American FederalismTimeline—Government

Pre-Revolutionary War1760s—With Great Britain’s victory over France

in the French and Indian War, King George III issues a series of Acts intended to tax colonists to pay off debt from the warSugar ActStamp ActTownshend Acts

Colonists react by trying to petition Parliament to repeal the Acts

Then, they begin to protest or boycott goods that are taxed such as paper goods (Stamp Act)

Boston Tea Party1770s—Parliament issues a tax on tea (The Tea

Act)Colonist resistance culminates in Boston with the

Sons of Liberty boarding an East India Company ship and destroying all of its shipments of tea

Many colonists believed that they lacked legal representation in the British Parliament: “No taxation without representation”

Intolerable ActsNamed Coercive Acts issued by British Parliament

to stop colonial protests and restore order after the Boston Tea Party

Purpose: to punish colonists, those specifically in Mass. for destroying the tea and money wasted

Colonist Reaction: violation of British Constitutional rights and natural rights

Effects: Boston’s port was closedLimited governmental activities in Mass.Allowed accused royal officials to move trial locations Allowed the governor to quarter British soldiers in

unoccupied buildings

First Continental Congress (1774)

Intolerable Acts were intended to isolate radicals like the Sons of Liberty; It backfired and created sympathies from other colonies for Mass.

12 of 13 colonies’ representatives (No Georgia) met in Philadelphia to discuss issues with British rule

Results: They decided to boycott British products

(Continental Association) to reverse the Intolerable Acts

Also pledged support and aid for Mass. if attacked

Battles at Lexington & Concord (1775)

Officially recognized as the start of the American Revolutionary War

All colonies (not Georgia) became involved because of the Continental Association

Second Continental Congress

Reconvening of the first members to take on the war effort

Voted to create a Continental Army with George Washington as its commander

Olive Branch PetitionDelegate, Thomas Jefferson, drafted a petition to

British Parliament to reconcile with King George IIIRe-written by delegate, John Dickinson, stating

that they wanted to avoid war and create new trade and taxation terms to alleviate tension with the British….not independence

A letter from John Adams, another delegate suggested discontent with the petition and stated war with Britain was inevitable

Petition was rejected on grounds that it was insincere (because of Adams’ letter)

Second Continental Congress

No legal authority to govern as central government of the colonies

Wasn’t able to move forward with independence without authorization from each colony

The Road to IndependenceVirginia called for an official declaration of

independence, formation of foreign alliances, and confederation of states

International pressure to form alliances abroad meant finding a way to prove the Continental Congress credible and independent = Declaration of Independence & Articles of Confederation

Declaration of Independence (1776)

A statement issued by Continental Congress to the world stating and explaining that the United States of America is independence

Drafted by Thomas Jefferson and companyIncluded the colonial grievances of King George

to justify independence and the right to revolution

The Revolutionary War (1775-1783)

War began between the 13 Colonies & Great Britain

After persuading France to intervene on the side of the colonies, the sides were then evenly matched

SPOILER: The Americans win! Results in recognition of American Independence

by European powers (Old World)

Articles of ConfederationAn agreement made between the 13 colonies

that created a system of government, a confederation, and acted as the country’s first constitution

Drafted by Continental Congress around 1776-1777

Ratified by all states in 1781