American Revolution

American Revolution

1700s

Who else had claims on ("U.S.") Continent land?

• Britain = claimed 13 colonies

• France = began developing colonies more west

• This caused for Britain & France to start fighting over territory (French & Indian War 1754-1763)

The 13 Colonies Unite

• The French and Indian War lasted 7 years, with a win for Britain, and control of more land.

• The colonists had to follow laws and pay new taxes to help England pay for the costly war. This was enforced by England, but colonists had no voice/no say (no taxation without representation!)

Stamp Act (1765)

• required payment for a stamp on all important documents, which had to be printed in England

• This infuriated colonists.. Why should we have to pay taxes on everyday items like paper & tea??

Boston Tea Party (1773)

• Colonists' anger led them to protest against British rule

• Protest= a group of colonists in Boston dumped all of the tea (that was meant to be shipped out) into the harbor

• Consequences (Coercive Acts): Britain closed Boston Harbor (port) until colonists paid for ruined goods, limited town meetings, sent and placed British soldiers in the homes of colonists

Revolutionary War

• The Coercive Acts angered the colonists even more, which led to the Revolutionary War (1775).

• Continental Congress = representatives of all 13 colonies

• July 4, 1776: issued the Declaration of Independence, officially rejecting British rule (Founding Fathers).

British surrender

• With the help of the French, the colonists (Continental Congress) forced the British to surrender in 1781

• Signed a peace treaty in 1783.

•