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“Birth of a Democratic Nation”. American Ideals vs. British Control. For almost 100 years, American colonial governments enjoyed relative “self -government” from Britain. In 1760, King George III takes the throne and demands more control over America. King George III (1760 – 1820).
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American Ideals vs. British Control • For almost 100 years, American colonial governments enjoyed relative “self -government” from Britain. • In 1760, King George III takes the throne and demands more control over America
“Mercantilism” • “Mercantilism” is an economic theory popular in the 16th-19th century, it prioritizing domestic manufacturing, in order to reduce dependence on foreign countries. • To enforce this idea, countries would place high tariffs on imported goods, and low/no taxes on finished exported goods. • Mercantilism also promotes expanding production through colonizing new land, which was done by Britain in the Americas.
“Mercantilism” • King George wanted to adopt the idea of “mercantilism” in Great Britain. • This meant controlling the trade of the colonies, forcing them to send finished goods to Britain rather than trading with foreign markets.
“Mercantilism” • Britain wanted to get as much wealth out of the American colonies as possible. • The colonies were a source of cheap, raw materials and revenue (via taxes). • Colonists were upset at the mercantilist control over their production
“French & Indian War” • The “French & Indian War” (1754-1763) made things worse. • The war was extremely expensive for the British government • Parliament demanded that the colonies help pay for the war and increased taxesin America to raise revenue (money)
“Stamp Act”(1765) • The first significant tax was collected through the“Stamp Act” of 1765. • This act required expensive tax stamps on all newspapers and legal documents
“No Taxation Without Representation” • American colonists resented these new taxes by the British. • Since they had no representationin the British Parliament, they felt they should not have to raise revenue for the King (by paying taxes) • Their slogan no taxation without representation!Embodied this! (taxation without representation is tyranny)
American Boycotts • In protest, many Americans began to “boycott” or refuse to buy British goods. • As a result pressure from British Merchants in the colonies, the British government “repealed” or cancelled the act.
“Townshend Acts” (1767) • The new “Townshend Act” of 1767 replaced other British taxes. • This act allowed taxes to be levied on basic goods imported to the colonies from Great Britain (glass, tea, paper, etc.) • Once again the colonists would boycott.
“Tea Act” (1773) • The “Tea Act” followed, allowing the British East India Company to bypass colonial government tax requirements. • It lowered taxes on British tea --which made merchants have to buy British tea over other tea. • American merchants were outraged and decided to act….
“Coercive” (“Intolerable”) Acts • To respond to the “Boston Tea Party”, the British Parliament created the “Coercive Acts”. • Called the “Intolerable Acts” by America, these acts restricted colonial rights!!
First Continental Congress (1774) • In 1774, 12 of the 13 (not Georgia) American colonies sent “delegates” or representatives to Philadelphia to express their concerns with Britain’s new taxes. • This meeting was called the First Continental Congress.
Continental Congress • The Continental Congress sent a letter called the Olive Branch Petition to King George demanding the rights of the colonists be restored. • All agreed to meet again within a year if the king did not agree.
King George’s Response In April 1775, the battle of Lexington and Concord begin the American Revolutionary War. “the shot heard around the world!”
Second Continental Congress (1775) • During the second meeting, called the Second Continental Congress, delegates were split and argued over the best solution. • Some delegates wanted independence while others wanted to remain loyal. • Many did NOT want independence, fearing they could not win a war with Britain.
Thomas Paine & “Common Sense” • In his pamphlet, Paine argued in 1776 that it was only “Common Sense” for America to break ties with Great Britain. He stated that there was a “social contract” between the people and the government” and that the government had broken the contract. He said that King George was a “royal brute” and America had every right to sever ties. Analyzing Activity - “To bring the matter to one point, Is the power who is jealous of our prosperity, a proper power to govern us? Whoever says, No, to this question, is an independent, for independency means no more than this, whether we shall make our own law, or, whether the king, the greatest enemy which this continent hath, or can have, shall tell us there shall be no laws but such as I like.”What concept is this quote describing?
Second Continental Congress (1776) • After many months of debate, more than half of the delegates agreed to declare independence from Great Britain. • The writings of Paine and the idea of social contract were very influential. • They decided to write a Declaration of Independence
“Declaration of Independence” • Thomas Jefferson , the main author – he detailed the colonies’ reasons for breaking away with Great Britain. • Jefferson claimed that the king did not look after the interests/ rights of the colonies anymore. • Listed all of the grievances, or complaints, that the colonists had towards the crown.
“Declaration of Independence” • Thomas Jeffersonwas also influenced by the ideas of John Locke & Baron de Montesquieu • Locke believed in natural law & social contract. • Natural Law means that you are born with certain rights not granted by the government. • “natural rights” that because we are human we are guarantee by the Heavens (God)…life, liberty and property– Jefferson would change this slightly • “social contract” – that people have a contract with their government and the gov’t should protect it’s people. (“Locked into a contract”) • Baron de Montesquieu (“3 Names, 3 Words, 3 Branches”) • Separation of Powers – each branch of government is responsible for specific powers.
