Lesson 6: Closer to War
The Intolerable Acts were passed.
Representatives from the Colonies met to protest the Intolerable Acts. First Continental Congress
1774
Theme of the First Continental Congress Textbook Activity Alternate Text Activity The Intolerable Acts were passed.
The meeting was called the Plans for a boycott First Continental were made. Congress.
Representatives from the Colonies met to protest the Intolerable Acts.
A Declaration of A Continental Rights was Association was written. It included formed to enforce a list of grievances the boycott.
Resolution Resolved, That they are entitled to life, liberty and property: and they have never [given up] . . . a right to dispose of either without their consent.
Resolved, That the foundation of English liberty, and of all free government, is a right in the people to participate in their legislative council:…
Resolved, That they have a right peaceably to assemble, consider of their grievances, and petition the king; and that all prosecutions, prohibitory proclamations, and commitments for the same, are illegal. Keeping track of Political Ideas Declaration of Resolves
1st Amendment
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. Writing Plan for First Continental Congress Simulation
Your Task: Pretend you are a representative at the First Continental Congress. Write a short three-sentence statement describing your feelings and ideas.
First Sentence: Describe how you feel about Parliament and the King:
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Second Sentence: Describe a grievance, or complaint, you have:
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Third Sentence: Support your other two sentences with a core democratic value or political idea:
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Patrick Henry Speech ( delivered in the House of Burgesses)
They tell us, sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house? Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction? …Sir, we are not weak if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature hath placed in our power. The millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force, which our enemy can send against us. …The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides, sir, we have no election. If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest. There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come.
It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!
EVENT YEAR WHAT HAPPENED? REACTION
British were angry and demanded
payment for the tea. Colonists tossed tea into Boston Harbor 1773
as a protest of the Tea Act British passed new laws. Party
Boston Tea Tea Boston British blockaded Boston Harbor
The British passed four new laws as punishment for the Boston Tea Party. Colonists decided to meet to protest: The British closed Boston Harbor until 1774 First Continental Congress colonists paid for the money lost when the tea was dumped in the harbor. Some colonists got weapons
Intolerable Acts Intolerable New Quartering Act
Representatives from all colonies Britain sent more soldiers to the except Georgia met in Philadelphia. colonies. 1774
First They wrote Declaration of Rights
Britain decided to arrest some colonial Congress
Continental Continental leaders. They planned a boycott of British goods
ACTION
• Britain sends more soldiers.
• British arrest some colonial leaders. In Massachusetts, colonists had responded to the Intolerable Acts by organizing special militia units called the “Minutemen.” These were special members of the militia that were supposed to be “ready in a minute” to defend Massachusetts.
General Gage learned that these Massachusetts militiamen were storing arms and ammunition in Concord about 20 miles northwest of Boston. He also learned that Sam Adams and John Hancock, two strong patriot leaders, were in Lexington.
Sam Adams and John Hancock
Militia storing arms British General Gage:
Destroy the military supplies.
Arrest Adams and Hancock Important People on the Road to Revolution
Person Important Information
John Adams Patriot leader who defended British soldiers in a trial after the Boston Massacre.
John Hancock Patriot leader who was wanted by the British along with Samuel Adams.
. Battles of Lexington and Concord
April, 1775
EVENT YEAR WHAT HAPPENED? REACTION
British were angry and demanded
payment for the tea. Colonists tossed tea into Boston Harbor 1773
as a protest of the Tea Act British passed new laws. Party
Boston Tea Tea Boston British blockaded Boston Harbor
The British passed four new laws as punishment for the Boston Tea Party. Colonists decided to meet to protest: The British closed Boston Harbor until 1774 First Continental Congress colonists paid for the money lost when the tea was dumped in the harbor. Some colonists got weapons
Intolerable Acts Intolerable New Quartering Act
Representatives from all colonies Britain sent more soldiers to the except Georgia met in Philadelphia. colonies. 1774
First They wrote Declaration of Rights
Britain decided to arrest some colonial Congress
Continental Continental leaders. They planned a boycott of British goods
The colonists stored gunpowder at
Concord, Massachusetts and the British
decided to get it. 1775 The Revolutionary War officially began.
British and colonial soldiers met at Concord
Battles of of Battles Lexington for a battle. Lexingtonand Another battle occurred at Concord. The Intolerable Acts were passed.
The meeting was called the Plans for a boycott First Continental were made. Congress.
Representatives from the Colonies met to protest the Intolerable Acts.
A Declaration of A Continental Rights was Association was written. formed.
The first battles of the American Revolution took place. The Revolutionary War had begun!
Corners
Had you been a newspaper reporter in the Colonies, which event would you have most liked to write about?
The Repeal of The Battles of the Stamp Lexington and Act Concord.
Boston The Boston Massacre Tea Party