Download - The American Revolution
The American Revolution
The USA – Today (50 States)
The USA on 4th July 1776 (in red)
Key Word – Colony (a country or region controlled by another country)
Most of the original thirteen colonies of America (can you name them?) were established by British explorers
Many people emigrated to the colonies in the 1700s to avoid religious persecution and gain new wealth
Tobacco and cotton were two key “cash crops” grown in the colonies for export to Britain and Europe
British America
African slaves growing cotton in Virginia
The reality of slaveryAfrican Slaves were denied an education and subjected to harsh beatings .
If they attempted to escape they could be killed.
King of England appointed Governors to each colony Governors were advised by an elected assembly in each
colony The King (George III) had final say on how the colonies should
be run Colonists elected NO representatives to the English
Parliament in London.
Why? What problems could this cause?
How was America ruled?
The Enlightenment (spread of new ideas) meant people were less willing to accept the idea of the “Divine Right of Kings” to rule countries
Immigration – not all colonists considered themselves British No Representation – Colonists did not elect anyone to the
English Parliament Unfair Taxes – the London Parliament placed taxes and trade
restrictions on the colonies which many colonists felt was unfair (e.g. The Townshend Acts)
Why were the American colonists unhappy?
The Boston Massacre - 1770British “Redcoat” soldiers shown firing into a crowd of unarmed civilians who were protesting against the Townshend Acts.
In reality only two soldiers fired into the crowd and only after being attacked by the crowd.
What is this an example of?
Boston Massacre – Picture on P191
The Boston Tea Party – a protest against a tax on Tea
1773 – Boston Tea Party 1773 – Intolerable Acts passed by British to punish Boston 1774 – Continental Congress – Colonies began to cooperate
to defend themselves from British control 1775 – British General Gage (below) attempts to seize colonial
militia weapons – battles at Lexington and Concord follow.
The drift to War...
The First Continental Congress
Battle of Lexington, 1775
Redcoat ___________________________________________ Militia ____________________________________________ Intolerable Acts _____________________________________ Townshend Acts ____________________________________ Lexington __________________________________________ Continental Congress ________________________________ General Gage ______________________________________ Quartering Act _____________________________________ Navigation Act _____________________________________
Key Terms - definition
George Washington on the one dollar note
George Washington – People in History
The Propaganda War – Thomas Paine
Independence Declared – 4th July 1776
The War Drags on... Valley Forge
Benjamin Franklin & the French Connection
The French Navy sides with the Americans
Victory and Recognition
Treaty of Paris is signed
Democracy established – an example set for other countries (esp France & Ireland)
USA was Governed according to a Constitution and Laws – no more “Divine Right of Kings”
America free to expand Westwards – growing to become the superpower it is today
Some problems (e.g. Slavery) not resolved – would continue to be a problem to the present day.
Influence of the American Revolution