Causes of the American Revolution: Part 3 Objective: How did England’s disregard for colonial complaints lead to the American Revolution?

Causes of the American Revolution: Part 3

Objective: How did England’s disregard for colonial complaints lead to the American Revolution?

IntroductionFollowing the passage of the Intolerable Acts,

the Colonies came together to form the First Continental Congress where a debate raged on two topics War or Peace

As events heated up, the Continental Congress appealed to the King George III for a peaceful solution, but their attempts were ignored

With no other option, the founding fathers selected Thomas Jefferson to draft the Declaration of Independence, stating America’s freedom from British rule

Lexington and ConcordThe intolerable acts placed British General Thomas Gage in control of MassachusettsHis main goal: Stop Colonial protests and prevent war

Gage learned of a stockpile of colonial weapons, sent troops to Concord, MA to seize them

Lexington and ConcordPaul Revere and other

members of the Sons of Liberty learn of the plan and alert the militia groups around New EnglandMilitia: Citizen Soldiers

William Dawes:

The most underrated

man in American History

Lexington and ConcordAs the British enter the city of

Lexington, 70 militiamen block the path to Concord

During the standoff, a shot is fired that causes both sides to begin fightingColonists retreat, British march on

Known as the “Shot heard Round the World”

Significance: First shots/battle of the Revolutionary War

Lexington and Concord

Once the British arrive in Concord, all the guns have been moved

The British march back to Boston, but are attacked by hundreds of angry colonistsBritish Casualties: 250Colonial Casualties:

Less than 100

Second Continental Congress

Definition: Meeting of colonial representatives to decide on how to respond to Lexington and Concord

Two plans emergeAppoint General George

Washington to assemble a Continental Army

Write “The Olive Branch petition” to ask for a peaceful resolution

The King rejects the Olive Branch petition, leaving the Colonists with one choice: To declare Independence

The Declaration of

Independence

The Declaration of IndependenceDefinition: The document signed on July 4,

1776 that officially proclaimed American independence from England

The Continental Congress chose Thomas Jefferson to lead the team that was to write the Declaration of Independence Others:

John AdamsBenjamin Franklin

In all 56 representatives sign the DeclarationConsidered treason, punishable by death

The Declaration of IndependenceThe Declaration was set up into

three parts:Part 1: Individual Rights

Focused on the colonists right to pursue their rights

“Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness”

Part 2: The Grievances Twenty-seven complaints against the British that

cause us to leave

Part 3: Official separationEstablishes that we are own independent

nation

Social Contract- The idea that people should follow the laws of government so long as the laws are fair and just.

Who was left out of the Declaration?Minority Group (Non-whites,

Women)“All men are created equal”It should have been “all

landowning, white, males are created equal”

The set up of the American GovernmentTHAT’S THE

CONSTITUTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!