World History 2

Colonial America
and the
Revolutionary War
Presented By: Briskter
Lumacang
 13 Colonial State
Massachusetts: The Pilgrims, a small group of Puritan separatists, arrived in Plymouth, Massachusetts, in
1620.
New Hampshire: Was established in 1623. Founded By John Mason. Settled by John Wheelwright
Maryland: Given by King Charles I to george Calvert, the first Lord of Baltimore in 1632.
Connecticut: The Connecticut colony was established in 1635. Led by james Hooker.
Rhode Island: The Rhode Island colony was established in 1636. Led by Roger Williams
Delaware: The Delaware colony was established in 1638. Led by Peter Minuit.
North Carolina: The Carolina colony, which stretched south from Virginia to Florida and west to the
Pacific Ocean, was established in 1663. It split into North Carolina and South Carolina in 1729.
South Carolina: South Carolina was established in 1663 as part of the Carolina colony and became a
separate colony in 1729.
New York: In 1664, King Charles II gave the territory between New England and Virginia, much of which
was already occupied by Dutch traders and landowners, to his brother James, the Duke of York. The
English soon absorbed Dutch New Netherland and renamed it New York
 13 Colonial State

New Jersey: The New Jersey colony was established in 1664

Pennsylvania: King Charles II granted Penn William. 1682
 Establishment of the First Colony in Virginia

● Financed by a joint-stock company of London merchants in 1607

● Located at Jamestown, Virginia
● Named after King James I

Initial Challenges and Survival

A. The colonists' expectations and reality

● Hoped to discover gold, silver, or a water route to the Pacific

● Unprepared for the hardships they encountered
● More than half of the original 104 colonists died of starvation or disease during the first winter
● Role of Captain John Smith
● Imposed discipline
● Prevented the Jamestown settlement from disaster
 Establishment of the First Colony in Virginia

Relations with the Powhatan Confederacy

Initial assistance and teaching

Indians provided food during the first hard years

Taught the English how to grow corn, yams, and tobacco

Conflicts and casualties

Many Indians and settlers were killed
Impact on the Indian community
Forced to leave their farms and villages
Moved farther inland as English settlements grew
Prosperity of the Colony
The cultivation of tobacco eventually made the colony prosperous
 Reformers begin the last English colony

Establishment of Georgia as the Last English Colony

● King George II granted land between South Carolina and Spanish Florida to English reformers led by
James Oglethorpe
● Purpose of the colony was to prevent Spanish expansion northward and provide a fresh start for debtors
imprisoned in England
● First settlers arrived in Georgia in 1733, named after King George II
Objectives of the Reformers
● English reformers aimed to create a colony for debtors seeking a new beginning
● Focus on social reform and providing opportunities for those in debt
Transition to a Royal Colony
● Oglethorpe relinquished his charter, and Georgia became a royal colony
● Shift in governance from proprietary to royal control
 Reformers begin the last English colony

Significance of Georgia
● Georgia served as a strategic buffer between South Carolina and Spanish Florida
● Provided a haven for debtors and those seeking a fresh start in the New World
Legacy of Georgia
Oglethorpe's initial vision for the colony and its eventual transition to royal governance shaped the development
of Georgia as an English colony.
 Most blacks in the colonies are slaves

Introduction of African Ancestry in the Colonies

● Arrival of twenty Africans in Virginia in 1619 as indentured servants on a Dutch ship
● Indentured servitude as an agreement to work for a set number of years in exchange for passage to
America
● Initially, both black and white workers served as indentured servants, learning skills and working on
farms or in households
Transition to Lifelong Servitude for Black Workers
● Gradual shift in the terms of service for black indentured servants to longer periods
● Evolution to lifelong servitude for black workers, with their children becoming the property of their
owners by law
● Legalization of enslavement of blacks in all colonies by the end of the seventeenth century
 Most blacks in the colonies are slaves

Contrast with White Indentured Servants

● White indentured servants, like black indentured servants, initially gained freedom at the end of their
terms and could become farmers or laborers
● Distinct change in treatment and rights between white and black workers over time
Impact on African Ancestry in the Colonies
● Shift from indentured servitude to lifelong enslavement for black individuals
● Establishment of legal frameworks that perpetuated the enslavement of blacks in the colonies
Legalization of Slavery
● Enslavement of blacks became legal in all colonies by the late seventeenth century
● Transformation of the status of African individuals in the colonies from indentured servants to enslaved
individuals.
 The black population increases as plantations
spread
Development of Plantation Agriculture in the Southern Colonies
● Plantation agriculture in the southern colonies promoted the growth of slavery
● By 1715, plantation crops for export became significant in the southern colonies' economies
Increase in Black Population and Role of Slavery
● Black slaves from Africa played a crucial role in plantation work
● Black population, predominantly slaves, constituted a significant portion of the southern colonies'
populations
● Percentage of black population in the southern colonies:
Virginia: Approximately 24%
South Carolina: Around 62%
North of Maryland, the percentage of blacks in colonial populations varied:a. New Hampshire: Less than
2%b. New York: Nearly 13%
Impact of Slavery on Population Composition
● Southern colonies relied heavily on black slaves for plantation labor
● Variation in the percentage of black populations across different regions of the colonies
 The black population increases as plantations
spread
Economic Significance of Plantation Agriculture
● Plantation crops grown for export played a vital role in the economy of the southern colonies
● Enslaved black laborers were essential for the success of plantation agriculture
V. Demographic Distribution of Black Population
● Concentration of black populations, primarily slaves, in the southern colonies
● Contrasting percentages of black populations in the southern colonies compared to northern regions.
France Challenges Britain over Colonies

Rivalry between France and Britain in North America

● Conflict between France and Britain in Europe since 1689

● Rivalry extended to colonies and trade in various parts of the world
● Clashes between British and French forces in North America during European wars
● Disputes over boundaries, particularly in the Ohio Valley, as French settlements expanded

The French and Indian War

● Last British-French conflict in North America

● Fought in Canada and on the American frontier
● War concluded in 1763 with a victory for Britain
● Resulted in British expansion of rule over most of eastern North America
France Challenges Britain over Colonies

Impact of the French and Indian War

● British victory solidified their control over North America

● Shift in power dynamics and territorial control in the region
● Marked the end of significant French influence in North America

Consequences for Colonial Relations

● A. Altered landscape of colonial territories and boundaries

● B. Set the stage for future conflicts and tensions between Britain and the colonies
● C. Influence on colonial perceptions of British authority and governance in North America

Significance of British Victory

● A. Establishment of British dominance in North America following the French and Indian War
● B. Consolidation of British control over key territories in the region
● C. Implications for the future development and governance of the British colonies in North America.
Colonists and Indians Clash on the Frontier

Background of Colonist-Indian Conflict

● Many Indians had fought alongside the French against Britain and the colonists due to France's colonial
policies
● Post-war, Indians opposed colonists for encroaching on their lands and British policies in the region
● Settlers moving west displaced Indians from their lands, leading to resentment and opposition

Leadership Under Pontiac

● A. Various Indian groups united under Pontiac, an Ottawa leader, in opposition to colonists
● B. May 1763: Indians raided frontier settlements and captured British forts in the region between the Great
Lakes and the Ohio River
● C. Fierce fighting ensued, with the British ultimately suppressing Pontiac's rebellion in August 1764
 Colonists and Indians Clash on the Frontier

Responses and Policies

● Lord Grenville advocated for British troops to remain stationed in the colonies post-Pontiac's War
● Concerns among Americans regarding the presence of a British army for potential control over the colonists
● Issuance of the Proclamation of 1763 by Grenville, prohibiting settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains
● Purpose of the Proclamation to prevent clashes between colonists and Indians and maintain British control over
the colonies

Colonial Reaction to the Proclamation

● American colonists viewed the Proclamation as interference in their affairs

● Perception of the Proclamation as a means to restrict colonial expansion and maintain British authority
● Growing discontent among colonists towards British policies and restrictions in the colonies.
Britain seeks revenue from the colonies

British Revenue Measures After the French and Indian War

● Costly wars with France led Britain to seek revenue from the American colonies
● Prime Minister Grenville believed the colonies should bear a significant portion of the war costs

Enforcement of Taxation and Anti-Smuggling Measures

● Grenville initiated crackdown on smuggling to increase tax revenues

● Stricter enforcement of laws with British naval patrols to catch smugglers
● Replacement of dishonest officials with stricter enforcers and trials of smugglers by British judges

Revenue-Generating Acts

● Passage of the Sugar Act in 1764 to lower molasses tax and impose new taxes on luxury goods
● Imposition of taxes on imported items like sugar, coffee, and wine
● Introduction of the Quartering Act of 1765 to reduce the cost of stationing troops in North America
● Requirement for colonists to provide housing and supplies for British troops
Britain seeks revenue from the colonies

Implementation of the Stamp Act

● Passage of the Stamp Act in 1765 to tax printed materials, newspapers, pamphlets, legal documents, and
advertisements
● Imposition of taxes on various paper goods and licenses
● Introduction of taxes on playing cards and other printed materials

Colonial Response and Opposition

● Colonists reacted with discontent and resistance to the increased taxation and revenue measures
● Growing opposition to British policies and taxation without colonial representation
● Development of colonial grievances and tensions leading to protests and resistance against British taxatio n.
 The Colonists Protest Grenville's Plan

Colonists' Opposition to Grenville's Program

● Colonists viewed Grenville's program as a violation of British subjects' rights

● Outrage over the Stamp Act as an attempt to increase British revenues rather than regulate trade
● Colonists' belief that only their representative assemblies had the right to tax them

Principle of "Taxation Without Representation"

● Colonists argued that only their own assemblies had the right to tax them
● Assertion that "Taxation without representation" violated English law principles
The Colonists Protest Grenville's Plan

Colonists' Protests and Resistance

● Widespread protests against the Stamp Act in the colonies

● Publication of newspaper articles and pamphlets denouncing the tax
● Colonial assemblies passing resolutions denying Parliament the right to tax the colonies

Stamp Act Congress and Petitions

● Delegates from nine colonies convened in New York for the Stamp Act Congress in 1765
● Challenge to Parliament's authority to tax the colonies for revenue
● Petitions sent to the king and Parliament requesting the repeal of the Stamp Act
The Townshend Acts increase Colonial
Resentment
Passage of the Townshend Acts

● Parliament asserted its right to tax the colonists and passed the Townshend Acts in 1767
● The Townshend Acts imposed new taxes on items like paint, glass, paper, and tea, raising prices of everyday
goods

Colonial Response and Resentment

● Colonists viewed the Townshend Acts as another instance of "taxation without representation"
● Samuel Adams of Boston articulated colonial sentiment, questioning the extent of taxation on trade and
possessions
● Growing discontent among colonists over British taxation policies

Boycotts and Resistance

● Colonists, including merchants and shopkeepers, refused to carry British goods in protest against the
Townshend Acts
● Renewed boycotts of British products as a form of resistance to British taxation and economic policies
 Resentment leads to violence
Tensions Escalate in Boston

● Resentment and anger in Boston towards British policies and presence of soldiers
● Bostonians' dislike of British soldiers in their streets and interactions with British sentries
● Confrontations and fights between soldiers and the people of Boston

The Boston Massacre

● Marc h 1770: British soldiers fired into a crowd in Boston after being taunted and pelted with sticks and
snowballs
● Five colonists killed and several wounded in the incident
● American patriots referred to the event as the Boston Massacre, intensifying tensions
 Resentment leads to violence

Aftermath and Repeal of Townshend Acts

● Parliament repealed most of the Townshend Acts, except for the tax on tea, following the Boston Massacre
● Temporary calmness in the situation after the repeal
● Underlying disagreements between Britain and the colonies remained unresolved

Impact on Colonial-British Relations

● The Boston Massacre deepened animosity and hostility between the colonies and Britain
● Repeal of the Townshend Acts did not fully address the core issues leading to colonial discontent
● Persistent tensions and disagreements between Britain and the colonies despite temporary resolutions.
 The Tea Act renews Colonial Resistance
Introduction of the Tea Act

● The East India Company, a successful trading company in colonial India, acquired a large tea supply to
enhance trade with China
● In 1773, Parliament passed the Tea Act to aid the East India Company's tea sales in America
● American tea merchants resented the new competition, viewing the Tea Act as another form of taxation by
Parliament

Colonial Response to the Tea Act

● Colonists refused to unload the East India Company's tea ships in American ports
● Some colonists, particularly in Boston, took more drastic action by disguising themselves as Indians and
dumping tea chests into Boston Harbor
● The event became known as the "Boston Tea Party”
 The Tea Act renews Colonial Resistance

Reactions to the "Boston Tea Party"

● Some colonists supported the protest as a form of resistance against British taxation and control
● Others criticized the act as criminal, citing the destruction of valuable property and defiance of British law
● Divergent views on the "Boston Tea Party" reflected varying perspectives on colonial protest and resistance

Impact of the "Boston Tea Party"

● The "Boston Tea Party" heightened colonial defiance against British policies and taxation
● Symbolized colonial resistance and opposition to British economic measures
● Exemplified the growing discontent and tensions between the colonies and Britain over taxation and
representation issues.
 Parliament passed the Intolerable Acts

Passage of the Intolerable Acts

● In response to the "Boston Tea Party," Parliament enacted a series of laws known as the Intolerable Acts in
1774
● The Intolerable Acts were punitive measures aimed at disciplining the colonists, particularly the Bostonians

Provisions of the Intolerable Acts

● Closure of the port of Boston to all ships until Massachusetts compensated the East India Company for the
destroyed tea
● Suspension of self-government in Massachusetts, limiting colonial autonomy
● Authorization for royal officials accused of certain crimes to be tried in Britain or other colonies to avoid
biased colonial juries
● Implementation of a new Quartering Act allowing troops to be housed in private homes at the discretion of
commanding officers
 Parliament passed the Intolerable Acts

Impact on Colonial Rights and Autonomy

● Restriction of colonial freedoms and self-governance through the Intolerable Acts

● Stripping of Massachusetts' self-government and imposition of punitive measures on the colony
● Erosion of colonial rights and resistance to British authority

IV. Response and Colonial Opposition

● Colonists viewed the Intolerable Acts as oppressive and unjust

● Heightened tensions between Britain and the colonies over colonial rights and liberties
● Intensification of colonial resistance and unity in response to British punitive actions.
 Colonists meet in a Continental Congress

Establishment of the Continental Congress

● Reaction to the severity of the Intolerable Acts prompted leaders across the colonies to convene and address
their grievances with Britain
● The Continental Congress was held in Philadelphia in 1774, with delegates from twelve colonies in attendance

Objectives and Actions of the Continental Congress

● Protest against the Intolerable Acts and British oppression

● Organization of committees to enforce non-importation agreements and prevent the sale of British goods in the
colonies

British Response and Escalating Tensions

● British government's refusal to accommodate the colonists' demands

● Heightened tensions between Britain and the colonies as military preparations and drills began in the colonies
 Colonists meet in a Continental Congress

Establishment of the Continental Congress

● Reaction to the severity of the Intolerable Acts prompted leaders across the colonies to convene and address
their grievances with Britain
● The Continental Congress was held in Philadelphia in 1774, with delegates from twelve colonies in attendance

Objectives and Actions of the Continental Congress

● Protest against the Intolerable Acts and British oppression

● Organization of committees to enforce non-importation agreements and prevent the sale of British goods in the
colonies

British Response and Escalating Tensions

● British government's refusal to accommodate the colonists' demands

● Heightened tensions between Britain and the colonies as military preparations and drills began in the colonies
 Colonists meet in a Continental Congress

Conflict Erupts at Lexington and Concord

● Disagreements between Britain and the Thirteen Colonies escalated to violence in April 1775
● British troops dispatched to Concord and Lexington to seize weapons and capture colonial leaders
● Militia gathered to resist the British soldiers, resulting in clashes and casualties
● Approximately 350 people killed or wounded in the confrontations

Impact of the Battles

● Significance of the fighting at Lexington and Concord as a turning point in British-colonial relations
● Heightened tensions and realization of further conflict between Britain and the colonies
● Establishment of the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia to address the escalating crisis
 Colonists meet in a Continental Congress

Actions of the Second Continental Congress

● Formation of an army with George Washington appointed as its commander

● Assumption of central government responsibilities for the colonies by the Congress
● Preparation for continued resistance against British oppression and military actions

British Response and Escalation of Hostilities

● King George III's anger towards colonial actions and defiance

● Disregard of petitions from the Continental Congress by King George III
● Imposition of trade restrictions and sending of additional troops to America to suppress the rebellion
● Intensification of the conflict as Britain sought to quell colonial resistance and maintain control.
 The Colonies move toward Independence

Shift Towards Independence

● In the spring of 1775, few Americans initially supported separation from Britain
● Support for independence grew over the following months amid continued fighting and debates among
colonists
● Influence of Thomas Paine's pamphlet "Common Sense" in advocating for independence from Britain

Steps Towards Independence

● Congress declared American ports open to all ships except those from Britain, breaking economic ties
● Appointment of a committee to draft a document justifying the separation from Britain
 The Colonies move toward Independence

Adoption of the Declaration of Independence

● On July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence
● Drafted primarily by Thomas Jefferson, reflecting John Locke's theory of natural rights and Enlightenment
ideals
● Declaration asserted the people's right to overthrow oppressive governments and establish new ones
● Cited King George III's tyranny as the reason for breaking ties with Britain and declaring independence
● Formal proclamation of the United Colonies as Free and Independent States in the Declaration
 The Colonies move toward Independence

Significance of the Declaration

● Symbolized the colonies' definitive break with Britain and assertion of independence
● Established the principles of natural rights and self-governance as foundational to the new American nation
● Marked a pivotal moment in American history and the beginning of the United States as a sovereign nation.
The British surrender at Yorktown

Stalemate and Decisive Victory in 1781

● Despite foreign aid, the Americans struggled to achieve a decisive victory until 1781
● In the spring of 1781, Lord Cornwallis abandoned his campaign in the southern colonies and fortified Y
Virginia
● Cornwallis made a strategic error by isolating his troops at Yorktown on a peninsula in Chesapeake Bay
Siege of Yorktown
● French fleet blocked the mouth of Chesapeake Bay, cutting off Cornwallis from receiving reinforcemen
● Washington's troops, along with a sizable French force, surrounded Cornwallis at Yorktown
● Cornwallis surrendered in October 1781, marking a significant turning point in the war
The British surrender at Yorktown

Conclusion of the War

● Cornwallis's surrender at Yorktown effectively signaled the end of the Revolutionary War
● The decisive victory at Yorktown secured a crucial win for the American forces
● Yorktown victory proved instrumental in securing independence for the United States
Impact of the Surrender
● The surrender at Yorktown marked a turning point in the conflict, leading to the eventual end of the war
● British defeat at Yorktown solidified American resolve and bolstered their position in negotiations for peac
● The Battle of Yorktown is recognized as a pivotal moment that effectively ended the Revolutionary War.
The Treaty of Paris ends the War

Peace negotiations among the United States, Britain.

France, the Netherlands, and Spain took almost two years. The Treaty of Paris, signed in Septem
1783, officially ended the war. By that treaty Britain recognized the independence of its former co
The territory of the United States stretched from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mississippi River, and f
the Great Lakes to Spanish Florida (which Britain had returned to Spain in a separate treaty).
America's leaders decide to write a
Constitution
Constitutional Convention of 1787
● In May 1787, fifty-five delegates gathered in Philadelphia to discuss amending the Articles of
Confederation
● Delegates included prominent figures from various backgrounds, such as farmers, merchants, law
and bankers
● Many delegates had prior political experience at the national and state levels
Decision to Draft a New Constitution
● Delegates realized that amending the Articles of Confederation would not address the nation's
challenges
● Shifted focus to drafting a completely new constitution to address the country's governance issues
● Secret sessions held throughout the summer of 1787 to develop the new constitution
America's leaders decide to write a
Constitution
Structure of the Constitution
● The Constitution established a federal system of government, with power shared between the cen
government and state governments
● Clear delineation of powers between the federal government and state governments in the Constit
● State governments retained authority over their internal affairs under the new constitutional framew
Completion of the Constitution
● Delegates finalized the Constitution by September 1787
● Presentation of the Constitution to the people, outlining the structure of the federal government an
division of powers between the central and state governments
● The Constitution aimed to create a balanced system of governance that preserved state autonomy
establishing a strong central government.
Leaders set up Safeguards to balance
Government Power
Safeguards Against Tyranny in the Constitution
● Founders aimed to establish a central government capable of addressing national issues while
preventing the concentration of power
● Lessons from experiences with royal authority influenced the desire to prevent any individual or gro
from gaining excessive power
II. Federal System and Division of Powers
● Federal system divided power between the federal and state governments as a safeguard against
tyranny
● Inspired by Enlightenment ideas, particularly Montesquieu's principle of the separation of powers
Separation of Powers and Checks and Balances
● Constitution established three separate branches of government: executive, legislative, and judicial
● Adoption of the principle of checks and balances to prevent the dominance of any single branch
● Checks and balances system designed to ensure each branch has the ability to limit the powers of
other branches
Leaders set up Safeguards to balance
Government Power

Importance of Checks and Balances

● Checks and balances system aimed at preventing the abuse of power and maintaining the proper
functioning of government
● Ensuring accountability, oversight, and balance of power among the executive, legislative, and jud
branches
● Implementation of checks and balances as a key safeguard in the Constitution against the concen
of power and tyranny.
The Constitution is Ratified

Ratification Process of the Constitution

● The Constitution required approval from at least nine states before taking effect
● Drafters of the Constitution anticipated strong opposition and uncertainty regarding ratification
● Not all members of the Philadelphia convention agreed on the Constitution's provisions
Anti-Federalist Opposition
● Anti-Federalists believed the Constitution granted excessive power to the federal government
● Concerns that the federal government would infringe on states' rights and individual liberties
● Strong objection to the absence of a bill of rights in the original Constitution
The Constitution is Ratified
Federalist Support and Campaign
● Federalists advocated for the adoption of the Constitution to address the nation's crisis
● Campaign efforts led by Federalists to secure ratification of the Constitution
● James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay published The Federalist essays to explain the
benefits of the new Constitution
● The Federalist essays and the promise of a bill of rights helped garner support for the Constitution
Ratification Process
● New Hampshire's ratification in June 1788 marked the ninth state approval, ensuring the Constitut
implementation
● By 1790, all thirteen states had ratified the Constitution, solidifying its legal status
● Successful ratification of the Constitution through a combination of Federalist advocacy, public sup
and the promise of a bill of rights.
The Bill of Rights is Adopted

The newly elected Congress met in 1789, and one of its first acts was to draw up ten amendments to the
Constitution. These were to be a Bill of Rights, guaranteeing Americans freedom of religion, of speech, of
assembly, and of the press. It also assured them of trial by jury, protection from cruel and unusual
punishments, and other basic liberties. The tenth amendment answered the fears of many Americans abo
federal power. It stated that the powers not given to the federal government by the Constitution were reta
by the states or by the people.
American political freedom becomes a model
for other nations

With the ratification of the Constitution and the adoption of the Bill of Rights, the success of the American
nation was assured. Americans had won their independence and, equally important, they had created a la
government of their own. The founders of the nation constructed a government that has met the test of tim
and upheld high standards of individual liberty. Their success inspired people around the world to work to
the establishment of liberty in their own countries.
THANK YOU