22.4 The American 22.4 The American RevolutionRevolution

Experience and new ways of Experience and new ways of thinking help spur the thinking help spur the

American colonies to shed American colonies to shed British rule and create a new British rule and create a new

nation.nation.

Britain and Its American Britain and Its American ColoniesColonies

The American Colonies GrowThe American Colonies Grow American colonies grow large and many people American colonies grow large and many people

move there during the 1600s and 1700smove there during the 1600s and 1700s Colonies make money through trade with Colonies make money through trade with

EuropeEurope Columbian Exchange – sending goods to and from Columbian Exchange – sending goods to and from

AmericaAmerica Some trade laws help the colonists (example: Some trade laws help the colonists (example:

Navigation Acts)Navigation Acts) Colonists identify less and less as British Colonists identify less and less as British

citizenscitizens

Tension Tension

British-Colonial Tensions AriseBritish-Colonial Tensions Arise Britain and American colonies win the Britain and American colonies win the

French and Indian War in 1763French and Indian War in 1763 Britain taxes colonists to help pay the Britain taxes colonists to help pay the

war debts war debts (money owed after a war)(money owed after a war) Colonists argue that British cannot tax Colonists argue that British cannot tax

them without their consentthem without their consent The colonists don’t have someone voting for The colonists don’t have someone voting for

them in the British Parliamentthem in the British Parliament

British Acts, Colonial British Acts, Colonial ReactionReaction

Stamp ActStamp Act British: Passed a new tax on printed items (newspapers, British: Passed a new tax on printed items (newspapers,

playing cards, etc.); required a stamp to show you paidplaying cards, etc.); required a stamp to show you paid Colonists: Were angry! They boycotted British goods & Colonists: Were angry! They boycotted British goods &

formed the group Sons of Libertyformed the group Sons of Liberty

Sugar ActSugar Act British: Lowered tax on imported molasses but added British: Lowered tax on imported molasses but added

new taxes on other sugar goods; searched homes to catch new taxes on other sugar goods; searched homes to catch smugglerssmugglers

Colonists: anyone caught smuggling went to British court; Colonists: anyone caught smuggling went to British court; they were upset, but mostly merchantsthey were upset, but mostly merchants

Townsend ActsTownsend Acts British: Passed lots of new taxes on British goods, British: Passed lots of new taxes on British goods,

including teaincluding tea Colonists: Boycotted more goods; began getting Colonists: Boycotted more goods; began getting

aggressiveaggressive

War BeginsWar Begins

Growing Hostility Leads to WarGrowing Hostility Leads to War Colonists protest tea tax with “Boston Colonists protest tea tax with “Boston

Tea Party” in 1773Tea Party” in 1773 http://www.history.com/topics/american-http://www.history.com/topics/american-

revolution/boston-tea-party revolution/boston-tea-party Colonists meet in Philadelphia to Colonists meet in Philadelphia to

address British policies (1774); First address British policies (1774); First Continental CongressContinental Congress

British and Americans exchange fire at British and Americans exchange fire at Lexington and Concord in 1775Lexington and Concord in 1775

Declaration of Declaration of IndependenceIndependence

Declaration of Independence—Declaration of Independence—document justifying colonial rebellion & document justifying colonial rebellion & American freedomAmerican freedom

Leader Thomas Jefferson writes Leader Thomas Jefferson writes Declaration, stating all the reasons for Declaration, stating all the reasons for the Revolution and why America should the Revolution and why America should be its own nationbe its own nation

Americans Win Americans Win IndependenceIndependence

Success for the ColonistsSuccess for the Colonists Despite British military power, colonists Despite British military power, colonists

have advantages:have advantages: Motivating cause of freedomMotivating cause of freedom Help from the FrenchHelp from the French War’s expense for BritainWar’s expense for Britain

British surrender at Battle of Yorktowne British surrender at Battle of Yorktowne (1781)(1781)

Americans Create a Americans Create a RepublicRepublic

Articles of ConfederationArticles of Confederation The first attempt at setting up a new The first attempt at setting up a new

governmentgovernment Problems:Problems:

Articles create legislature only, no Articles create legislature only, no executive or judicial branchesexecutive or judicial branches

States have a lot of power, national States have a lot of power, national government does notgovernment does not

Result is a weak national government Result is a weak national government that fails to provide unity and orderthat fails to provide unity and order

Americans Create a Americans Create a RepublicRepublic

A New ConstitutionA New Constitution Leaders call a Constitutional Leaders call a Constitutional

Convention in 1787 to revise the Convention in 1787 to revise the ArticlesArticles

Group instead creates a new Group instead creates a new government under the U.S. Constitutiongovernment under the U.S. Constitution

Americans Create a Americans Create a RepublicRepublic

Constitution contains many new political Constitution contains many new political ideasideas Government’s power comes from the PEOPLEGovernment’s power comes from the PEOPLE

People have to approve what government does; People have to approve what government does; VOTEVOTE

Power should be spread out among several Power should be spread out among several groupsgroups No ONE person should be in chargeNo ONE person should be in charge

People should have free speech & be able to People should have free speech & be able to practice any religionpractice any religion

People have certain rights that can’t be People have certain rights that can’t be

taken awaytaken away

Americans Create a Americans Create a RepublicRepublic

The Federal SystemThe Federal System Constitution creates three branches of governmentConstitution creates three branches of government

Legislative, executive, judicialLegislative, executive, judicial Provides checks and balances—ensures branches Provides checks and balances—ensures branches

share power equallyshare power equally Ex: President can sign or veto a bill from CongressEx: President can sign or veto a bill from Congress

Promotes federal system—power divided between Promotes federal system—power divided between national and state governmentsnational and state governments

The Bill of RightsThe Bill of Rights Some fear too much national power, few protections Some fear too much national power, few protections

of rightsof rights Leaders win support for the Constitution by adding a Leaders win support for the Constitution by adding a

Bill of RightsBill of Rights Ten amendments to the Constitution that protect freedomsTen amendments to the Constitution that protect freedoms