American Revolution

What was the seven year’s war

It was a war from 1756-1763 where conflicts were being made across Europe, North America, Central America, West African coast, India and the Philippines.

Succession Issues

Charles VI, died and Austria needed an heir. Maria Theresa decided to step up and become a female heir. There was confusion going around about how a female was ruling, and King Fredrick of Prussia took advantage eventually leading to him conquering sillesia.

French and Indian war

Conflicts with Britain and France lasted longer, wanting colonial dominance. Britain eventually took the win in North America.

Proclamation Act

At the end of the 7 year war, the King decided to set a boundary where the Appalachian mountains were forbidding colonists to trade with outsiders to keep colonists under control as well as the debt from the French and Indian war.

Mercantilism

When they forced colonists to only trade with Britain

Salutary neglect

Britain had strict rules and said colonies could only trade with Britain. But enforcing these rules could be expensive. So Britain basically said as long as you keep sending us raw materials and buying stuff from us, we will look the other way and let you bend the rules.

John Locke

John Locke was an influential scientific revolutionist who highly inspired the asking of the Declaration of Independence. He presented natural rights and believed that humans were good and the purpose of government was to protect people’s natural rights.

Natural Rights

Life, Liberty, and pursuit of happiness. These rights are automatically given to you when you are born and the government can't take it away.

Montesquieu

He believed in separation of powers, and an example of that is of today. Judicial, legislative, and executive. Checks and balances help those three branches avoid too much power.

Who introduced the resolution saying that colonies should be independent?

Richard Henry Lee

Thomas Jefferson

Main author of the DOI

Boycott

When colonists stopped buying goods Britain taxed

Sons of Liberty

A group of people who protested British taxes and policies

Boston Massacre

Confrontation in which British soldiers killed 5 colonists in Boston.

Other causes of Revolution

Lack of representation, British restrictions, and violations of colonial rights.

Rousseau

An enlightenment thinkers who argued that government should be based on an agreement with the people

Social Contract

An agreement in which people accept government in exchange for protection of their rights and the common good.

DOI

A document that declares separation from the 13 colonies and Britain saying multiple grievances and their natural rights

King George III

The British King during the revolution who colonists blame for the bad policies.

No taxation without representation

The principle that Britain should not tax colonists without their elected representative having a say.

Federalism

A system dividing power between the national government and state governments.

U.S. Constitution

The supreme law of the United States that establishes the government and defines its powers

Executive branch

Executes laws

Legislative Branch

Creates laws

Judicial Branch

Judges/ interprets laws

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the Constitution, protecting indivisual rights and freedoms

Enlightenment Influence on Founding Documents

Enlightenment ideas influenced the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights. Natural rights influenced the Declaration, separation powers influenced the Constitution, and individual liberties influenced the Bill of Rights.

1607- Founding of Jamestown

The first permanent Engish settlement in North America was established in Virginia.

1610- Galileo Publishes The Starry messenger

Galileo’s scientific observations helped challenge traditional views of the universe.

1690- John Locke Publishes Two Treatises of Government

Locke explains natural rights and argues that government depends on the consent of the governed.

1692- Salem Witch Trials

Trials that ed to accusations and executions of people accused of witchcraft

1740- War of Austrian Succession Begins

European conflict over who should inherit the Austrian throne

1756- Seven Year war begins

A major conflict involving Britain and France in Europe and North America

Rousseau Publishes The Social Contract

He argues that legitimate government should be based on the will of the people.

1863-1755 British Taxes and Acts

Britain introduced taxes and restrictions that angered colonists resulting in Revolution, like the Boston massacre and Boston tea party.

1775- Shot heard round the wrold

Fight at Lexington and Concord marked the beginning of the American Revolutionary War.

1776 Declaration of Independence

The colonies formally declared independence from Britain.

1781-1789 Articles of Confederation

The Treaty of Paris officially recognized American independence

1787 US constitution Signed

Delegates signed the Constituion establishing a stronger federal government