America
11
Impact of Intolerable Acts

• Colonists began to unite.
• Colonists argued that only colonial legislatures
  could impose direct taxes.
• Committees of Correspondence formed into a
  communications network beginning in 1773.

12
1st Continental Congress

• Began in September 1774.
• Debated what to do about the relationship with
  Great Britain.
• Imposed an embargo on British goods.
• British Response
• Stronger measures.
• George III considered colonists in rebellion.

13
The Shots Heard Round the World

• Lexington and Concord, Mass.
• April 19, 1775
• 1st battles of the Revolutionary War

14
2nd Continental Congress

• May 1775
• They assumed the powers of a
  central government with John
  Hancock as president of Congress.
• Organized an army and navy.
• Made George Washington commander.
• Issued money.

15
2nd Continental Congress

• After a year of fighting, Richard Henry Lee of
  Virginia introduced a resolution for
  independence.

Richard Henry Lee was the great-uncle of Robert
E. Lee.
16
2nd Continental Congress

• Appointed a committee to write a draft.
• Committee asked Thomas Jefferson to write the
  document.
• July 2, 1776, the Congress approved Lees
  resolution for independence.
• July 4, 1776, Congress approved final draft of
  declaration.

17
Declaration of Independence

• Turn to page 771 in textbook.

18
Declaration of Independence
4 Parts

• Preamble
• Declaration of Natural Rights
• List of Grievances
• Resolution of Independence