Do Now

• Please get out your Revolution Comparison Chart.

• We will discuss the chart and begin our group analysis of the US Bill of Rights.

American Revolution (1763-1789)

What was the government before the revolution?• The American colonies were colonies of England. This meant

that they were under English law and the rule of King George III.

• As a result of the Glorious Revolution, the government in England was a constitutional monarchy (the king and the parliament share power).

American Revolution

What was the problem?• The high cost of the Seven Years’ War (French and Indian War in America) led to an

increase in taxes on the colonies.

• Britain began to enforce trade restrictions

• Parliament passed a series of new taxes, each of which was met with protest and resistance from the colonists.

1764 – Sugar Act 1767 – Townshend Acts1765 – Stamp Act1773 – Tea Act1766 – Declaratory Act 1774 – Intolerable Acts

• Through all of this, the colonists complained that Parliament and King George III were violating their rights under the English Bill of Rights by taxing them without their consent (no taxation without representation).

• As the complaints and resistance increased, King George III exercised and abused his authority by sending British troops to try and control the outraged colonists.

American Revolution

So what happened? • Boston Massacre of 1770• Boston Tea Party of 1773• April 19, 1775. The first shot of the American Revolution.

American Revolution

Result of the Revolution• With the Declaration of Independence and American

victory, the independence of the United States of America is recognized by the British.

• A democratic republic is formed with the drafting of the Constitution and the US Bill of Rights.

• The Constitution states the duties and responsibilities of the different branches of government (executive, legislative, judicial) and the rights of the people.

Declaration of Independence (July 4, 1776)

• Let’s take a look at the document.• In your groups discuss and complete the

questions about the document.• Discuss and choose 5 grievances that your group

feels were most important in causing the revolution. Circle the number of each grievance you chose.

• Now out of those 5 choose 3. Put a check mark next to the three you chose. Be ready to discuss your reasoning to the class.

US Bill of Rights (1791)

• Let’s take a look at the document.• In your groups, discuss and rank each of the amendments

by importance. The most important being 1 and the least important being 10. Number each amendment.

• Now out of those 10 choose 3 amendments that you think are the most important. Put a star next to each one.

• Now out of those 3 choose 1 amendment. Circle that amendment.

• What similarities do you see in this document that you saw in the English Bill of Rights? Write the letter “S” next to amendments that are similar to the English Bill of Rights articles. (You can get out your English Bill of Rights copy if you need.)

Revolution Comparison Chart

• What was the American Revolution’s influence on individual liberty and self-government?

• Americans are all held to a rule by law, and no one is above the law.

• America is a democratic republic where people elect representatives to represent them.

• Americans have rights that allow them to free speech, religion, and trial by jury. (Amendment I, VI)

Essential Unit Questions Notes

• Take out your Essential Unit Question Notes• What can we put down for the following

questions based on what we just learned from the American Revolution?1. Why do political revolutions occur?2. When does change become progress?