Grade 7B : American Revolution Part 1 (Tuesday, 5 May 2009)

Summary
The American continent discovered by Columbus.

It was gradually colonized. By 1733, there were 13 colonies. The British government allowed its colonies to elect their local assemblies and make laws.

Being heavily in debt after the Seven Years’ War, England began to tighten economic control of the American colonies.

The English began to treat the American colonies as sources of raw materials for British industries and as markets for their goods. This angered the colonist.

The American refused to pay taxes because they were not represented in Parliament. Eventually war broke out.

The Americans won and formed an independent nation.

The new nation had to deal with many economic and territorial problems. All these showed that a stronger union was needed.

In 1787, the American Constitution was drawn up, creating a republic with a strong central government.

TIME LINE
The British began to colonize America 1606
13 British colonies were established along the Atlantic coast 1733

COLONIAL RULE
Seven Years’ War 1756-1763
Sugar Act 1764
Stamp Act, Stamp Act Congress 1765
Townshend Acts 1767
Boston Massacre 1770
Tea Act, Boston Tea Party 1773
Intolerable Acts, First Continental Congress 1774

AMERICAN WAR OF INDEPENDENCE
Battle of Lexington, Second Continental Congress
Declaration of Independence 1776
British troops surrendered in Yorktown 1781
A confederation was set up under the Articles of Confederation 1781

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Treaty of Paris
The American Constitution was drawn up 1787
End of Summary


THE ENGLISH IN AMERICA
The 13 Colonies
Columbus found America

British colonized it in 1606 when group of English set up a plantation in Virginia

By 1773 there were 13 British colonies in America along the Atlantic coast
The colonists, who were mainly English, totalled one and half million. There were also Irish, Scottish, Dutch, German, Swedish and other settlements in these colonies.

The 13 British Colonies in America by 1773 :
Massachusetts
New Hamsphire
New York
Connecticut
Rhode Island
Pennsylvania
New Jersey
Maryland
Delaware
Virginia
North Carolina
South Carolina
Georgia

British policy on the American Colonies.
At first The Bristish Government did not control the colonies strictly
In each colony, there was a governor sent from London by appointment.

The colonists elected a local assembly to help and advise the governor in making decisions. The laws were passed in the assembly and sent to british parliament for approval. (the colonists enjoyed the freedom of autonomy and sense of independence)

Britain wanted to increase its national income so Britain treat its colonies as sources of raw materials and as markets for British goods.

In the early 18th century, British Parliament passed laws to control trade in the American colonies and it became strict in 1763 when Britain wanted to raise more money from the colonies