Chapter 2 Section 2 Mr. Gordon. American Independence After the French and Indian War, the...
-
Upload
mark-singleton -
Category
Documents
-
view
220 -
download
0
Transcript of Chapter 2 Section 2 Mr. Gordon. American Independence After the French and Indian War, the...
American Independence
After the French and Indian War, the colonists rebelled against British attempts to assert control over the colonies and against new British taxes.
In 1775 the Second Continental Congress called for the writing of a formal Declaration of Independence.
Main Idea: The British imposed new policies on their American colonies, sparking rebellion and, in time, the American Revolution.
American Independence
The road that led the American colonies to unite with one another and break with Great Britain was long and fraught with conflict.
American Independence
Early Attempts at Unity1643: New England Confederation formed to defend against threats from Native Americans and Dutch colonies
1854-1763: French and Indian War spurred new drive toward unity
1754: Great Britain urged signing of treaty with Iroquois Confederation
Ben Franklin proposed Albany Plan of Union to control trade, raise armies, build settlements, equip fleets
American Independence
Growing Tensions
Mid-1700s: colonists used to handling affairs without interference from British
1760: King George III began to tighten control over colonies
Most colonists viewed selves as loyal subjects of British Crown
Parliament began to think colonies had become too independent
Following French and Indian War, Parliament placed new financial burdens on colonists
American Independence
Changes in British PoliciesBritish victorious in French and Indian War, but
incurred massive debtsParliament looked to colonies to offset cost of
war, defense of coloniesEnforced trade restrictions benefiting Britain,
including series of taxesColonists resented being taxed without their
consent.
American Independence
The Stamp Act Congress1765: Stamp Act: Parliament’s first attempt to tax colonists directly
Required tax stamp on paper goods such as legal documents and newspapers
Angry colonists responded with protests; in 1765, delegates from 9 colonies sent strong protest to king declaring power to tax should remain with colonial assemblies.
American Independence
Colonial Protests• 1766: Stamp Act repealed; colonies
protested, organized resistance; Boston Massacre
• 1773: Boston Tea Party protested American tea trade given to one British company.
• 1774: New harsh laws, Intolerable Acts, ended all forms of self-rule in Massachusetts.
American Independence
SummarizingWhat forms of protest did the colonists use
to oppose British policies?
Boycotts, Rallies, Pamphlets & Letter Writing Campaigns
American Independence
Compromise• Most colonists held out hope for
compromise to roll back taxes.• Virginia and Massachusetts assemblies
called for meeting of colonies in Philadelphia.
American Independence
First Continental Congress• 1774: First Continental Congress passed Declaration and Resolves demanding repeal of Intolerable Acts.• 1775: British rejected demands; British troops clashed with colonial militia at Lexington and Concord—the first armed resistance by colonists.
American Independence
Second Continental Congress• 1775: Second Continental Congress organized Continental Army, named George Washington as commander• Revolutionary War began as colonists sought independence from Britain
American Independence
Common Sense of Democracy • 1776: The Common Sense pamphlet argued case for break with England.• Thomas Paine: independence was the only “common sense” for colonists• Saw history of world hanging on outcome of colonies’ rebellion
American Independence
Making InferencesAccording to Paine, why was independence
“common sense”?
It was “Common Sense” to break away from English Rule
American Independence
• Declaration of Independence• Armed conflict continued for months before independence officially declared• June 7, 1776: resolution proposed to Second Continental Congress to officially declare independence from Great Britain; resolution passed July 2• Committee appointed to write formal statement justifying resolution
American Independence
•Declaration of Independence• Thomas Jefferson wrote most of document, drawing on Virginia Declaration of Rights adopted by Virginia House of Burgesses one month earlier• Virginia declaration declared “all men are by nature equally free and independent and have certain inherent rights” that cannot be denied.
American Independence
• Declaration of Independence• Echoed philosophy of John Locke that people have rights to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness”• Also echoed idea of government as social contract based on consent of the people• July 4, 1776: Declaration of Independence was adopted. Britain’s thirteen colonies ceased to exist as new nation emerged.
American Independence
SummarizingHow did John Locke’s ideas inspire the
Declaration of Independence?
Locke’s beliefs in natural rights and that a government must have the consent of the people
American Independence
By 1780, each of the 13 newly independent states had adopted its own written constitution. Each tested ideas about how to design a republican government that protected individual rights.
American Independence
Self-GovernmentAll new state constitutions established republican governments with strong legislatures with elected representatives.
Voting rights varied from state to state.Some states granted the right to vote to adult male taxpayers, others had property qualifications; only New Jersey allowed women to vote.
American Independence
Separation of PowersThree branches of government: legislative, executive, judicial
States had real power to govern.Powers included conducting foreign affairs, declaring war
Most legislatures had two houses.Some elected governors and judges.
American Independence
Limited Government
• Strong legislative bodies reflected general mistrust of monarchy.
• Colonists did not grant unlimited power to legislatures.
• Annual elections, term limits, separation of powers established as checks
• Kept powers of governors deliberately weak, limited term
American Independence
Individual Rights• Protecting people’s rights seen as way to protect from excesses of government• 1780: Massachusetts constitution included bill of rights to protect individual liberties.• Liberties included trial by jury, freedom of assembly, and speech.