AIM: How Certain Events Lead to the Revolutionary War?

Do Now: What does “Taxation without Representation” mean to you?

French and Indian War Updated Notes• The French and Indian War was a seven-year war

(1754-1763) between England and the American colonies, against the French and some of the Indians in North America. – In 1756, the war erupted into the world-wide conflict

known as the Seven Years' War and thus came to be regarded as the North American theater of that war.

– British took control of French Canada and surrendered its claim to all lands east of the Mississippi River, except for New Orleans.

The Aftermath - UpdatedBritish Policies in the Colonies (1764-1774)

Acts Colonist Reactions

Sugar Act (1764) Responded with written protests occasional boycotts, and cries of “No Taxation Without Representation

Stamp Act (1765) Protested Violently…Boycott of British goods began

Quarterly Act (1765) Colonial Legislatures refused to pay for supplies as required

Declaratory Act (1766) Pleased with the repeal of the Stamp Act but continued to protest other British-imposed laws

Townshend Acts (1767) Resumed boycotting British goods, cutting trade in half

Key Terms• Mercantilism: Economic theory that a country should

acquire as much bullion or gold and silver, as possible by exporting more goods to imports

• Boycott: Refusal to buy a certain product or to use a service

• Sons of Liberty: In Boston in early summer of 1765 a group of shopkeepers and artisans who called themselves the Sons of Liberty– The Loyal Nine, began preparing for agitation against the

Stamp Act. As that group grew, it came to be known as the Sons of Liberty.

– Famous members included Samuel and John Adams

Boston Massacre

• March 5, 1770 a small but unruly crowd threatened British soliders– The soliders opened fire on the crowd…5 colonists

were dead or dying in the snow• Boston Massacre

Boston Tea Party• In 1773, British Parliament passed to Tea Act– To help the struggling East India Trading Company

• Tea Act: Gave the East India Trading company the right to sell its tea in America without paying normal taxes– The low taxes would make the EIC tea less expensive;

therefore, driving Colonists tea merchants out of business• Colonists (especially Tea Merchants) protested– Several port cities refused the EIC ships to dock

• On December 16, 1773, colonists disguised as Indians boarded three tea ships– Broke open every crate on board and dumped the tea into

the harbor

British Reaction

• In Spring 1774, Parliament passed the Intolerable Acts (aka the Coercive Acts).– They were called Intolerable by the colonists as they

seemed so harsh– Series of punitive acts targeted Massachusetts – Port Bill closed Boston Harbor until Boston paid for

the tea it destroyed– One law limited town meetings to once a year and

suspended the Mass general court– Mass, Virginia, and Conn lost claims to western lands – Canada’s boundary was moved southward to the

Ohio River

Colonists Reaction

• A Committee of Correspondence in several colonies called for a meeting to plan a united response to these developments– This gathering became

known as the First Continental Congress

• Gathered on Sept 5, 1774 50 delegates met in Philadelphia – Delegates came from each

colony but Georgia

Colonists Reaction– Famous delegates:

George Washington, Patrick Henry, and Samuel Adams

– Adopted a number of measures• Renewed boycott of British

goods• Colonists arm themselves

and form militias (2nd Amendment anyone)

• Direct appeal to the king outlining their grievances and asking for understanding

Lexington and Concord

• Fighting erupts on April 18, 1775• British planned a secret plan• Boston Patriots sent this person on this famous

ride– Paul Revere…”The British are coming, the British are

coming”– Lets not forget William Dawes and Samuel Prescott

• “Give me liberty or give me death” Patrick Henry

Homework