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John Locke writes about Natural Rights (VUS.4a)
The period known as the “Enlightenment” during the 17th and 18th centuries saw new ideas about the rights of people and their relationship to their rulers. John Locke's ideas, more than any others, influenced the American belief in self-government. Locke wrote that people have natural rights, power to govern comes from the people, and the government must protect people and their rights!
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Toward the American Revolution (VUS.4)
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Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God (VUS.3)
This was one of the pivotal sermons during “The Great Awakening” - a religious movement that swept both Europe and the colonies during the mid-1700s. It led to the rapid growth of evangelical religions such as the Methodists and Baptists and challenged the established religious and governmental order. It laid one of the social foundations for the American Revolution – Learn more about the Great Awakening! -
French and Indian War Begins (VUS.4c)
The rivalry in North America between England and France led to the French and Indian War. The territory in the Ohio River Valley was prime real estate for expansion – fertile with a water route to the Mississippi.
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French and Indian War
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French and Indian War Ends (VUS.4c)
As a result of the war, the French were driven out of Canada and their territories west of the Appalachian Mountains. (note the map)
While the American colonists were thrilled with the victory and very proud to be part of the British empire – the sentiment would soon change as Britain began to tighten its control of its colonies.
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End of Salutary Neglect (VUS.4c)
The British rarely enforced the Navigation Acts which allowed the colonists to smuggle goods into the colonies (so the colonists liked salutary neglect). Even though the colonists knew they were breaking the law, they came to expect the British to accept bribes and allow it to happen. When the British needed to raise more money to pay for the war, the laws were enforced, and the colonists were VERY upset. <a href='http://americanhistory.about.com/od/americanhistoryterms/g/salutary_neglec.htm' >R -
Proclamation of 1763 (VUS.4c)
The first act that marked a change in the relationship between Britain and the American colonies came with the law that prohibited settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains, a region that was costly for the British to protect.
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Stamp Act - and other wretched taxes (VUS.4c)
British government needed a way to pay for the costly French and Indian War, and they believed that since the American colonies would benefit so much from the victory, the colonists should help pay. New taxes on legal documents known as the “Stamp Act”, as well as taxes on essential items such as tea and sugar, would help pay costs of the war and for troops to protect colonists. Learn More -
The Boston Massacre (VUS.4c)
The Boston Massacre took place when British troops fired on anti-British demonstrators. A small mob of colonists were harassing the guard at a customs house. Eight British soldiers on patrol came to his rescue- but a large crowd had gathered by the time the soldiers entered the street. The crowd was ordered to disperse- they refused, and shots were fired. Five colonists were killed in the "massacre". -
Tea Act (VUS.4c)
The Tea Act ; encouraged by King George III, this was not only a tax on tea (the favorite drink of the British), but it also gave the East India Tea Company a monopoly on the tea trade with the colonies. Colonists were outraged! -
The Boston Tea Party (VUS.4c)
The Boston Tea Party was a strong protest against the tax policies, especially the Tea Act. Several of the Sons of Liberty dressed as Indians, boarded ships from the East India Tea Company, and threw the tea overboard rather than allow it to be sold. While many colonists opposed the Tea Act - Parliament, the King and the Tea Company viewed this as vandalism! -
The Intolerable Acts (VUS.4c)
The British East India Tea Company was very upset with the people of Boston for destroying their tea. In response, Parliament passed what they called "the Coercive Acts"- but to turn into propaganda, the colonists referred to them as "Intolerable Acts". These laws were designed to punish Boston until the tea was paid for.
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1st Continental Congress Meets (VUS.4c)
The First Continental Congress was called, to which all of the colonies except Georgia sent representatives, the first time most of the colonies had acted together to figure out what to do about the Intolerable Acts. They decided to ask for peace with Britain (the Olive Branch Petition), and they agreed to come back the following year... Learn More -
“Give me liberty, or give me death!” (VUS.4c)
Patrick Henry was speaking to the Virginia Convention (the House of Burgesses) hoping to convince them to pass a resolution to raise money and send Virginia Troops to assist in fighting the British.
Later, it would again be Patrick Henry at the urge of the Second Continental Congress, to help persuade the House of Burgesses to propose a resolution declaring independence.
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Battle of Lexington and Concord (VUS.4c)
War began when the “Minutemen” in Massachusetts fought a brief skirmish with British troops at Lexington and Concord. British Soldiers were looking to arrest key revolutionaries, as well as seize a stockpile of weapons. As they marched towards Lexington and Concord, the minutemen attacked, forcing the troops back to Boston! Learn more about the Shot Heard 'Round the World -
2nd Continental Congress Meets (VUS.4c)
As determined at the end of the First Continental Congress, representatives (this time from all 13 colonies) met again at Independence Hall in Philadelphia. They selected George Washington to serve as the commander of the Continental Army – they proclaimed certain laws and found means to financially support a “war effort”. As blood would be shed, and representatives persuaded, talk of independence began.
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Battle of Bunker Hill
The Continental forces had placed canon on the hills overlooking the port of Boston. Under the direction of General Howe, the British forces charged up the hills several times before finally displacing the Continentals. Technically, a British victory – but they had lost so many soldiers in the charges up the hill, that the Continentals felt victorious! Learn More -
Thomas Paine publishes “Common Sense” (VUS.4a)
Thomas Paine was an English immigrant to America who produced a pamphlet known as Common Sense that challenged the rule of the American colonies by the King of England. Common Sense was read and acclaimed by many American colonists during the mid 1700s and contributed to a growing sentiment for independence from England.
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Writing the Declaration begins (VUS.4a)
The writing of the Declaration of Independence was assigned to a committee - though it is agreed that Thomas Jefferson was noted as the primary author. He was greatly influenced by the ideas of Locke and Paine - and included such ideas as; equality of man, inalienable rights, original power residing with the people, and the right to revolt. He even went on to list the grievances identified by Paine in "Common Sense".
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Declaration of Independence is passed (VUS.4a)
Well, technically it was on July 2. At least that is when the colonies unanimously voted to separate from the mother country. Still, we celebrate our independence on the Fourth of July each year, as the date of our nations birth!
Read the Document
