22.4 the american revolution enlightenment ideas

22.4 The American 22.4 The American RevolutionRevolution

Enlightenment ideas help Enlightenment ideas help spur the American colonies to spur the American colonies to shed British rule and create a shed British rule and create a

new nation.new nation.

Britain and Its American ColoniesBritain and Its American Colonies

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

populous during the 1600s and 1700spopulous during the 1600s and 1700s Colonies thrive economically through Colonies thrive economically through

trade with Europetrade with Europe Britain’s Navigation Act restricts that trade Britain’s Navigation Act restricts that trade

(1651)(1651) Other trade laws add restrictions and taxesOther trade laws add restrictions and taxes

Colonists identify less and less as Colonists identify less and less as British subjectsBritish subjects

Americans Win Americans Win IndependenceIndependence

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 war Britain taxes colonists to help pay the war

debtsdebts Colonists argue that British cannot tax Colonists argue that British cannot tax

them without their consentthem without their consent


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 Colonists meet in Philadelphia to Colonists meet in Philadelphia to

address British policies (1774)address British policies (1774) British and Americans exchange fire at British and Americans exchange fire at

Lexington and Concord in 1775Lexington and Concord in 1775


The Influence of the EnlightenmentThe Influence of the Enlightenment Colonial leaders push for independence, Colonial leaders push for independence,

rely on Enlightenment ideasrely on Enlightenment ideas Declaration of Independence—Declaration of Independence—

document justifying colonial rebelliondocument justifying colonial rebellion Leader Thomas Jefferson writes Leader Thomas Jefferson writes

Declaration, uses ideas of John LockeDeclaration, uses ideas of John Locke


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

have advantages:have advantages: Motivating cause of freedomMotivating cause of freedom French assistanceFrench assistance War’s expense for BritainWar’s expense for Britain

British surrender at Yorktown in 1781; British surrender at Yorktown in 1781; colonists win the warcolonists win the war

Americans Create a Americans Create a RepublicRepublic A Weak National GovernmentA Weak National Government

Articles of Confederation set Articles of Confederation set government plan for new republicgovernment plan for new republic

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

Result is weak national government Result is 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 Constitutional Convention Leaders call Constitutional Convention

in 1787 to revise articlesin 1787 to revise articles Group instead creates a new Group instead creates a new

government under U.S. Constitutiongovernment under U.S. Constitution Constitution contains many political Constitution contains many political

ideas of the Enlightenmentideas of the Enlightenment

Enlightenment Ideas and Enlightenment Ideas and the Constitutionthe Constitution

Americans Create a Americans Create a RepublicRepublic The Federal SystemThe Federal System

Constitution creates three branches of governmentConstitution creates three branches of government Provides checks and balances—ensures branches Provides checks and balances—ensures branches

share power equallyshare power equally Promotes federal system—power divided between Promotes federal system—power divided between

nation and statesnation and states The Bill of RightsThe Bill of Rights

Some fear too much national power, few Some fear too much national power, few protections of rightsprotections of rights

Leaders win support for Constitution by adding a Leaders win support for Constitution by adding a Bill of RightsBill of Rights

Ten amendments to Constitution that protect freedomsTen amendments to Constitution that protect freedoms

22.4 the american revolution enlightenment ideas

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