The American Revolution!
SS8H3: Explain causes of the American Revolution
What caused the American Revolution?
Reason Number 1: The French & Indian War or Seven Years War
2. Part of a larger worldwide war called the Seven Years War
3. Conflict between France & England over control of rich fur area of Ohio River valley
4. Fought far from GA borders (Had minimal impact on GA)
5. England obtained Canada & all land west of the Mississippi River when they won this war
6. King George III spend so much money supplying his troops during this war, that he put England in debt.
7. To pay off his debt, he imposed taxes on the colonists without their consent, which caused obvious tension and discontent with Britain
Why is it called the French & Indian War?
Reason Number 2: The Proclamation of 1763
2. Forbade the colonists from settling lands west of the Appalachian Mountains
3. Stabilized relations between England & the Native Americans because they could not afford to get into another war with them
4. This greatly upset colonists who helped in the war because they thought they would be awarded land when England won
5. Many colonists ignored the proclamation and settled the land anyway
6. GA colonists did not react the same way to the proclamation: 1. located on a major trade route; 2. had already gained land from the Spanish & Native Americans after war ended (located south of boundary lines drawn by the proclamation)
Reason Number 3: Stamp Act of 1765
This act taxed items that were commonly used by the colonists such as newspapers, licenses & legal documents. Protests broke out throughout the colony. Many were violent. Average colonists hung effigies of government leaders, attacked the homes of British officials & tarred and feathered tax collectors. Colonial leaders gave speeches and pressed the colonists to join the Stamp Act Congress. The Sons of Liberty was formed and many joined to stand up against the taxes. Eventually, due to colonial pressure, the Stamp Act was repealed but issued others in its place to pay off their debt.
Because of the strong leadership of James Wright, GAs reaction to the Stamp Act wasn't as violent. GA was the only colony where a small number of the items being taxed were sold. GAs reaction was minimal, with the exception of the "Liberty Boys" being established. This was GAs affiliation with the Sons of Liberty.
Unfair taxes were imposed on colonists
Needless to say, the colonists weren't happy.
The protested any way they could.
Reason Number 4: The Intolerable Acts
What were the Intolerable Acts?
Incident #1: Boston Massacre: March 5, 1770: British soldiers were quartered in Boston. In response, they fired into a rioting mob, killing 5 American civilians
Incident #2: Boston Tea Party: December 16, 1773; direct protest against the Tea Tax; patriots led by the Sons of Liberty, dressed as Indians, raided ships in Boston harbor dumping out 342 containers of tea into the water
Act 1: Boston Port Act
Closed the Port of Boston until destroyed tea was paid for
Act 2: Massachusetts Government Act
Colonists could not assemble unless authorized by the royal governor
Act 3: Administration Justice Act
Any British official that committed a crime in the colony was sent back to England to stand trial
Act 4: Quartering Act
Forced citizens to house and feed British soldiers at the citizens expense
This was such an impressionable law, that it was later repealed in the US Bill of Rights (Amendment III)
Act 5: Quebec Act
Expanded the Province of Quebec
Was seen by the colonists as an additional threat to the liberty and expansion of the colonies
Colonial Reactions???
Georgia's response was minimal because their governor, James Wright, was a loyalist. They did not send a representative to the First Continental Congress.
Reason Number 5: Declaration of Independence
2. Adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776
3. Drafted by Thomas Jefferson
4. By this time, GA kicked out James Wright and were under patriot rule
5. Members attended the Second Continental Congress (All of their signatures were isolated in the far lefthand corner of the document because they were not initially part of the split from England)
6. Divided into 3 parts
7. Patriots such as Thomas Jefferson, John Adams & Benjamin Franklin all signed the document
8. Had Britain won the war, they would have all likely been executed for treason
Part 1: Preamble
states reasons for document
"We hold these truths to be self evident that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty & the pursuit of happiness."