Chapter 5 Section 3Birth of the American Republic

Mr. Bellisario Woodridge High School

First Period World History September 4, 2013

Britain at Mid-Century

Britain was a constitutional monarchy (had a king/queen but more democratic &

constitutional government, political parties, prime minister, cabinet)

Geography

• Great Britain is located on island

• Merchants sent ships to– West Indies– North America– India

• Set up tiny settlements, led to building an empire

Success in war because of powerful navy (no strong army)

• Tended to be on the winning side in European conflicts

• Monopolized the slave trade = great wealth for merchants

• Treaty of Utrecht – Result of war fought between Eng. and

France because King Louis Philippe of France had tried to unite France & Spain

– England won & got Nova Scotia & Newfoundland

• Treaty of Paris– Ended Seven Years War/French &

Indian War– Gave England all of French Canada– British East India Co. pushed France out

of India

1760 George III becomes king of England, wants to reassert power

• What he wanted– End to Whig domination

(Favored Parliament over monarch)

– Dissolve cabinet system (restored in 1788, king might have a “mental illness”

– Make Parliament do what HE wanted

American Colonies: Chief Characteristics

• Commercial centers–Boston–New York–Philadelphia

American Colonies: Chief Characteristics

• Navigation Acts (1600’s)– England controlled colonial trade &

manufacturing, not enforced– Smuggling was common

• Shared values (1700’s) of colonists– Respect for individual’s right to improve– Desire to separate from Great Britain

Displeasure led to the American Revolution

• Colonists resented taxes without having a say or taxation without representation, both events below occurred in 1763– England enforced Navigation

Acts (a series of laws that restricted the use of foreign shipping for trade between England and its colonies)

– Had to pay for debts after Seven Years War (a.k.a. French & Indian War)

More Unhappiness: Sugar Act 1764

More More Unhappiness: Stamp Act 1765

More More More Unhappiness Boston Massacre 1770

• 5 colonists killed by British soldiers

More More More More Unhappiness Boston Tea Party 1773

• Colonists dressed as Native Americans threw tons of tea in Boston Harbor

• Protesting tax on tea

First Continental Congress (1774)

• Met in Philadelphia to decide what action to take against British taxes

• Set up Continental Army under command of George Washington

Revolutionary War Begins

• War begins (Between England & colonists) with shots fired at Lexington and Concord

British Advantages

• Were professional soldiers• Huge fleet (powerful navy)• Money• 1/3 of colonists were Loyalists (supported

Britain & refused to fight in New York & Philadelphia)

• Gave freedom to slaves who fought on British side

Colonial Advantages/Disadvantages

Colonist Advantages• Fighting on own soil, more

at stake• Knew and Controlled

countryside

Colonist Disadvantages• Few military resources or

training • Little money to pay soldiers

Declaration of Independence (July 4 1776)

• Written by Thomas Jefferson, ideas from John Locke)– Colonists right to revolt– Popular sovereignty

(government power comes from the people)

– Outlined colonists grievances against England & George III

French Alliance

• French alliance (1777) colonial victory at Battle of Saratoga convinced France to help Colonist

• Brought colonists supplies, trained soldiers & warships

Rough Times

• Winter of 1777 & 1778 rough times for Colonists (Valley Forge)

• Health conditions were terrible – Small Pox outbreak – Dysentery

Yorktown and Treaty of Paris (1781)

• French fleet blockaded Chesapeake Bay

• Washington forced British. surrender at Yorktown

• British recognized American independence & America won all land east of Mississippi River

Articles of Confederation 1781-1789

Did not work!

1787 Constitution Convention Philadelphia, PA

• Because the Articles of Confederation did not work, a group of men including Ben Franklin, James Madison, and George Washington had to develop a new set of laws to govern the country

Constitution

Reflects Enlightenment ideas • 3 Branches of Government (Montesquieu)• Each branch has the power to check each other– Legislature (make laws)

• House of Representatives (based on population)• Senate (every state has two senators)

– Judicial (interpret laws)• U.S. Supreme Court

– Executive (Enforce laws)• President (George Washington)

Bill of Rights

• The nice thing about the Constitution is that it can be changed

• 1st ten amendments are known as the Bill of rights or a person’s basic rights

• Amendment #1, freedom of…– Religion– Speech– Press

Who was left out?

• People with no property • Women• African-Americans• Native Americans

Only white males who owned property could vote