Uniting for Independence

1. Chapter 2 Section 2 Uniting for Independence

2. The Colonies on Their Own • Colonists owed allegiance to the monarch and British government • Colonies served as a source of raw materials • Colonist became accustomed to governing themselves • Colonists remained loyal in return for self-rule and protection from the French and Indians.

3. Early Attempt at Colonial Unity • Albany Plan of Union (1754) • Benjamin Franklin • Plan for uniting the colonies to deal with trade issues and Indian attacks • Colonies and the Crown rejected it • Gave too much power to an assembly made up of representatives from all 13 colonies

4. Britain Tightens Control • French and Indian War (1754-1763) • Tightened Britain’s hold on the continent • Started as land struggle between France and Britain • Great Britain won the war

5. Causes of Independence Movement The British were left with a large war debt – expected the colonies to help repay New monarch, George III, had different ideas about how the colonies should be governed.

6. Causes of Independence Movement • Proclamation of 1763: Closed the frontier west of the Appalachians • Quartering Act of 1765: Colonial towns had to provide barracks and supplies for local garrisons of British troops. British army could commandeer inns, taverns, and other structures to house troops.

7. Taxing the Colonies • Import taxes were increased and new duties levied on products such as tea, sugar, glass, lead and paper. Sugar Act (1763) Townshend Acts (1767) • Stamp Act (1765) • First direct tax aimed solely at Americans • Tax on legal documents, pamphlets, newspapers, playing cards, etc.—things printed on paper had to show a “stamp” indicating a tax had been paid.

8. Stamp Act Congress: 1st time colonies (9) joined to oppose British government. “No Taxation Without Representation!” became slogan of the Sons of Liberty

9. Britain’s revenue increased • Colonial resentment grew: Evasion of laws & sporadic violence • “Boston Massacre” (1770) Organized Protests • Refusal to buy British goods (boycott) • Boston Tea Party (1773) – British tea was dumped into Boston Harbor in protest of taxation

10. British response to Colonial protests: • Intolerable Acts (1774) (Referred to as the Coercive Acts in Great Britain) • Closed the Boston Harbor • Withdrew the right of MA to govern itself

11. British policies spurred an American sense of community. • Most Colonists of this era were born in the New World, and began to think of themselves as Americans.

12. Committees of Correspondence • Colonial committees that urged resistance to the British and kept in touch with one another as events unfolded • Samuel Adams established first committee in Boston (1772)

13. The First Continental Congress • Delegates from all the colonies except Georgia met in Philadelphia in 1774 • Sent Declaration of Rights to the king. • Key Leaders • Patrick Henry • Samuel Adams • Richard Henry Lee • George Washington

14. Embargo – 1stCont.Congresss issued an official ban on trade or other commercial activity with Great Britain • King George III declared the New England governments in a “…state of rebellion.” • April 19, 1775 • British arrive – Battle of Lexington and Concord • “Shot heard ‘round the world”

16. Second Continental Congress • Assumed the powers of a central government in May 1775. • President – John Hancock • Voted to organize an army and navy and to issue money • George Washington – commander of the Continental Army

17. Second Continental Congress • Served as the acting government of the colonies throughout the war • Purchased supplies, negotiated treaties, rallied support for the colonists’ cause

18. Coming of Independence • Common Sense • Thomas Paine published pamphlet, Jan. 1776 • Argued that monarchy was a corrupt form of government; George III was an enemy to liberty • Samuel Adams declared that America was already independent

19. The Declaration of Independence • Committee to draft a Declaration of Independence: • John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Robert Livingston, and Roger Sherman • Jefferson was author. • June 28, 1776 – edited draft to Congress • July 4, 1776 – Congress approves final draft

20. John Hancock first to sign 56 delegate signatures “The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America”

21. Purposes of the Declaration Expressed ideals from thinkers such as Locke and Rousseau • Set out colonists’ reasons for proclaiming independence • Put forth the founding principles of the new nation • Justify the revolution

22. Three Parts of Dec. of Ind. No government at that time had been founded on the principles of human liberty and consent of the governed. 1) Preamble: begins with a statement of purpose and basic human rights. 2) Grievances: the middle section lists specific complaints against George III 3) Conclusion: states the colonists’ determination to separate from Great Britain

23. The First State Constitutions • Transformation of the colonies into states subject to no higher authority • By the end of 1776, 10 states had adopted written constitutions • Recognized the people as the sole source of authority in a limited government with only those powers given by the people

24. Common Features of New States • Popular Sovereignty • Limited Government • Civil Rights and Liberties clearly defined (Bill of Rights) • Separation of Powers with Checks & Balances (organized with independent branches of government)