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Colonial Development. The Road to Independence & our First National Government. Different Countries – Different Reasons. Different countries came to the New World for different reasons: France – Fur trade Spanish – the 3 G’s English – Freedom
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Colonial Development The Road to Independence & our First National Government
Different Countries – Different Reasons • Different countries came to the New World for different reasons: • France – Fur trade • Spanish – the 3 G’s • English – Freedom • Why would the reason for settlement make a difference in colonists staying or leaving?
Colonial Development • When the English colonist arrived in North America, they found the land presented them with dangers as well as opportunities. • It was the dangers that pushed the colonies towards unity but only independence would successfully unite all 13 colonies. • What particular danger made unity a must? • Indian attacks
What finally successfully united all thirteen colonies? Independence
The 13 Original Colonies • Connecticut • Delaware • Georgia • Maryland • Massachusetts • New Hampshire • New Jersey • New York • North Carolina • Pennsylvania • South Carolina • Rhode Island • Virginia
Reasons of Seeking Independence • There was a physical and political distance. • Physical distance – the colonies were separated from Great Britain by an ocean – they were 3,000 miles apart. • Political distance – since the very first permanent settlement (150 years earlier), the colonies had ruled themselves. • In 1760, the British throne was passed to George III. He agreed with British Parliament that the colonies had become too independent. • The Seven Year’s War had plunged Britain into debt. These war debts had to be paid and Britain saw the colonies as a way of repaying them. The British began passing several trade restrictions & taxes on the colonists.
Colonist Were Angry for Two Reasons • Taxes • Trade Restrictions • Both were passed without any colonial representatives in British Parliament
First Continental Congress • Began September 5, 1774 in Philadelphia at Independence Hall • Delegates from all colonies except Georgia met to discuss the problems with Great Britain. This Meeting Did 3 Things: • It called for a boycott of all British goods. • Boycott – an agreement to stop buying or using goods or services. • They wrote a list of grievances to King George III • They planned to meet again if the King did not meet their demands.
Second Continental Congress • Began May 10, 1775 in Philadelphia at Independence Hall • Nearly all delegates were in favor of independence • Appointed a committee of five to write the Declaration of Independence. • It was approved by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776
Declaration of Independence A Committee of Five: • Thomas Jefferson – major author • John Adams • Roger Sherman • Robert Livingston • Ben Franklin Components of the Declaration of Independence • Lists the reasons the colonies were seeking independence • Statement of American ideals – purpose of government is to protect our natural rights • Mapped out the kind of government the delegates wanted.
Our First National Government • The Founding Fathers realized that the 13 colonies needed a document that outlined how government should operate (constitution). • The Articles of Confederation became our first national government. • It passed the 2nd Continental Congress on March 1, 1781.
The End to a Long War & The Beginning of a Great Nation • The last battle of the American Revolution was the Battle of Yorktown – October 19, 1781. • The official end was not until September 3, 1789 when the Treaty of Paris was signed.
