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The British also passed the Quebec Act, which gave Canadians part of the Ohio Valley.  This infuriated the colonists.  In addition, the Act gave the French more freedoms, such as freedom of religion for the Catholic Church.  Colonists were angered because (1) they felt people in Quebec were getting more freedoms than they had and (2) they feared establishment of an Anglican Church in America.

The British also passed the Quebec Act, which gave Canadians part of the Ohio Valley.  This infuriated the colonists.  In addition, the Act gave the French more freedoms, such as freedom of religion for the Catholic Church.  Colonists were angered because (1) they felt people in Quebec were getting more freedoms than they had and (2) they feared establishment of an Anglican Church in America.

Although the Congress had hoped to keep peace, conflict began to break out.

Although the Congress had hoped to keep peace, conflict began to break out.

==The American Revolution==

==The American Revolution==

In <date>, the British commander in charge of America, General [[Thomas Gage]], decided to march by surprise from Boston to Concord to seize a storehouse of rebel guns and ammunition, and maybe arrest some leaders.

The conflict between Britain and her colonies continued for over a decade before America moved for independence.  After all, the British eventually backed down when the colonies resisted.  But Britain did not back down from the Coercive Acts, in spite of strong resistance.  This time, they were determined to bring America into line.

 

The Coercive Acts were aimed squarely at Massachusetts, specifically, Boston.  Britain hoped that Massachusetts would give in if it was isolated from the other colonies.  But the network of organizations that ran throughout the colonies united them, and they stood together.

 

The [[First Continental Congress]] was held in 1774. Every Colony except Georgia agreed to disobey Coercive Acts, withhold taxes, cut trade, and arm their people.  Their agreement is recorded in the Declaration of Rights and Grievances by John Adams.  The Congress also gave Massachusetts instructions on resisting the Coercive Acts, called the Suffolk Resolves.  Massachusetts was prepared to defy the British.  The Congress composed a set of Declarations and Resolves which established the colonies' position toward Britain.  The colonies agreed to end all trade with Britain in a final effort to have her alter her policies.  All of these plans were carried out.

 

Yet the British did not back down.  Colonists were prohibited from presenting petitions and declarations and resolutions to Parliament.  William Pitt's resolution to withdraw British troops from the colonies was defeated 68 to 18.  Parliament officially declared that Massachusetts was in rebellion.

[[Paul Revere]] then went on his famous midnight ride to alert the colonists.  They were ready.  After years of conflict, war finally began.  At Lexington, just 75 colonists faced several hundred British soldiers.  When the British ordered the colonists to disperse, eight colonists were killed and ten were wounded in the ensuing chaos.

 

 

[[Paul Revere]] then went on his famous midnight ride to alert the colonists.  They were ready.  After years of conflict, war finally began.  At Lexington, just 75 colonists faced several hundred British soldiers.  When the British ordered the colonists to disperse, gunfire broke out.  Eight colonists were killed and ten were wounded in the ensuing chaos.  But seventy three British died.

The British troops continued to Concord.  Here a larger number of colonists attacked them and routed them back to Lexington.  Only 93 colonists died in comparison to 275 British soldiers.  The British were narrowly saved by the arrival of reinforcements.

The British troops continued to Concord.  Here a larger number of colonists attacked them and routed them back to Lexington.  Only 93 colonists died in comparison to 275 British soldiers.  The British were narrowly saved by the arrival of reinforcements.

Shortly thereafter, the "Green Mountain Boys" captured Fort Ticonderoga in 1775 because Ethan Allen wanted to protect his land holdings in a disputed area that became Vermont.  

That and other conflicts brought the colonies together in 1775 for The [[Second Continental Congress]].  They realized that hope for peace was foolish now.  It was time to prepare for war.  The Congress instituted paper money and named George Washington head of [[Continental Army]], which he governed during the Revolution.  As a last attempt for peace, they sent the "Olive Branch Petition" (written by Charles Townshend) to the King.  He refused to even receive the petition.  War was inevitable.

That and other conflicts brought the colonies together in 1775 for The [[Second Continental Congress]].  They realized that hope for peace was foolish now.  It was time to prepare for war.  The Congress instituted paper money and named George Washington head of [[Continental Army]], which he governed during the Revolution.  As a last attempt for peace, they sent the "Olive Branch petition" to the King.  He refused to even receive the petition.  War was inevitable.

As the Congress met in Philadelphia, the "Green Mountain Boys" captured Fort Ticonderoga in 1775 because Ethan Allen wanted to protect his land holdings in a disputed area near Lake Champlain.  Today, Lake Champlain is located in the far north of Vermont.

 

In January of 1776 [[Thomas Paine]]’s pamphlet called [[Common Sense]] argued against divine rule and economic reasons to stay with Britain, in plain language.  Often written books or pamphlets were a bigger force than military battles, and this was overwhelming true in this case.  Every literate adult read Common Sense, and Paine’s argument gave countless colonists the courage to realize that separation from Britain was necessary and attainable.  After only three month, 120,000 copies had been sold!

 

Here are some of Paine's words against divine rule: "The heathens paid divine honors to their deceased kings, and the Christian world had improved on the plan by doing the same to their living ones.  How impious is the title of sacred majesty applied to a worm, who in the midst of his splendor is crumbling into dust!"

On July 4, 1776 the Declaration of Independence of Independence was formally announced.  It declares that all men are created equal, having natural inalienable rights.  The colonies’ many grievances against the crown were listed.  It argued that government is a social compact and rebellion is justified when the government break its end of the bargain.  This logic was borrowed from the philosophy of John Locke.  But perhaps the most important part of the Declaration was its frequent invocation of God.  Our nation was founded on God’s providence and truth.     

On July 4, 1776 the Declaration of Independence of Independence was formally announced.  It declares that all men are created equal, having natural inalienable rights.  The colonies’ many grievances against the crown were listed.  It argued that government is a social compact and rebellion is justified when the government break its end of the bargain.  This logic was borrowed from the philosophy of John Locke.  But perhaps the most important part of the Declaration was its frequent invocation of God.  Our nation was founded on God’s providence and truth.     

Still, the colonies had very small troops, especially since one third of the population was loyal to Britain.  Washington’s army was composed of just 18,000 men, less than a third the size of attendance at Giants Stadium.  The British won early battles at [[Bunker Hill]] in Boston, in Canada, and in New York.  The colonies started winning on Christmas Eve in Trenton in 1776, then later at Princeton.   

Still, the colonies had very small troops, especially since one third of the population was loyal to Britain.  Washington’s army was composed of just 18,000 men, less than a third the size of attendance at Giants Stadium.  The British won early battles at [[Bunker Hill]] in Boston, in Canada, and in New York.  The colonies started winning on Christmas Eve in Trenton in 1776, then later at Princeton.   

In 1777, the Continental Congress adopted the Articles of Confederation, although they were not ratified until 1781.  The government they instituted was weak, however with no president or courts, and unanimous approval required to amend them.  Eventually, they were replaced by the Constitution.

In 1777, the Continental Congress adopted the Articles of Confederation, although they were not ratified until 1781.  The government they instituted was weak, however with no president or courts, and unanimous approval required to amend them.  Eventually, they were replaced by the Constitution.