ARE YOU WITH ME???? 1 Explain why Great Britain began heavily taxing the American colonies following the French & Indian War?? 2 Discuss why the colonists were unhappy and unwilling to pay taxes levied by Great Britain s Parliament: 3 List and explain three British taxes imposed on the 13 colonies following the French & Indian War: 4 Discuss whether the Boston Massacre was an act of self-defense or a senseless murder: 5 Explain the causes of the Boston Tea Party: 6 Explain the effects of the Boston Tea Party & the consequences that occurred as a result of it
WARM UP 1) Use an online dictionary to define the following words: 1) Revolution 2) Rebellion 3) Independence 4) Treason
The Start of the American Revolution
First Continental Congress I. Upon hearing of the Intolerable Acts (1774), colonies assembled II. September 1774, 56 delegates met in Philadelphia III. Drew up a DECLARATION OF COLONIAL RIGHTS: A. Right to run their own affairs B. Supported protests in MA C. Stated if British used force against the colonies, the colonies would fight back. D. Agreed to reconvene May 1775 if demands were not met
Tensions Emerge I. Tensions between British troops and colonists is building II. British troops in Boston increasing III. Colonists in eastern NE towns stepped up military preparations A. Created militias to defend against the British Army B. Known as Minutemen à could be ready at a minutes notice IV. Stockpiled firearms and gunpowder in Concord, MA V. British General Thomas Gage learned of these, planned to seize the illegal weapons in Concord. A. Attempting to stop the revolution before it even starts
The Revolution Begins I. British soldiers in Boston were sent to capture Colonial militias weapons. II. Paul Revere, William Dawes, and Israel Bissell warned the colonists that, The Red Coats are coming. III. British troops marched to Concord to capture colonial leaders and the ammunition and weapons that were stored there. IV. The first two battles of the American Revolution were fought at Lexington and Concord, when the American militia met up with British forces.
The Battle of Lexington I. G.B. Troops Reached Lexington at dawn II. 70 minutemen drew up in lines on town green (fighting formation) III. British commander ordered to surround and disarm militia IV. Militia ordered to disperse V. Someone fired, British fired, colonists fled VI. 8 minutemen killed, 9 wounded, 1 British soldier injured VII. Lasted 15 minutes
The Battle of Concord I. British continued on to Concord, MA A. Colonial weapons were located here II. Arsenal in Concord Basically Empty A. Weapons are gone III. Brief skirmish with minutemen at North Bridge IV. British began march back to Boston to avoid further conflict, despite no reinforcements
The First Battles of the Revolution I. Lexington & Concord will become the first battles of the American Revolution II. The newly created USA will fight for independence for the next 8 years III. They will take on the strongest/richest country in the world and emerge the victor
The Return March to Boston I. 3,000 to 4,000 minutemen had assembled II. Hid behind stone walls and trees, fired at British A. Guerilla warfare: hiding, firing & running away III. British fell by the dozens, only saved when reinforcements came from Boston IV. British went back to Boston V. Colonists surrounded Boston, held the city under seige.
The Second Continental Congress I. The Second Continental Congress met in Philadelphia to discuss the next move of the colonists. A. 65 delegates met in Independence Hall II. Appointed George Washington as commander of the colonial army. III. War with Great Britain was imminent (unavoidable) A. The colonies will try one more time for peace!