The Coming of Independence - Classroom Websites Documents... · Boston Massacre 1770 – Colonists were boycotting British goods and protesting in the streets of Boston. British troops

The Coming of Independence

Albany Plan

1754 – Albany Plan of the Union proposed by Benjamin Franklin called for annual meetings to deal with issues of common concern. Plan was turned down by the Continental Congress.

Stamp Act Congress

1765 – Harsh tax and trade policies handed down by the British caused the colonists to meet. They decided to denounce the practices by organizing boycotts of British goods and other peaceful protests.

Boston Massacre

1770 – Colonists were boycotting British goods and protesting in the streets of Boston. British troops come to break up the protest. Violence erupts and British troops fire at the crowd, killing 5 people.

Paul Revere’s version of the event

Boston Tea Party

1773 – Colonist protesting taxes placed on tea. Colonists dressed as Native Americans and dumped tea into Boston Harbor.

Boston Tea Party (eyewitness)

"The tea destroyed was contained in three ships, lying near each other at what was called at that time Griffin's wharf, and were surrounded by armed ships of war, the commanders of which had publicly declared that if the rebels, as they were pleased to style the Bostonians, should not withdraw their opposition to the landing of the tea before a certain day, the 17th day of December, 1773, they should on that day force it on shore, under the cover of their cannon's mouth.

Intolerable Acts

Spring 1774 – Parliament passes the Intolerable Acts to punish the colonists for their recent behavior in Boston. Blockaded Boston Harbor until they felt the colonists had paid them back for the tea destroyed.

1st Continental Congress

Fall 1774 – Colonists send delegates to discuss matters and make plans for action against the British. Send the Declaration of Rights to the King, protesting taxes and restrictions on the colonists.

“Shot Heard Round the World”

April 19, 1775 – British troops come to destroy a ammunitions depot and were met with militia members in Lexington and Concord where firing begins.

Lexington

Patriot Watchers

Paul Revere, William Dawes Jr., and Samuel Prescott were to spread the news that British were coming!

At dawn April 19, 1775 the British reached Lexington.

Minutemen are waiting.

Lexington

British commander orders to drop weapons.

Patriots start to leave with their guns.

Someone fired a shot-- “Shot heard around the world.”

British open fire-- 8 colonist were killed 10 wounded.

British go on to Concord.

Concord

British set fire to courthouse, destroy several gun carriages in Concord.

After a short fight with Patriots British head back to Boston.

Countryside now swarming with armed colonist.

British: 73 dead, 174 missing, 73 captured

2nd Continental Congress

May 10, 1775 – Congress meets to organize a government and army to be led by George Washington. Congress would serve as government until Articles of Confederation goes into effect.

Proposed Independence

June 7, 1776 – Richard Henry Lee is the first to publically mention breaking away from the British and becoming Independent.

Declaration of Independence

July 4, 1776 – Officially announced the United States' independent from Great Britain.

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Articles of Confederation

March 1, 1781 – formed a confederation among the states and established a unicameral legislature without executive branch or judicial branch. Meant to be temporary.

The Articles of Confederation

Took effect in 1781

It was our 1st form of Government in U.S.

Established only a “” Firm League of Friendship


Consisted only of a Congress, with each State having only one vote… regardless of size.

Required 9/13 States to pass a law… 69%

State Governments were sovereign over the National Government.


Key Powers

–Ask States for money to run government and borrow money from other countries

–Declare war and make peace

–Raise an army and a navy

–Establish a Post Office System

–Help settle disputes between States


Weaknesses – No power to tax (had to ask States)

– No way to hold Army or Navy (had to ask)

– No power to control trade and commerce between States or States & Foreign Nations

– Could not make money (each State did)

– No real power to settle disputes between States


Annapolis Convention was called in 1786 to discuss trade disputes and to brain storm new ideas on how to improve The Articles.

Only 5 of 13 States sent delegates, so the group called for another meeting the following summer in Philadelphia, PA.

Shay’s Rebellion: Led by Daniel Shay, a group of farmers revolted in Western Massachusetts because of high taxes, trade laws and crushing debt. Many farmers were imprisoned if they could not pay their debt.

Shay’s “Little Rebellion”

Mass. Legislature levies heavy taxes. Result: deflation led to foreclosures. 1786: mobs began stopping

foreclosures by forcibly preventing the courts from holding sessions.

Daniel Shay’s --veteran of Rev. War--

Shay’s “Little Rebellion”

Led a march where rebels prevented the state supreme court from meeting.

State sent troops--rebels are routed!

Episode alarmed many Americans!

Proof of the need for stronger central government.


The National Government was very weak and did not have the respect of other Nations around the world!!!

Something had to be done about this quickly before our country fell apart!

Articles of Confederation

punish lawbreakers,or settle disputes between

states.

Weakness:No Judiciary

Consequences:no way to enforce laws,

money to run gov't,execute laws passed

by Congress; no way toraise $ or pay debts.

WeaknessesNo Power to TaxConsequences:

dependent states for

control states orenforce laws.

WeaknessesNo Coercive Power

Consequences:Unable to:

conflicts between statesor protect the nation

from foriegnagrression.

WeaknessesNo Army

Consequences:No way to stop

National GovernmentConsequences related to Weaknesses