The Revolutions

The Revolutions

by Tyler Reeves

Multiple Choice

Which of the Following was NOT one of the natural rights John Locke said all men have?

• Life

• Liberty

• Property

• Bear Arms

Multiple Choice

Events like the American and French Revolutions were sparked by ideas from a time known as the _______________

• Scientific Revolution

• Protestant Reformation

• Enlightenment

• Paleolithic Migration

Open Ended

Why do you believe we as Americans rarely, if ever consider or care how we acquired our freedom? What might Americans value more than freedom?

​Causes of American Revolution

• ​French and Indian War left Britain in debt (Colonists helped win war)

• ​Britain looked to the colonists to help pay war debt

• ​Colonists were forced to pay taxes on everyday items (paper, sugar, candle wax, tea etc)

• ​The lack of colonial representation in British Parliament (similar to our Senate (similar to our Senate) violated the colonists rights. "No taxation without representation."

​The Acts that follow

​The Declaratory Act: The British Parliament had full power and authority to "...Make laws and statutes of sufficient force and validity to bind the colonies and people of America, subjects of the crown of Great Britain in all cases whatsoever."

​​Sugar Act: British tax on molasses in the colonies

​Stamp Act: Tax on all legalized documents, licenses, government papers, playing cards etc.

​Quartering Act: Colonists had to house British soldiers if asked, could not refuse them lodging.

​Boston Tea Party

• ​On the evening of December 16, 1773, a group of men calling themselves the "Sons of Liberty," went to Boston Harbor dressed like Mohawk Indians.

• ​They boarded three British ships and dumped forty-five tons of tea into the harbor

​Boston Massacre

• ​British soldiers were sent to the colonies to enforce taxes

• ​On March 5, 1770 an argument broke out between colonists and a company of British soldiers. The colonists began throwing snowballs, ice and other objects at the soldiers.

• ​In a panic, a British soldier fires his weapon. The other soldiers follow suite and the end result is five colonists are dead.

​Choosing Sides

​Loyalists (Tories): Tens of thousands of Americans opposed the Revolution. They called themselves Loyalists; the Patriots called them Tories

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​Patriots: Were the people who wanted the American colonists to gain their independence from Britain.

Open Ended

Is this drawing of the Boston Massacre from the Point of view of Patriots or Loyalists? What details give you this idea?

Multiple Choice

Which of the British taxes focused on items like documents and playing cards

• Stamp Act

• Sugar Act

• Quartering Act

• Declaratory Act

Multiple Choice

Colonists that remained loyal to the British crown, opposing the Revolution were known as ____________

• Tories

• Patriots

Multiple Choice

This British Act made it where colonists were forced to house British soldiers

• Stamp Act

• Sugar Act

• Quartering Act

• Declaratory Act

​A Change of Heart

• ​First Continental Congress stated their loyalty to the King to stop the Parliamentary taxes

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• ​The Second Continental Congress voted for Independence from Britain

​The New Commander

​Among many other things, the Second Continental Congress elected George Washington as Commander in Chief of the Continental Army

​War Begins

​The War officially begins at Lexington and Concord, the famous "the shot heard round the world".

​The British were pushed back to Boston. This gave the colonies hope that they could fight and win a war against Britain who at the time was the world's greatest military power

​Early Trials

​At the Beginning of the war the continental army was no match for the British. After being defeated at Bunker Hill outside of Boston, the colonists lost a major battle at New York. For several months after, Washington's army was in retreat. The Revolution was in danger of being over as soon as it had begun.

Late Christmas Present

​On Christmas Night 1776, George Washington and His Army crossed the Delaware River and attacked a Hessian mercenary army at the town of Trenton.

​Significance: This was the first major victory for George Washington and it kept the Revolution alive.

​Ideals of Independence

• ​John Locke's ideas of Life, Liberty and Property were adopted by Thomas Jefferson for the Declaration of Independence. "Life, Liberty and Pursuit of Happiness." Also adopted was the idea that the government exists to protect people's rights

​Final Battle

​After years of struggle and facing near defeat, George Washington with help of the French navy trapped a large British Army at Yorktown. Surrounded, cutoff and starving the British eventually surrendered.

​Significance? This was the last battle in the Revolution

​French and American Alliance

• ​France became allies with American following the Colonial Victory at Saratoga.

• ​France offered support with ships, soldiers and supplies

• ​Set the stage for future friction of diplomatic relations.

Multiple Choice

Who did the Second Continental Congress elect as Commander of the Continental Army

• Thomas Gage

• Thomas Jefferson

• Horatio Gates

• George Washington

Open Ended

What was significant about George Washington's victory at Trenton?

Multiple Choice

This location was known as "the shot heard round the world"

• Lexington and Concord

• Trenton

• Yorktown

• Saratoga

Open Ended

What John Locke ideas were adopted in the Declaration of Independence?

Multiple Choice

Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?

• Benjamin Franklin

• Thomas Jefferson

• George Washington

• John Locke

Open Ended

Summarize the reasons why the American colonies went to war for their independence from Great Britain