World History
Ms. Avar
Point Value:
/5 / / / American Revolution Lecture Notes / KEY

Directions: Follow along with Ms. Avar’s lecture to complete the notes below. If you were absent, make an appointment to see the sample binder and/or view the course webpage.

Britain and Its American Colonies
How were the colonies governed?
1700s: British colonies grew in population and wealth, much trade with Europe
13 colonies basically self-governed
See themselves less and less as British subjects
BUT! Parliament still passed laws to govern colonies…even passed a law to ban trade with any nation other than Britain. /

VS.
/ Americans Win Independence
What caused Britain and America to grow apart?
French and Indian war cost $$$$ - Parliament passed laws to tax colonists.
Colonists became very angry.Had never before paid taxes directly to British govt. They had always paid to their local governments where they had been represented and consented to the taxes.
Believed the British violated their rights!
/ In very BIG LETTERS, write down what this colonist said to the British government in the quotes below:
“ There can be no taxation without representation! ”
/ “We’re angry… now what?”
1765 – Americans boycott (wont buy) British goods
It WORKED! Britain lost too much money in trade.
Result? Parliament repealed the law /

BRITAIN and AMERICA Continue to grow apart.

1776: Colonists announce they are independent of Britain.
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE!
Based on Enlightenment ideas:
•All Men Created Equal
•Life, Liberty, Pursuit of Happiness
Written by Thomas Jefferson. /
Americans FIGHT FOR Independence
1775 – 1781 Revolutionary War
•Colonists: poorly equipped army but home turf and France helps in the end
•Britain: one of most powerful nations in world
WINNER? COLONISTS / AMERICANS
1783 Britain signs a treaty to recognize the independent United States of America /
United States Constitution: Important Ideas Used In Its Creation

Montesquieu / Montesquieu
1. Separation of Powers: System of checks and balances
each branch able to prevent other branch from abusing their power
Executive branch– enforces laws (President)
Legislative branch – makes laws (Congress)
Judicial branch – interprets laws (Courts/Judges) / “Federal System”: power divided between national and state governments.

Locke
2. Power comes from consent of the people
“We the people…” /
Voltaire
3. freedom of
speech & religious tolerance /
Beccaria
4. The accused have rights / No torture /
Rousseau
5. Direct Democracy / Public elections of President and Congress