Section+22-4+The+American+Revolution

Key Words:

 * __Declaration of Independence__: Based off of John Locke and Enlightenment, mentioned natural rights, all men equal, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
 * __Check and Balances__: When every branch in government has checking actions on the other two branches. Limits power.
 * __Federal System__: Power divided between national and state governments, keeps a local government and not a strong central government from taking over.
 * __Bill of Rights__: Federalists promised a bill of rights would be added to Constitution, 10 amendments added called Bill of Rights, protected basic rights.

Key People:

 * __Thomas Jefferson__: Wrote Declaration of Independence in July, 1776.

Key Terms:
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 * Briain and Its American Colonies:**
 * 1600 and 1700s, British put colonies on North America, George III became king in 1760 and colonies population much bigger, economy great.
 * Each of the 13 colonies had its own government, people used to certain degree of independence, thought of themselves as more as a part of their state then England but still under British law.
 * 1651: Parliament passed the Navigation Act which made it so colonies could only sell valuable products to Britain and they had to pay high taxes for foriegn goods, helped both colonies and Britain and merchants thrived.
 * Americans Win Independence:**
 * 1754: war started between English and French in North America, French and Indian War, lasted until 1763 and British colonists seized most of French lands.
 * Britain now in huge debt and they expected colonists to help pay off, 1765: Parliament passed the Stamp Act, pay a tax for stamps for wills, deeds, newspapers, etc.
 * Americans mad, violated natural rights, Americans had no representitives in Parliament, no taxation without representation.
 * Growing Hostility Leads to War:**
 * Some wanted to split from Britain, 1773: Boston Tea Party, George III mad and closed Boston's port.
 * 1774: every colony, except Georgia, went to a meeting and formed First Continental Congress, protested, formed Second Continental Congress for next move when ignored.
 * April 19, 1775: gunfire exchanged between British and Americans, 2nd Congress voted to raise an army and go to Battle with George Washington as commander.
 * The Influence of the Enlightenment:**
 * Used Enlightenment ideas and asked for same rights as those in Britain, king refused, so they must rebel because the social contract was broken.
 * Declaration of Independece included king's abuses on colonies to help justify, offical saying that they are separating from Britain.
 * Success for the Colonists:**
 * After DOI, war began, Americans poorly trained against one of the best armies in the world, Americans still won.
 * Reasons Americans won: their motivation stronger, defending homeland, British generals made mistakes, British fighting overseas was both far and expensive.
 * Louis XVI of France helped Americans because Britain was their rival, helped in 1778, in 1781: combined troops captured army commander and he surrendered.
 * Americans Create a Republic:**
 * 13 states came together and made a constituion in 1781, Articles of Confederation, formed a republic, a government ruled through elected representatives.
 * A Weak National Government:**
 * Made loose confederation, states held most power, weak national government, no executive or judicial branches, Congress had one vote from each state and could declare war, make treaties, and coin money, couldn't tax and law making had to have at least 9 states approval.
 * No money coming in, many demanded money owed to them, some states put tariffs on neighboring states and made own money.
 * A New Constitution:**
 * February 1787: allowed a Constitutional Convention to revise articles, 55 delegates held first session on May 25, 1787, statesmen and used Locke, Montesquieu, and Rousseau's theories.
 * Debated for four months on questions and finally made a new system.
 * The Federal System:**
 * Made three separate branches (legislative, executive, and judicial), checks and balances used.
 * The Bill of Rights:**
 * September 17, 1787: made new Constitution, but states had to have 9 approvals, Federalists thought new government was good and balanced, Anti-federalists thought the Constitution gave too much power to central government and wanted a bill of rights.
 * Basic rights (came from Voltaire, Rousseau, and Locke): freedom of speech, press, assembly, and religion.
 * Both documents made thanks to Enlightenment, optimistic view.