LESSON XII

BEGINNING OF THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR

England ruled over thirteen colonies in America. She refused to allow the colonies to have any independent rights of their own. She thought of them only as a source of gain.

She passed laws called the "Navigation Acts." These laws were very unjust, and favored the British traders.

The colonies could trade only with Great Britain. They were not permitted to use their own ships. Instead they must use British ships.

Raw materials, such as iron ore, could not be manufactured in this country. They must be shipped to Great Britain for manufacture.

Grain and other products could not be shipped out of the country.

England also attempted to raise money by taxing the colonies. This money was to help pay for her war with France.

The colonies were also to pay for a standing army, which Great Britain decided to keep in America.

The colonists were not represented in Parliament. Therefore, they could see no reason why England should levy taxes on them.

They refused to pay the taxes. This made the British. king very angry. He sent soldiers to America to force the colonies into obedience.

Still the colonies refused to obey.

One of the articles taxed by England was tea. Several shiploads had been sent to America, but the colonists refused to buy the tea and much of it was carried back to England.

A shipload of tea lay in Boston harbor. One night fifty men dressed as Indians and threw the whole cargo of tea overboard into the

met

sea.

This is known as the Boston Tea Party.

In order to punish the people of Boston, England now made a law that no trade could be carried on at that port until the tea was paid for.

The colonists would not submit to this tyranny. They sympathized with Boston and decided to come to her relief.

In 1774, the First Continental Congress, made up of representatives of

twelve colonies, met in Philadelphia to discuss their griev

ances.

They declared their rights, and they petitioned England to treat them justly.

Matters became no better, however, and the following year war was begun between England and America.

in the battle

The first real fighting occurred on April 19, 1775, at the battle of Lexington and Concord in Massachusetts.

The British tried to capture some military stores at Concord. But the colonists were prepared for them when they arrived.

Paul Revere and other patriots had ridden on horseback all night, going to each village and town, warning the people of the coming of the British.

When the British reached Lexington the American "Minute Men" met them there. In the fight which followed eight Americans were killed. Only one or two of the British were wounded.

At Concord the British destroyed the few military stores which had not been removed by the colonists.

In the meantime the Minute Men were gathering on the

hills about the town. In a large body they attacked the British at Concord bridge and drove them back.

Fighting began in earnest when the British started to return to Boston.

From behind every hill, stone wall, and house the farmers shot at the soldiers. Many of the British were killed, and the march was turned to flight.

The Minute Men who had driven the British to Boston did not return home. They camped in a great circle around the city.

They were joined by men from all over New England, who hurried to Boston to defend the American cause.

When the Second Continental Congress met (May 10, 1775), preparations were made for the war which had already begun.

Troops from Pennsylvania and Maryland joined those in New England. They were called the Continental Army, and George Washington was made its commanderin-chief.

The next important battle was fought at Bunker Hill, Boston. After two attempts the British took the hill, but the colonists showed by their bravery that they could fight for their rights.

For months the fighting centered around Boston, until on March 17, 1776, the British were forced to leave the city. Washington took possession, and the British never recaptured Boston.

Questions and Topics for Discussion.

How did England regard her colonies in America?
What unjust laws did she pass?

Describe the Navigation Acts.

In what other way did she attempt to raise money?

How did the colonists regard taxation without representation?
What did the colonists do?

What was the Boston Tea Party?

How did England punish Boston? What was the result?

Did matters improve? When was war declared?

Where did the first real fighting take place?

Describe the battle of Lexington and Concord.

Who was Paul Revere? What did he do?

What was our army called? Who was the commander-in-chief? Tell about the battle of Bunker Hill.

LESSON XIII

THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

Up to this time the Americans had been fighting for their rights as British subjects.

They had not yet thought of independence. But as England showed no signs of giving them fair treatment, the colonists began to feel that they could be satisfied with nothing less than independence.

The last straw was the news that the English king had hired Hessian (German) soldiers and was sending them to fight the Americans.

One by one the colonists sent word to their delegates in Congress to work for independence.

On July 2, 1776, Congress voted that, "these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states."

Two days later, on July 4, Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence.