Lesson 4: Declaration of Independence and pre-Revolutionary War
The Revolutionary War, like any other event in history, was not caused by one act, but the result of many acts leading up to it. Though there are many more causes than will presented here, the following are a few of the important acts of the British Parliament which led to the revolution of the American colonists.
1. Salutary Neglect - This was explained in the last lesson. Until the French and Indian War, the English/British government had not paid too much attention to its colonies.
2. French and Indian War - Particularly with the ending of the war in 1763, the British (English) realized the colonies could no longer be ignored. The war was fought to gain land west of the Appalachian mountains. It also cost the British a lot of money, supplies, and soldiers for a war that many believed was the colonist's fault.
3. Proclamation Line of 1763 - Although, for the colonists, the French and Indian War was all about being able to expand west. The British, however, felt that western movement was dangerous. Colonists moving west would get natives upset at them and would expect to be protected. The Proclamation was set up so that colonists could not move west of the Appalachian mountains. This would be enforced by redcoats (British military) who would protect the colonists from Native American attacks (and keep the colonists from moving west).
4. Sugar Act (1764) - In 1733, the Sugar and Molasses Act was passed, taxing the colonists. These taxes, however, were not enforced. With the ending of the war and the need to renew the Sugar and Molasses Act, the Sugar act was passed and enforced. This was the first time any taxation by the British government had been enforced and colonists were upset about the new taxation.
5. Quartering Act (1765) - Since soldiers were needed to "protect" the colonists, they needed places to stay. The Quartering Act required colonists to feed and house soldiers. Colonists, once again, were not happy, particularly when they didn't feel that they were in danger of Native American attacks.
6. Stamp Act (1765) - As another way to get taxes (to pay off debts from the French and Indian War), all official papers had to have an official stamp, for which the colonists had to pay. These official papers included shipping documents (docking, immigration, trade), vital records (birth, marriage, death), licenses (businesses), newspapers, and playing cards. (Why playing cards? No idea!)
7. Stamp Act Congress (1765-66) - This was the first time the colonies came together to try to do anything. It was a failure because representatives of Georgia, North Carolina, New Hampshire, and Virginia didn't show up. The only success they had was agreeing that they were not sure the British Parliament had the right to tax the colonists (particularly since they had no representation in Parliament).
8. Non Importation Agreements (1766) - More successful than the Stamp Act Congress was the agreements made by the Sons of Liberty and Whig merchants. They organized this as a boycott on British goods. This would be a blow to the British economy because half of British manufacturing came to the Americas.
9. Declaratory Act (1766) - Parliament, realizing that the colonists were really, really unhappy, used this act to lift the Stamp Act. As part of the act, however, they said that they were ending the tax but they had the right to tax the colonists.
10. Townshend Acts (1767) - Backing out of the Stamp Act meant that there was not nearly as much money being brought in to pay debts or pay for other government needs. This act was on glass, lead, paints, paper, and tea. Colonists, in an effort to get Britain to stop these taxes, began to support smugglers from other countries. All goods coming into the colonies were supposed to go through Britain, but smugglers began bringing these goods straight to the colonies. Drinking smuggled tea became fashionable. The British lowered the price of tea in an effort to get colonists to buy it, but colonists still drank smuggled tea (even though it was more expensive to do so).
11. Boston Massacre (1770) - Read about the Boston Massacre here: http://www.bostonmassacre.net/plot/detailed1.htm
12. Boston Tea Party (1773) - Watch this video from the History channel: http://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/boston-tea-party
13. Intolerable Acts (1774) - Read about the Intolerable Acts here: http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/wwww/us/intolerableactsdef.htm
14. Continental Congresses (1774-1777) - There were several meetings of the "Continental Congress". These meetings brought together representatives from the colonies. Some of the most important things they did were to appoint George Washington as the leader of the Continental Army and to write the Declaration of Independence.
1. Salutary Neglect - This was explained in the last lesson. Until the French and Indian War, the English/British government had not paid too much attention to its colonies.
2. French and Indian War - Particularly with the ending of the war in 1763, the British (English) realized the colonies could no longer be ignored. The war was fought to gain land west of the Appalachian mountains. It also cost the British a lot of money, supplies, and soldiers for a war that many believed was the colonist's fault.
3. Proclamation Line of 1763 - Although, for the colonists, the French and Indian War was all about being able to expand west. The British, however, felt that western movement was dangerous. Colonists moving west would get natives upset at them and would expect to be protected. The Proclamation was set up so that colonists could not move west of the Appalachian mountains. This would be enforced by redcoats (British military) who would protect the colonists from Native American attacks (and keep the colonists from moving west).
4. Sugar Act (1764) - In 1733, the Sugar and Molasses Act was passed, taxing the colonists. These taxes, however, were not enforced. With the ending of the war and the need to renew the Sugar and Molasses Act, the Sugar act was passed and enforced. This was the first time any taxation by the British government had been enforced and colonists were upset about the new taxation.
5. Quartering Act (1765) - Since soldiers were needed to "protect" the colonists, they needed places to stay. The Quartering Act required colonists to feed and house soldiers. Colonists, once again, were not happy, particularly when they didn't feel that they were in danger of Native American attacks.
6. Stamp Act (1765) - As another way to get taxes (to pay off debts from the French and Indian War), all official papers had to have an official stamp, for which the colonists had to pay. These official papers included shipping documents (docking, immigration, trade), vital records (birth, marriage, death), licenses (businesses), newspapers, and playing cards. (Why playing cards? No idea!)
7. Stamp Act Congress (1765-66) - This was the first time the colonies came together to try to do anything. It was a failure because representatives of Georgia, North Carolina, New Hampshire, and Virginia didn't show up. The only success they had was agreeing that they were not sure the British Parliament had the right to tax the colonists (particularly since they had no representation in Parliament).
8. Non Importation Agreements (1766) - More successful than the Stamp Act Congress was the agreements made by the Sons of Liberty and Whig merchants. They organized this as a boycott on British goods. This would be a blow to the British economy because half of British manufacturing came to the Americas.
9. Declaratory Act (1766) - Parliament, realizing that the colonists were really, really unhappy, used this act to lift the Stamp Act. As part of the act, however, they said that they were ending the tax but they had the right to tax the colonists.
10. Townshend Acts (1767) - Backing out of the Stamp Act meant that there was not nearly as much money being brought in to pay debts or pay for other government needs. This act was on glass, lead, paints, paper, and tea. Colonists, in an effort to get Britain to stop these taxes, began to support smugglers from other countries. All goods coming into the colonies were supposed to go through Britain, but smugglers began bringing these goods straight to the colonies. Drinking smuggled tea became fashionable. The British lowered the price of tea in an effort to get colonists to buy it, but colonists still drank smuggled tea (even though it was more expensive to do so).
11. Boston Massacre (1770) - Read about the Boston Massacre here: http://www.bostonmassacre.net/plot/detailed1.htm
12. Boston Tea Party (1773) - Watch this video from the History channel: http://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/boston-tea-party
13. Intolerable Acts (1774) - Read about the Intolerable Acts here: http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/wwww/us/intolerableactsdef.htm
14. Continental Congresses (1774-1777) - There were several meetings of the "Continental Congress". These meetings brought together representatives from the colonies. Some of the most important things they did were to appoint George Washington as the leader of the Continental Army and to write the Declaration of Independence.
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence was not originally meant for the colonists to tell the king they were going break away from the British Empire. It was more of a threat - if you don't do this, we are leaving. The main writer of the Declaration was Thomas Jefferson. The first signer of the Declaration was John Hancock. He signed his name very large so that the king would be able to read his signature without his glasses on. Other signers signed their names so that they wouldn't be recognizable, in fear of what the British government might do to them, since signing the Declaration could be (and was) a sign of rebellion against the Crown. Watch the following video and note the references made to the time-period and the people. Watch for King George, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Samuel Adams, and John Hancock. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZfRaWAtBVg
It is interesting, as a side note, that the Declaration of Independence was not signed on July 4, 1776, but that is still the day we celebrate as the founding of our country. Read the Declaration of Independence here: http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/declaration_transcript.html
It is interesting, as a side note, that the Declaration of Independence was not signed on July 4, 1776, but that is still the day we celebrate as the founding of our country. Read the Declaration of Independence here: http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/declaration_transcript.html
Assignment #5
1. What was the number one reason why colonists were upset with the British government?
2. Which act was passed by Parliament to appease colonist objections?
3. In your opinion, was the Stamp Act Congress a success or failure? Why?
4. Describe the Boston Massacre as if you were one of the British soldiers.
5. Citizens in Great Britain were required to pay taxes. What was the difference between the colonists paying taxes and a citizen living in Britain?
6. List 3 facts you didn't know that came from the grievances listed in the Declaration of Independence.
7. Did the Second Continental Congress do the right thing in sending the Declaration of Independence? Why do you think that?
8. Were the colonists justified in fighting against Great Britain? Defend your position. (This should be at least one paragraph long.)
9. Do your own research on one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Write a mini-biography on that person. It should be at least 3 paragraphs long and have 2 sources. Wikipedia or other wikis cannot be one of your sources. Make sure to use MLA formatting and include a Works Cited section.
2. Which act was passed by Parliament to appease colonist objections?
3. In your opinion, was the Stamp Act Congress a success or failure? Why?
4. Describe the Boston Massacre as if you were one of the British soldiers.
5. Citizens in Great Britain were required to pay taxes. What was the difference between the colonists paying taxes and a citizen living in Britain?
6. List 3 facts you didn't know that came from the grievances listed in the Declaration of Independence.
7. Did the Second Continental Congress do the right thing in sending the Declaration of Independence? Why do you think that?
8. Were the colonists justified in fighting against Great Britain? Defend your position. (This should be at least one paragraph long.)
9. Do your own research on one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Write a mini-biography on that person. It should be at least 3 paragraphs long and have 2 sources. Wikipedia or other wikis cannot be one of your sources. Make sure to use MLA formatting and include a Works Cited section.