Say You Want a Revolution?

VUS. 4

What would YOU do?

Before we begin, what is a school policy you find ridiculous? Why? How would you begin to change this policy given your THOUGHTFUL motivation to change this policy? Independently, write out your thoughts to the school board, to have this policy changed.

History of Political Thought …

An Enlightened Fellow John Locke and self-government▪ All People are free, equal, and have “natural

rights” of life, liberty and property that cannot be taken by rulers▪ All original power resides in the people, and

they agree to enter a “social contract” to form government to protect their rights▪ Because of this, the people promise to obey

the laws and rules by their government. This is called “ordered liberty”.

History of Political Thought II…

Locke continues…▪ Government’s powers are limited to those the

people agree to give to it. Whenever government threatens the people’s natural rights, it breaks the contract and the people may overthrow or alter the government.

The Declaration of Independence

Thomas Jefferson of Virginia will author the Declaration of Independence.

He wrote, “That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.”

“Whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or abolish it and to institute new Government.”

Take a look…

‘We hold these truths to be self evident that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”

“Man... hath by nature a power.... to preserve his property - that is, his life, liberty, and estate - against the injuries and attempts of other men.”

Paine-fully Common

Thomas Paine and Common Sense Author of a pamphlet Common Sense Read and acclaimed by many American

colonists during the mid-1700s.

Jefferson Writes

He then went on to detail many grievances against the King of England that Paine had already written in Common Sense

So Thinking Plus Action…

The French and Indians will form an alliance to remove the colonists from their colonies and prevent their further growth.

The French will be driven out of Canada and their territories west of the Appalachian Mountains.

This war will last from 1754-1763 and cause some headaches for the colonists…and King George III.

Join, or Die.

Ben Franklin publishes a famous cartoon portraying the colonies as a disjointed snake.

In order to be protected, Franklin argued, the colonies must unite or be destroyed.

Retribution of War

The Proclamation of 1763 Prohibits settlement

west of the Appalachian Mountains, a region that was costly for the British to protect

Buildup to Another War

A series of British Parliament Acts will soon follow: 1764: The Sugar Act 1765: The Stamp Act ▪ Every newspaper, pamphlet, and other public

and legal document had to have a Stamp, or British seal, on it.

1767: The Townshend Acts▪ Imposed duties on glass, lead, paints, paper

and tea imported into the colonies.

Patrick Henry (Not the High School)

Given to the Virginia House of Burgesses

“If this be treason….Give me liberty or give me death!”

Resistance Mobilized

The Boston Massacre 5 March 1770 Five unarmed

colonists will be killed and this will put a spark to an open powder keg.

The Boston Indians?

The Sons of Liberty will dress as Native Americans and sneak onto ships and toss the tea into the Boston Harbor.

A Continental Divide

Patriots Believed in complete independence from Britain Inspired by Locke and Paine and Patrick Henry’s

famous words Provided troops for the American army

Loyalists (Tories) Remained loyal to Britain because of cultural and

economic ties Believed taxation was justified to pay British troops

Neutrals Those who wished to avoid war altogether

Continental Congress Part 1

The First Continental Congress will be called and all colonies except for Georgia will be represented.

Nothing will come of this except for a victory of spirit-the first colonial show of unity-and they agree they’ll meet again.

Lexington and Concord

The British advance of Gen. Gage moving towards the munitions depot in Lexington will be the first sparks of war.

With the approaching British, Paul Revere, William, Dawes, and Dr. Samuel Prescott will ride to warn the Continentals.

The first battle began when the ‘minutemen’ in Massachusetts fought a brief skirmish with the British at Lexington and Concord.

Continental Congress Part II

The Second Continental Congress will convene three weeks after Lexington and Concord.

George Washington is selected commander of the army.

Assignment: Page 62-63

Read 6 primary source documents Answer Questions 1-4

Decision to Declare

Following the successful Battle of Bunker Hill, where the militia was able to inflict 1,000 casualties on the British and Gen. Gage was replaced by Gen. Howe. It ends in a draw, but morale booster.

Seeing this victory, the Continental Congress will seek one final attempt at peace with the British through the Olive Branch Petition.

George says NO!

A Declaration for Independence What are the Key Principles of the

document? Political Participation (equality)▪ Upholding due process of law▪ Providing free public education

Social Participation (liberty)▪ Abolishing slavery▪ Extending civil rights to women and other groups

Economic Participation▪ Promoting economic opportunity▪ Protecting property rights

Take a Look…

Pages 74-75 in your book What it Means

The Preamble Natural Rights List of Grievances

Course of War

Battles in the North The summer of ‘76 will be fraught with

peril as New York will become a battlefield over and over.

Washington will retreat from New York, and barely escape but for the grace of God.

Washington is forced into retreat in October of 1776 .

In December, Washington will use strategy in surprising the British at Trenton on Christmas.

Course of War Cont.

In 1777, Philadelphia will fall and the hope of the Colonists will appear dire.

Nearly 2,500 men will die at the Valley Forge during the winter because of inadequate food supplies.

Saratoga in New York will be a major victory to supply much needed confidence to the Colonies.

Course of War

Battles in the South Savannah and Charles Town both fall to

the British. Kings Mountain Men▪ 7 October 1780 Turning point in the South

Yorktown, April 1781

Colonies Victorious!

Why were they able to win? Diplomatic▪ Benjamin Franklin negotiated a Treaty of

Alliance with France▪ The war did not have popular support in

Great Britain Military▪ George Washington avoided any situation

that threatened the complete destruction of his army.▪ Americans benefited from the presence of the

French army and navy at Yorktown

Why Did Britain Lose?

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