American Revolution

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American Revolution
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American Revolution

• 1600-1700s colonies lived by themselves-own
  government, independent-saw as not British but
  Virginian, Georgian, etc.
• French and Indian War-7 Years War-English
  defended America and paid for war-England ran up
  large debt. England expected America to pay for
  debt.

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American Revolution

• 1765-Stamp Act-pay tax on deeds, newspapers,
  printed materials-Americans outraged and never
  paid direct tax before-no representation in
  Parliament. Was repealed
• Tea Tax-tax on tea-favorite drink in Americas.
  American response-Boston Tea Party and threw
  tea in Boston Harbor.

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American Revolution

• Repeal of Tea Tax-Intolerable Acts-close Boston
  Harbor, purchase things from Britain, close
  Massachusetts assembly, go to trial in England.
• Boston Massacre-British troops after being shot
  at, fired at an angry mob and killed 4 people-who
  fired shot?

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American Revolution

• First Continental Congress in 1774-all colonies
  but Georgia meet about treatment of Boston
• April 19, 1775-Shot Heard Around the
  World-gunfire at Lexington, Concord in
  Massachusetts.
• Second Continental Congress started to organize
  for war-George Washington picked as leader of
  army. Revolution began

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American Revolution
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Declaration of Independence

• Written by Thomas Jefferson July 4, 1776-based
  upon John Lockes words/ideas.
• All men are created equal and
• all men endowed by their Creator with certain
  unalienable rights, among these are life, liberty
  and pursuit of happiness.
• 3 parts-Rights of men, 27 complaints against King
  George III and the declaration of separation from
  England.

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Declaration of Independence
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Create New Republic

• Weak National Government-Articles of
  Confederation-President John Hancock did not take
  office, Vermont wanted to leave and join Canada,
  VA and PA fought, no way to raise money,
  revolutionary veterans rebelled against taxes.
• Needed New Constitution. February 1787-convention
  started

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Enlightenment Ideas in Constitution

• Locke-Preamble We the people, representative
  government, limits government powers.
• Montesquieu-separation of powers, federal system
  of government, powers divided by branches and
  checks and balances.
• Rousseau-direct democracy-election of President
  and Congress

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Enlightenment Ideas in Constitution

• Voltaire-free speech, religious toleration would
  be the Bill of Rights with freedom of speech and
  religion.
• Beccaria-accused have rights and no torture so
  Bill of Rights protects rights of accused and
  prohibits cruel and unusual punishment.

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Constitution

• Federal system-states and national government
• Checks and balances
• Bill of Rights
• Limited government
• No monarchy

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Constitution
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Constitution