The American RevolutionChapter 8, Lesson 4

New Rulers in Britain● 1714: End of the Stuart dynasty

o Last Stuart ruler (Queen Anne) died without an heir o Throne is offered to Queen’s nearest relatives-- Protestant

rulers of the German state of Hanover● Cultural Barriers

o George I did not speak Englisho George I and George II did not understand British system of

governmento Chief ministers allowed to deal with Parliament

North American Colonization● After 7 Years’ War, Britain controlled Canada and 13

colonies (modern day United States)o Well-populated (more than 1 million people by 1750)o Very prosperous (rich in natural resources)

● Control of colonieso In theory, colonies were run by British Board of Trade, the

Royal Council, and Parliamento In reality, colonies had legislatures that acted independent of

Britaino Merchants did not want Britain controlling their affairs

Revolution● After 7 Years’ War, British leaders wanted to tax the

colonies to cover the costs of the war and pay for cost of keeping an army in the colonies for protection

● Stamp Act passed in 1765o Required certain printed materials to carry a stamp showing

the tax had been paido Violent opposition led to its repeal in 1766o Immediate crisis solved, but cause of dispute not solved

Revolution● First Continental Congress

o Met in Philadelphia in September 1774o Create to counteract British actionso Urged colonists to take up arms and organize militias

● Fighting erupts in Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts, in April 1775o Second Continental Congress creates an army and puts George

Washington in charge

● Declaration of Independenceo Written by Thomas Jeffersono Approved by Second Continental Congress July 1776

British Defeat● Colonies get support from France

o Supplied the colonies with weapons and moneyo French officers served in Washington’s armyo France recognizes the U.S. as a country in 1778

● British Gen. Cornwallis forced to surrender to Washington’s forces at Yorktown in 1781o Britain decides to end the waro Treaty of Paris passed in 1783 and recognized the

independence of the colonies

Articles of Confederation● First government of the U.S.● Former colonies feared the power of a strong central

government● Articles of Confederation created a weak central

government o No power to taxo No power to enforce lawso No national army or navyo No central money systemo No control over trade between the states

U.S. Constitution● Second government of the U.S. (1787)● Creates a federal system

o National government and state governments share power● Separation of powers

o Based on Montesquieu’s ideaso 3 branches of government (executive, legislative, judicial)o Checks and balances

Bill of Rights● 12 proposed, 10 adopted

o Freedom of religion, speech, press, petition, and assemblyo Right to bear armso Protection from unreasonable search and seizureo Guaranteed trial by jury, due process of law, and property

rights● Derived from natural rights proposed by 1700’s

philosophes and John Locke● European intellectuals saw the American Revolution

as a confirmation of Enlightenment ideas