Causes and Effects of the American Revolution

Aim: Understanding the causes and effects of the American Revolution.
Do Now Discussion: Mention of the Proclamation of 1763 and remembrance of key events such as Valley Forge and taxation due to the French and Indian War debt.

Mercantilism: Britain practiced mercantilism which mandated that the colonies exist for the benefit of the mother country.
Unfair Taxes and Policies: Various taxes were imposed on the colonies without representation, leading to widespread discontent.
Influence of Thomas Paine's Common Sense: Paine's pamphlet advocated for independence, influencing colonial sentiment.
Colonial Responses:
- Boycotting British Goods: Such as the Boston Tea Party, where colonists protested by dumping tea into Boston Harbor.
- Violence Escalation: Events like the Boston Massacre highlight the rising tensions between colonists and British troops.
Political Cartoon Analysis: A cartoon illustrated the exploitation of colonists by the British, showing the unfairness of their relationship.

Declaration of Independence: Written by Thomas Jefferson, outlining rebellion reasons and asserting natural rights: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.
Formation of a New Nation: The 13 colonies united to form the United States of America.
Articles of Confederation: Initially adopted as the governing document establishing a weak federal government with limited powers (no taxing authority, no standing army).
Power Distribution Concerns: Fear regarding strong central government leading to tyranny.
Shays’ Rebellion: This event highlighted the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and the need for a stronger federal government.

Evidence Analysis: Observations on the reactions of the populace and states to Shays’ Rebellion.
Potential Reactions: Possibility of implementing stronger governance to prevent future uprisings.

Structural Weaknesses: No ability to tax, raise an army, control trade, or enforce laws.
- Shays’ Rebellion: Showed inability to manage civil unrest.
Comparison to the Constitution: The shift to a stronger federal system and distinctions in taxation, representation, and governance powers.

Legislative Branch: Congress (Senate + House of Representatives) tasked with law creation and budget approval.
Executive Branch: Led by the President who executes laws and commands armed forces.
Judicial Branch: Supreme Court interprets laws and ensures they comply with the Constitution.

Purpose: Each branch of government has specific powers to curb the others, preventing any branch from becoming too powerful.

Definition: Division of powers between national and state governments, ensuring local governance alongside federal authority.

Clarity on functions: Legislative creates laws, Executive enforces laws, and Judicial reviews laws.

Transition from state-controlled power to federal oversight illustrated through the Constitutional Convention and resulting tension leading to the new Constitution.
Compromises Made: The Great Compromise establishing a bicameral legislature balancing the needs of populous and less populous states.

Federalists vs. Antifederalists: The split between those advocating for a strong central government (Federalists) and those fearing loss of state power and liberties (Antifederalists). Key arguments highlighted in support of and opposition to ratification.

Formation: Ratified in 1791, the first ten amendments which protect individual freedoms against federal abuse of power.
Key Protections: Including freedom of speech, the right to bear arms, protection against unreasonable search and seizures, and rights of the accused.

Contributions by John Locke, Baron de Montesquieu, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau spurred revolutionary thinking on government roles, balancing power, and social contracts.

The evolution from the Articles of Confederation to the Constitution shaped governmental structure, underlying principles of democracy, and individual rights that still influence modern governance.