Lesson 7

Lesson 7 Toward Independence

Colonists could only settle land east of the Appalachian Mountains. Colonists called this an act of tyranny. British ignored complaints and sent troops.

Proclamation of 1763

Colonists had to pay taxes on any paper goods. Colonists sent messages to Parliament, and boycotted paper goods. The British government repealed tax.

Stamp Act

Townhall Meeting

​Discuss and Vote soon

Question: At this time, should American colonists rebel against the British? If not, what should they do?

Open Ended

At this time, should American colonists rebel against the British? If not, what should they do?

Poll

What should colonists decide?

• Rebel from British rule

• Comply with British rule

• Oppose British rule

A duty (tax on goods), that the colonists imported from Great Britain. These acts were passed to raise money for the British military in the colonies.

​​Townshend Act

Colonists boycotted taxed goods. Lord North repealed the tax since British businesses were losing money. Tea tax was left out of the repeal.

Repeal

​Section Three REVIEW

Pual Revere

" Unhappy Boston! see thy Sons deplore Thy hallow’d walks besmear’d with guiltless gore While faithless P____n and his savage bands With murd'rous rancour stretch their bloody hands" 

​Section 4 REVIEW

Colonists in the Boston Massacre were unarmed but yelling insults at British soliders (Lobster Backs!).

Patriot Viewpoint

British soldiers were there to protect colonists. Colonists threw rocks and snowballs at the armed soldiers.

Loyalist Viewpoint

​Section Four Continued

BEFORE he was president, John Adams defended British soldiers who were accused of killing colonists at the Boston Massacre. He believed in upholding the law and a fair trial.

John Adams

​The HBO mini-series John Adams features scenes of the trial. The actor Paul Giamatti plays John Adams, pictured far right here.

Patriots believed destructive action was needed to defend the rights of the people and representative government.

​​The Patriot Press

Loyalists saw the Patriots as rowdy, unreasonable, and difficult to control.

The Loyalists Times

​Section Five REVIEW

Townhall Meeting

​Discuss and Vote soon

Question: At this time, should American colonists rebel against the British? If not, what should they do?

Open Ended

At this time, should American colonists rebel against the British? If not, what should they do?

Poll

What should colonists do following the events of the Boston Massacre and the Townsend Acts?

• Colonists should comply with British law

• Colonists should oppose British law

• Colonists should rebel against the British government

Section 6 REVIEW

After the Boston Tea Party

King George no longer wanted to just collect taxes, he wanted to control the colonies. Actions of the Intolerable Acts closed Boston Harbor to shipping. This may end up with businesses losing money. The British government now controlled the Massachusetts government. Colonists could no longer voice their concerns at town meetings.British soldiers accused of murder would have a trial in England, not the colonies. People in England will not understand the circumstances and would likely side with the soldier.

• Patrick Henry

" I am not a Virginian, but an American. " 

Section 7 REVIEW

Paul Revere (and others) rode by horseback to warn colonists of the British troops moving into to take guns.

April 19, 1775

British troops leave Boston marching to seize gunpowder and weapons.

​April 18, 1775

Following reports of Patriot guns being stored in Concord, troops arrive to search.

British troops

Militia units fight against the British to stop the search for Patriot weapons.

Colonists fight

Colonists attack British on the retreat back to Boston.

British retreat

​Section 7

Multiple Choice

Which of these groups gained territory in North America as a result of the French and Indian War?

• The French gained territory in North America.
• The Spanish gained territory in North America.
• The Native Americans gained territory in North America.
• The British gained territory in North America.

Multiple Choice

Before 1760, which statement best describes the colonies?

• The colonies had assemblies that passed laws.

• The colonies were primarily urban and trade-focused.
• The colonies were industrialized and self-sufficient.
• The colonies had a strong military presence independent of Britain.

Multiple Choice

The name Boston Massacre was given to the events of March 5, 1770, in order to

• celebrate British victory
• promote peace with Native Americans
• highlight colonial trade benefits
• rally support against British rule