Uniting for IndependenceCauses of the

American Revolution

Colonies on Their Own

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

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)

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

Then everything

changed in

mid-1700’s.

Colonies on Their Own

Two Events thatChanged Everything

French and Indian War 1756-1763

England was left with huge debt.

George III became king in 1760.

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.

Boston Tea Party

• Protest against tax on tea.

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

                                             

            

Boston Tea Party

Resulted in Parliament passing the Coercive Acts (the Intolerable Acts).– Closed Boston harbor.– Withdrew right of

Massachusetts to govern itself.

Boston Tea PartyCalled this in

England

Called this in America

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.

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.

The Shots Heard ‘Round the World

• Lexington and Concord, Mass.

• April 19, 1775

• 1st battles of the Revolutionary War

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.

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

2nd Continental Congress

• Appointed a committee to write a draft.

• Committee asked Thomas Jefferson to write the document.

• July 2, 1776, the Congress approved Lee’s resolution for independence.

• July 4, 1776, Congress approved final draft of declaration.

2nd Continental Congress

Declaration of Independence

Turn to page 771 in textbook.

• Preamble

• Declaration of Natural Rights

• List of Grievances

• Resolution of Independence

Declaration of Independence