American Colonies: Road to Revolution

Searching For Unity Colonists Struggle to Relate to Each Other When the English first came to the 13 colonies they realized that the new world presented them with both new opportunities as well as dangers. With the English government and military over 3,000 miles away, these dangers pushed the colonists towards attempting unity. Unity, however, proved to be more difficult than expected.For one, colonists came to America for different reasons. Those who settled in Virginia did so with the goal of harvesting the vast natural resources of the area, including tobacco, cotton, fruits and vegetables that grew year-round due to the warm climate. The Puritans in Massachusetts, on the other hand, came to establish the ideal society to freely practice their religion. Meanwhile, the colony of Georgia was established by Englishmen and women fleeing from jail time and debtors they owed money to.American colonists proved to be different in their livelihoods as well. Depending on where their colonies were, the English settlers established different economies. In New England fishing, lumber and crafts industries were prominent, but in the Carolinas the economy revolved around warm-weather crops.Differing reasons for coming to the new world, contrasting ideals, lifestyles and economies all contributed to a distant connection between the colonists. At times it must have seemed like the only true thing they shared was their loyalty to the English crown. Matching After reading above, connect the colonial region with defining characteristics to show what you have learned. Virginia Natural resources like tobacco, cotton, fruits and vegetables New England Fishing and lumber Massachusetts Religious freedom for Puritans Carolinas Economy revolved around warm-weather crops Georgia Established for people fleeing from debt and jail Attempts at Unity Despite their differences, the English colonists did face some of the same dangers, including conflicts with neighboring American Indians. The need for defense produced two serious attempts at unity.In 1643 the New England Confederation was a short-lived military alliance between 4 colonies in an attempt to defend the English from American Indians and competing Dutch colonists. By 1684 the the Confederation disbanded due to a lack of cooperation.70 years later, the threat of French and American Indian aggression in the new world resulted in Benjamin Franklin proposing the Albany Plan of Union. The plan called for the English colonies to create a joint council of representatives that could raise taxes and a military to defend all of the colonies. Ultimately, this plan would fail as the British government rejected the plan.Within the next year the French and British, as well as their colonies would engage in one of the largest, longest and most expensive wars in world history: the Seven Years War, also known as the French and Indian War (1754-1763). Political Cartoon Analysis Respond to the question using the above image. How does the above political cartoon symbolize the colonists' failed attempts at unifying? What does the snake represent with regard to the colonists? (Hint: Think about what you just read) WAR! French and Indian Style Watch the attached video summary of the French and Indian War and answer the questions below. What region did France occupy as they looked to expand into British territory? Florida West Coast Canada Ohio Which future American president saw his first real experience in combat during this war? Thomas Jefferson George Washington John Adams James Madison What was the name of the treaty that ended the war? Treaty of Quebec Treaty of Ontario Treaty of London Treaty of Paris Following the war the British empire was in massive debt. The national debt as a result of the war DOUBLED. Given that a majority of the money was spent to protect the colonies how did the British propose to pay off the debt? Tax the American colonists Tax the English Borrow money Force the French to pay Using the linked website above, read a summary of the six taxes that pushed colonists to revolution. A Flurry of Taxes The 4 Taxes That Caused a Revolution: Matching Sugar Tax This tax inadvertently hurt the economies of the American Colonies. Stamp Tax This tax was only repealed after it was obvious that it cost more to enforce than the money it generated. Tea Tax This tax actually lowered the price of the good it was placed on for colonists, but it allowed the British East India Company to cut colonial merchants (store owners) out of the economy completely. Townshend Taxes The money made from this act was used to pay colonial governors and agents loyal to the crown. Both American colonists and British merchants disliked it, so it was repealed. Unity at Last! NO TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION! - The Colonies React As a result of numerous attempts to tax the American colonists by the crown, came a rallying call: "no taxation without representation!"The American colonies had roughly 2.5 million people in them by 1775, or 40% of the total population of England. However, despite the massive population, not a single member of the British Parliament, who created the taxes placed on Americans, was from the Americas. Simply put, the colonists felt that they should have a say in what taxes were created to pay for the French and Indian War, and they didn't.From 1765-1775, with every new tax placed on the colonists a soft grumble turned into shouts of tyranny - absolute rule by a government that ignores the rights and welfare of the people. This was not limited government. This was not representative government. Limited Government v. Representative Government Drag the scenario under the correct topic by using what you have learned over the week days. These scenarios are complaints against the British listed in the Declaration of Independence.(There are 4 issues of "Limited Government" and 3 issues of "Representative Government") Limited Government The British crown quartered troops in colonists' homes during the French and Indian War Colonial smugglers, if caught, were thrown in prison without trial British troops remained in the colonies even after the French and Indian War American colonists could only trade with England for goods Representative Government No elected officials in Parliament Taxes imposed on the colonists without their consent In many colonies by the 1770s, the governors were appointed by the King, not elected Declaration of Independence Boycotts, Protests and Revolution On the eve of the American Revolution colonists had established their inconsolable frustration with England and there was no turning back. Tensions between the two sides had been getting worse for a decade.In 1765 American colonists responded to the Stamp Acts by boycotting (an agreement to stop buying or using a good or service) many British goods.In 1770 tensions turned into violence when British soldiers fired into a crowd of colonists who had cornered them in front of a courthouse in Boston. The colonists first began by hurling insults at the soldiers, but quickly escalated the conflict by hurling snowballs, bottles, and snowballs packed with glass shards. The event would result in 5 dead colonists and would go down in history as the Boston Massacre.In 1773 American colonists, led by merchants who were upset about losing business from the Tea Tax, dressed up as American Indians, raided a British ship in the Boston harbor and dumped thousands of pounds of tea into the water. This has since been known as the Boston Tea Party.On April 19, 1775, tensions boiled over into actual military conflict when British soldiers and the Massachusetts colonial militia opened fire on each other at Lexington and Concord.By July 4, 1776, war had unofficially begun. Everything was on the line. Then, the colonial leadership took one final, fateful step. The Declaration of Independence was signed and submitted to King George III on July 4th, 1776. There was no turning back. It was officially war. Win, and a new country would be formed. Lose, and every colonist fighting against the crown would be subject to the unrelenting wrath of the monarch. Timeline of Escalation Match the event to the date it corresponds with. 1765 Stamp Acts Boycot 1770 Boston Massacre 1773 Boston Tea Party April 19, 1775 "Shot Heard Around the World" at Lexington and Concord July 4, 1776 Declaration of Independence is submitted