The Start of t he American Revolution

1. The Start of theAmerican Revolution

2. King of England During the Revolution • King George III was the king of England during the American Revolution. • He wanted to ensure peacein the American Coloniesas they were providing Britain with a lot of goods for the British Industrial Revolution. • The American Revolution starts in April 19, 1775 and ends September 9, 1781.

3. The Shot Heard Round the World • The opening shots of the American Revolution occurred at Lexington Green, Massachusetts on April 19, 1775. • It was known as the battle of Lexington Concord. • British and American troops were lined up face to face. The American’s had had enough of British rule, the British wanted to keep the colonists at bay. • It was an extremely tense situation, everyone one both sides were nervous. The British were in nicely fitted uniforms, well armed and organized. • The American’s were in plain clothes, somewhat organized, but mad as hell.

4. The Shot Heard Round the World • Two groups, looking at each other, standing there quietly. No one giving the command to fire. All silent, quiet….. • Then a shot rang from (most likely) an American gun. Firing across the open space and right towards a British soldier. • The British pointed their loaded muskets at the American’s, and in a true uniform military style, all of them fired at once at the Americans. • The Revolution had begun.

5. The Shot Heard Round the World • The British, mostly because they were well trained, were able to push the Americans back and drive them away from the battlefield. • Surprisingly, very few American’s were killed or wounded. • After the battle Amos Barrett, a Colonial Militia fighter at Lexington Green wrote, • “It is straing that their warnt no more killed, but they fird to high.” • What do you think Barrett was trying to say? What do you notice of his writing skills?

6. Not good for the British • This revolutionary war was nothing short of trouble for the British. • Citizens in Great Britain sympathized with the colonies in America. They reflected back on their own history and can understand a government that ruled with an iron fist. • To make matters worse for the British, George Washington – a greatmilitary strategist and politician – was named Commander of theContinental Army in June 15, 1775.

7. Siege on Canada • In June of1775 the American’s, fearful that the British will use Canada as a hub for the British military, decide to attack Montreal and Quebec. • The American’s were led by Benedict Arnold and Richard Montgomery. • Americans lost both battles - one at Quebec and the other in Montreal. The American’s were forced to retreat. • The losses left Canada firmly in British hands and gave the British military a good base from which to launch attacks on New York and New England.

8. Second Continental Congress • On May 5, 1775 representatives from the thirteen colonies (56 men in totally) met in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – this was called the Second Continental Congress. • They had one meeting prior to this in September 1774. It brought together all the leaders from the thirteen colonies. • But they were divided and couldn’t come to a unified plan: • Those from the northern colonies (New York, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and etc..) wanted to create a treaty (an agreement) with Great Britain. They wanted to remain part of the British Monarchy, without having to go through a revolution. • Those from the southern colonies (Virginia, Carolina, Georgia) wanted 100% separation from Great Britain, even if it meant going to war.

9. Second Continental Congress • Because of Lexington-Concord, the congress met again, this time they were more unified than ever before. • Lexington-Concord had shown that there was no going back to a peaceful resolution with the British, so it was now an “Us versus Them” affair. • At this conference, three key figures to the Revolution helped write and create the Declaration of Independence – Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin and John Quincy Adams.

10. Thomas Jefferson • Thomas Jefferson • Born April 13 1743 – Died July 4, 1826. • He was 32 years old when he wrote the Declaration of Independence. • He was a representative from Virginia. • Prior to this he was a lawyer. • From March 4, 1797 – March 4, 1801 he was one of John Adam’s Vice Presidents • On March 4, 1801 he defeated John Adam’s as President of the United States and was the 3rd USA President until 1809.

11. John Adams • John Adams • Born 1735 – DiedJuly 4, 1826 • He was a delegate from Massachusetts during the Second Continental Congress • He was a Harvard Graduate and became a lawyer • He assisted Jefferson in writing the Declaration of Independence • April 21 1789 – March 4 1797 he was George Washington’s (and the USA’s) first Vice President. • March 4 – 1797 – March 4 1801 he was the Second President of the United States of America

12. Benjamin Franklin • Benjamin Franklin • Born January 17, 1706 – Died April 17, 1790 • Was the third key writer of theDeclaration of Independence (along with Jefferson and Adams). • He was a businessman and an inventor. • He represented Pennsylvania at the Second Continental Congress. • He never became a vice president or the president of the USA.

13. Declaration of Independence • “The Declaration of Independence” was adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. • It was very similar to that of “The Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen” from the French Revolution. • Both the French and the American’s were vastly influenced by Rousseau, Voltaire, and Montesquieu.

14. Declaration of Independance • http://www.history.com/topics/declaration-of-independence/videos#declaration-of-independence • http://www.history.com/topics/declaration-of-independence/videos#jefferson-writes-the-declaration-of-independence • http://www.history.com/topics/declaration-of-independence/videos#american-revolution

15. The Two Declarations • Review the Declaration of Independence and the Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen in groups of three – discuss how the Declaration of Independence was a lot like the Declaration of the Rights of Manand how it was different.