Origins of Revolution & The American War of Independence

1. Section 1.3 - IBHOA Origins of Revolution & The American War of Independence

2. During the 1700’s… • New ideas regarding society, citizenship & government emerged • What is the purpose of government? • What should be the relationship between ruler and the people?

3. What is the purpose of Government? • Thomas Hobbes: people are inherently evil and only respond to strict rulers, and harsh punishments. • John Locke:people are inherently good. Those ruled have a right to rebel against a government that fails to protect natural rights of life, liberty, and property.

4. European Enlightenment Philosophy 1700’s- Influenced People in British Colonies • John Locke:ALL men are born with natural rights and should be free • Voltaire:Freedom of Speech should be permitted • Montesquieu:Power should be shared (anti- absolute power ex: King)

5. European Enlightenment Philosophy 1700’s- Influenced People in British Colonies • John Locke, Voltaire, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and Montesquieu’s ideas: • 1. representative government • 2.popular sovereignty • 3. separation of powers • As alternatives to monarchy and colonial rule

6. John Locke’s Ideas – Most Influential • English Enlightenment Philosopher • “ the governed have aresponsibility to rebel against a government that fails to protect the natural rights of life, liberty & property”

7. Enlightenment Political Philosophy… • Inspired Revolutionary/Independence movements of 1700’s and 1800’s • American Revolution (independence)1770’s • French Revolution 1789 • Haitian Revolution 1791-1804 • Latin American Independence Movement 1810’s-1820’s • Redefined relationship between government and those governed

8. The Origins of Revolution • Stem from the ideas of the Enlightenment • The Enlightenment ‘s emphasis on human reason appealed to colonists • Colonists saw imperial control as illogical

9. The Enlightenment in Pictures • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CP8k_f3PFq8

10. The Seven Year’s War - 1754 • Also known as The French & Indian War • Cause: • Territory dispute Over the Ohio River Valley • between British vs. French & their Native American Allies

11. As a Result of Seven Year’s War • Britain won! Peace of Paris, 1763 • Great Britain gained modern day Canada & territory east of the Mississippi

12. As a Result of Seven Year’s War • Proclamation of 1763 • “American” Colonists not allowed to move West of Appalachian Mountains • Why? Peace w/ Native American tribes • Most Colonists ignored ruling

13. As a Result of Seven Year’s War • 1.Great Britain became dominant colonial power north America • 2. “American” Colonists proud they defeated French! Created unity • 3. Great Britain left in debt 

14. British View of the Colonies • Mercantilism: A Nation’s power is measured by its economic wealth. • Britain believed that the Colonies existed solely to provide raw materials

15. Salutary Neglect • British Policy-Between 1690-1760 • Interfered very little in Colonial affairs • “a taste of freedom” for colonists • This changes after 1760 due to national debt

16. King George III Ruled Great Britain 1760-1820 • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhFKB036gyM

17. British Colonists… • Began to question their relationship with Great Britain when… • 1. Britain began imposing “unfair” laws • 2. British soldiers abused their authority • 3. When Great Britain started “taxing” colonists unfairly (to pay off debt)

18. Causes of American Revolution • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfnrdWYmZus

19. Causes of American Revolution; “Unfair Laws” • 1. Writs of Assistance, 1760-1761 • Right to search: • Homes, warehouses, businesses Without a warrant! • Meant to deter smuggling of goods

20. Causes of American Revolution; “Unfair Laws” • 2. Sugar Act, 1764 • Intended to pay off Britain’s national debt • “money for the crown” • Tax on : sugar, molasses, wine

21. Causes of American Revolution; “Unfair Laws” • 3. Quartering Act, 1765-1767 • Required colonial citizens to provide Room & Board For British Soldiers!

22. Causes of American Revolution; “Unfair Laws” • 4. Stamp Act, 1765 • Tax on : • ALL printed materials /paper goods/products • “direct tax” – on goods produced within the colonies • “Stamp” applied once tax had been paid 

23. ISSUES RAISED: • 1. Does English King &Parliament have the right to tax the colonies? • 2. Can English King & Parliament truly reflect colonial interests?

24. Colonial Reaction: Stamp Act Congress • Colonists outraged! • Stamp Act Congress – a series of meetings • Representatives of 9/13 colonies met in NY • Argued that British crown had no right to impose internal, direct tax • “no taxation w/o representation”

25. Colonial Reaction: Sons of Liberty • Sons of liberty :sometimes violent organized protest group • Led By: Samuel Adams • Organized opposition to Stamp Act • “non importation movement”- boycott British goods • http://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/american-revolution-history/videos/sons-of-liberty

26. Colonial Reaction: Boston Massacre, 1770 • Unarmed Protestors vs. British Soldiers in street in Boston • A Soldier fired into crowd • An accident? • Seen as abuse of power/authority • How many died? •  Paul Revere engraving

27. “ The Bloody Massacre” – Paul Revere

28. Colonial Reaction: Boston Massacre, 1770 • 5-7 dead + 4 wounded • Seen as an abuse of authority • Soldiers sent to trial • Declared “not guilty” • Sons of liberty used incident as propaganda against British

29. Causes of American Revolution; “Unfair Laws” • 5. Tea Act, 1773 • Meant to save the East India Company from Bankruptcy • British Government Granted monopoly ( importation & sale of tea) to East India Company

30. Colonial Reaction; Boston Tea Party, 1773 • 60 Sons of Liberty • Went to Boston Harbor, boarded ships • Threw 342 chests of tea overboard – to protest Tea Act • A justified protest? Or childish destruction of property?

31. Boston Tea Party – Eyewitness Account -Why the Costume? • “It was now evening, and I immediately dressed myself in the costume of an Indian, equipped with a small hatchet, which I and my associates denominated the tomahawk, with which, and a club, after having painted my face and hands with coal dust in the shop of a blacksmith, I repaired to Griffin's wharf, where the ships lay that contained the tea. When I first appeared in the street after being thus disguised, I fell in with many who were dressed, equipped and painted as I was, and who fell in with me and marched in order to the place of our destination” – George Hewes

32. British Response to Boston Tea Party • Coercive/Intolerable Acts, 1773: • Boston Harbor was closed • Boston Lost their charter (right to self govern) • Martial Law established • Quartering act reinforced

33. Colonial Reaction; First Continental Congress, 1774 • Representatives of 12 of 13 colonies: • 1. Urged colonies to build military reserves • 2. sent to King George III“ Declaration of Rights & Grievances”- argued unfair treatment • 3. Agreed to meet again May 1775 if grievances had not been addressed by the King

34. British Response; April 1775, Concord • New Massachusetts Governor heard rumor that colonists were beginning to stockpile weapons • Sent 700 British soldiers • To Concord To destroy colonists’ weapons housed in warehouse

35. Colonial Reaction; “The British are Coming!” • Paul Revere were sent from Boston • To warn Colonists • Known as the “the midnight ride” • Famous line: “the British are coming!!!” • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yH12l5NdJlY

36. Why does PAUL REVERE GET ALL THE CREDIT? • 1. William Dawes – also participated in the mid night ride • 2. Samuel Prescott- also participated • 3. Sybil Ludington – a 16 year old girl also warned colonists that • “ the British were coming” • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9UfrTLXYfM

37. The American War of Independence/Revolution Officially Begins, April 19 1775 • Colonists “blocked” British troops on their way to Concord • @ Lexington • 1st shot fired – “The shot heard around the world” • 1st battle: Lexington/Concord

38. Second Continental Congress, May 1775 • 13 delegates met • Named George Washington commander of Continental (Colonial Army) • Offered “Olive Branch Petition” to King George III– July 1775 • He refused to read it! • “Declaration of the Causes and Necessities of Taking Up Arms” justification for war

39. Common Sense – By: Thomas Paine, Jan. 1776 • Thomas Paine Used Locke’s natural rights philosophy • To argue/ justify independence • Paine argued : • 1. Monarchy “inappropriate for Americans” • 2. America had no economic need of Britain • 3. “a new kind of nation”

40. Second Continental Congress • Resolution: all agreed to declare the colonies independent from Britain

41. Declaration of Independence July 4th, 1776 • Principal author – Thomas Jefferson • Listed 27 “injuries” to the colonies committed by King George III • Gave reasons for Independence • A formal statement of the liberation • Creation of United States of America • However…Independence depended on outcome of war

42. British Soldiers vs. Colonial Army • British Advantages: • 1. Population 11 million vs. 2.5 Million colonists • 2. World’s largest Navy • 3. Professional army • 4. 30,000 German Mercenaries – hired Hessian soldiers • Colonist : • 1. Reason to Fight • 2. Good Military Leaders • 3. Guerrilla Warfare; surprise attacks • 4. knowledge of the territory • 5. French Help

43. Battle of Saratoga, 1777 • Turning point in war • Surprising Victory for colonists! • British outnumbered, surrendered • French decided to lend support to colonists • 1. Sent 14 ships, supplies, and money • 2. French military and financial assistance played key role in helping American colonists win war.

44. Battle of Yorktown, 1781 • The final battle • Continental (patriot) army • With help of French Forces • Defeated the British! • British Surrendered!

45. 1783, Treaty of Paris • Formal recognition of United States as a country • Boundary stretched (west) to Mississippi River, north to the Great Lakes, south to Florida • British held on to Canada

46. The American Revolution • 1. Secured American Independence • 2. Generated Sense of Nationalism • 3. Created unique form of self- governance • 4. Influenced others to rebel against their imperial powers

47. “The Real Revolution…” “…was the radical change in the principles , opinions, sentiments, and affections of the people.” – John Adams

48. The Creation of the United States of America; What Happened After the War? • 1. Democracy – The rule/power of the people. • 2.“Civic Virtue” – democracy depends on the unselfish commitment of each citizen to public good

49. Articles of Confederation (1781) • 1st attempt at constitution • Created a “league of friendship” rather than a strong “nation”

50. Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation (1781) • 1. Congress could not regulate commerce • 2. Congress could not tax • 3. Each state retained sovereignty & independence • 4. Federal Government could not exercise authority directly over states. • 5. Lack of a national judiciary system • 6. all 13 colonies had to agree when voting • 7. Lack of a national military