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CH. 2-2 THE COMING OF INDEPENDENCE

CH. 2-2 THE COMING OF INDEPENDENCE. AMERICAN GOVERNMENT. BRITAIN’S COLONIAL POLICIES. Each colony controlled separately by the Privy Council and the Board of Trade in London.

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CH. 2-2 THE COMING OF INDEPENDENCE

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  1. CH. 2-2 THE COMING OF INDEPENDENCE AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

  2. BRITAIN’S COLONIAL POLICIES • Each colony controlled separately by the Privy Council and the Board of Trade in London. • Colonists became used to self-government because England was 3,000 miles away across the Atlantic Ocean (a 2-month sail) • Colonial legislatures found the power of the purse very effective • Governors were controlled because the legislature wouldn’t pay them if they didn’t follow legislative plans

  3. By mid-1700s, the relationship between colonies and England was similar to a federal system • 1760—George III becomes king. • Restrictive trade acts expanded and new taxes were imposed. • Colonist expressed strong opposition • “taxation without representation”

  4. GROWING COLONIAL UNITY • Colonists would need to learn to work together if they were to break from Great Britain • EARLY ATTEMPTS • 1643—New England Confederation • Massachusetts Bay, Plymouth, New Haven, Connecticut • CONFEDERATION—joining of several groups for a common purpose

  5. League of friendship against Native Americans • Eventually the danger from Native Americans passed and friction among the settlements grew. • Confederation dissolved in 1684 • 1696—William Penn offered an elaborate plan for intercolonial cooperation but it received little attention and was forgotten

  6. THE ALBANY PLAN • 1754—British Board of Trade called a meeting of seven of the northern colonies at Albany, NY • CT, MD, MA, NH, NY, PA, RI • Main purpose: discuss problems of colonial trade and the danger of attacks by French and Native Americans • Ben Franklin proposes the Albany Plan of Union

  7. --formation of an annual congress of DELEGATES (representatives) from the 13 colonies. • --congress could raise military, navy, make war and peace with Native Americans, regulate trade, tax, and collect customs duties • Franklin’s plan was ahead of its time • Delegates at the meeting agreed but it was rejected by the colonies and the Crown

  8. THE STAMP ACT CONGRESS • Parliament had passed the Stamp Act of 1765 • Law required use of tax stamps on all legal documents, certain business agreements, and on newspapers • October 1765—Nine colonies (all but GA, NH, NC, VA) sent delegates to NY • Delegates prepared a strong protest called The Declaration of Rights and Grievances

  9. First time a significant number of the colonies had joined to oppose the British Government • Parliament repealed the Stamp Act but passed other laws that the colonists opposed • Mob violence erupted at many ports and a BOYCOTT was supported on British goods • March 5, 1770—British troops fired on a hostile crowd killing 5—The Boston Massacre • Organized resistance was carried out by COMMITTEES OF CORESPONDENCE

  10. Provided a network of cooperation and an exchange of ideas • Protests multiplied • December 16, 1773—Boston Tea Party • Men, disguised as Native Americans, boarded 3 cargo ships in Boston harbor then dumped the cargo into the sea

  11. THE FIRST CONTINENTAL CONGRESS • Spring 1774—Parliament passed another set of laws to punish colonists for trouble in Boston—The Intolerable Acts • Sept. 5, 1774—Representatives from all colonies except GA met in Philadelphia • Samuel Adams, John Adams, Roger Sherman, John Jay, Richard Henry Lee, Patrick Henry, etc. • For nearly 2 months—discussions about the worsening situation

  12. They also debated plans for action. • Declaration of Rights (protesting colonial policies) sent to King George III • Delegates urged colonies to refuse all trade with England until the taxes and trade regulations were REPEALED • Meeting adjourned October 26, 1774 with a call for another meeting in May 1775 • All colonies, including GA, gave support to the actions of the First Continental Congress

  13. THE SECOND CONTINENTAL CONGRESS • Winter 1774-75—British refused to compromise • Reaction to the Declaration of Rights was with even stricter and more repressive measures • May 10, 1775—Delegates again meet in Philadelphia • Revolution had begun • “Shot Heard ‘Round the World”—April 19, 1775 @ Lexington & Concord, NH

  14. REPRESENTATIVES • All colonies sent delegates (many from before) • Newcomers—Benjamin Franklin, John Hancock • Hancock was chosen President of the Congress • First action was to create a continental army • George Washington chosen as commander-in-chief • Thomas Jefferson replaced Washington in the VA delegation

  15. The Second Continental Congress served as the government of the United States for 5 years—July 4, 1776 to March 1, 1781 • During this time the Congress did several things: • --fought a war • --raised armies and a navy • --borrowed funds • --bought supplies • --created a monetary system • --made treaties with foreign powers

  16. The unicameral congress exercised both legislative and executive powers • Legislative—each colony had 1 vote • Executive—handled by committees of delegates

  17. THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE • Richard Henry Lee (VA) proposed independence on June 7, 1776 (p. 38) • Committee of 5 named to prepare a proclamation of independence • Franklin, J. Adams, Sherman, Livingston, Jefferson • Many delegates has serious doubts about a complete break from England

  18. July 2, 1776—delegates agree to Lee’s resolution • July 4, 1776—delegates adopt the Declaration of Independence proclaiming a new nation • Independence was announced in the first paragraph • The rest of the document speaks to “the repeated injuries and usurpations” that led colonies to revolt • (text from the Declaration p. 38)

  19. THE FIRST STATE CONSTITUITIONS • Jan. 1776—NH adopted a constitution to replace its royal charter • 3 months later SC followed • May 10, 1776—Congress urged each colony to adopt “governments…that would best give their constituents happiness and safety” • DRAFTING STATE CONSTITUTIONS • MA set a lasting example of constitution-writing

  20. 1780—MA passed a constitution and submitted it to the voters for ratification • The oldest of the present-day State constitutions and the oldest written constitution in the world today • COMMON FEATURES • --POPULAR SOVEREIGNTY (government can exist only with the consent of the governed)

  21. --limited government • --civil rights and liberties • --separation of powers • --checks and balances • (table p. 39) • Documents were usually brief • New State governors weren’t given much real power • Most authority was granted to the legislature

  22. Elective terms were short-one or two years • Right to vote limited to adult white males who met rigid qualifications including property ownership • THE END

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