1. Is Freedom Free? Answer yes or no and defend your answer

2. English Colonies • The United States Started off as 13 separate English Colonies • These Colonies Were set up for a variety of reasons.

4. Growing Tensions with Britain • For the most part the British Parliament had left the Colonies to govern themselves • This period of Little British influence is known as Salutary Neglect • Britain had used the American colonies for cheap resources • Through a system called mercantilism, the British had been using trade to gain political strength

5. French and Indian War • From 1754-1753 the British had been fighting the French. • American colonists fought the French and their Native American allies • British won out • Gained much of the French territory in the New World. • The French and Indian War brought an end to Salutary Neglect

6. British after the war • In order to prevent further conflict with natives the British forbid colonists from settling further west in The Proclamation of 1763. • The French and Indian War was very expensive, in order to help pay off their war debt the British began to place heavy taxes on the American Colonists • The first of these was the Stamp Act of 1765. This required colonists to buy an expensive stamp for all newspapers, legal documents, playing cards, and most paper products. • In the same year the Quartering Act was passed. Which required colonists to provide British troops with barracks and supplies.

7. American Response • An organization known as The Sons of Liberty was founded, and organized boycotts throughout the colonies. • Many colonists refused to buy British goods. • In October of 1765, 9 of the 13 Colonies sent representatives to New York City for what would be known as The Stamp Act Congress • This is the first time Colonists assembled to oppose British Rule

8. Repeal of the Stamp Act and further actions • In 1766 British Parliament repealed the Stamp act. • Parliament then passed the Declaratory Act of 1766, which stated that Parliament had the right to tax the colonies and make decisions for them in all cases. • Parliament a year later passed a set of laws known as the Townshend Acts, which worked as a blanket search warrant. Allowing the British Customs officers to search any ship they want.

9. Boston Massacre • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iloGkp5f_Hk

10. 1773 Tea Act and Taxation without Representation • Colonists felt the British had no right to tax them since they did not have a seat in Parliament. • In 1773 the Tea Act was passed, giving British East India company exemption from taxes on imports

11. Boston Tea Party & Intolerable Acts • December 1773, a group of colonists dumped British tea into Boston Harbor • In response to the protest, Britain passed a series of laws known as the intolerable acts. Which restricted many of the colonists civil Rights • This included a right to a trial by jury

12. 1st and 2nd Continental Congress • In 1774 12/13 Colonies sent delegates to Philadelphia in order to form a political body looking out for American interests. Sent a petition to King George demanding a return of the colonist’s rights • In 1775 the battles of Lexington and Concord break out. • May 1775 the Second Continental Congress meets. By 1776 they assign a committee to draft a Declaration of Independence.

13. Declaration of Independence • Most of the work was done by Thomas Jefferson • Listed “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness” as certain unalienable rights • The original draft called for an end to slavery • The Declaration was a list of grievances against the British Government • It also stated that these differences were irreconcilable and that the colonies were going to seek independence from the British. • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZfRaWAtBVg

14. Epic Rap Battle of Independence • You are going to write out a rap version of the Declaration. • Must make references to the following • Natural Rights • List of Grievances against Britain • The Colonies becoming independent • Keep the language CLEAN • You can perform if you would like, everyone has to turn in a written copy though.