The American Journey © 2012

Chapter 5: The Spirit of Independence

Chapter Overviews

Section 1: Taxation Without Representation

After the French and Indian War, Great Britain passed laws that prohibited colonists from moving west, and issued new taxes to raise needed funds. Colonists, who believed only their own representatives had the right to tax them, resented laws such as the Stamp Act, and formed protest groups such as the Sons and Daughters of Liberty, and organized boycotts of British goods.

Section 2: Building Colonial Unity

Tensions between British soldiers and townspeople grew in 1770 and led to the Boston Massacre, in which British redcoats fired and killed five colonists. Colonial leader Samuel Adams urged people to express their grievances against Britain in writings that committees of correspondence circulated throughout the colonies.

In 1773, the Tea Act allowed the British East India Company to ship tea to the colonies without paying most of the taxes. Now at a disadvantage, colonial merchants called for a new boycott. Enraged, the Boston Sons of Liberty threw chests of tea off British ships in what has become known as the Boston Tea Party. King George III tried to punish the people of Massachusetts with the harsh Coercive Acts that closed Boston Harbor and took away colonists’ rights.

Section 3: A Call to Arms

Colonial leaders met in Philadelphia to discuss their opposition to British policy. The Continental Congress, as they called their organization, called on people to arm themselves and form militias to fight the growing British army.

One night in 1775, as redcoats left Boston for Concord, colonial minutemen were able to give advance warning to militias along the way. The first conflicts were in Lexington and Concord, followed by others, including the Battle of Bunker Hill. Although the number of Patriot militias grew, many Americans remained loyal to Great Britain and opposed the Patriot’s rebellion.

Section 4: Moving Toward Independence

A Second Continental Congress created the Continental Army and chose George Washington as the commander. The Congress also sent the Olive Branch Petition to King George III as a last chance to avoid war. The petition was refused. In March 1776, Washington’s troops forced the redcoats out of Boston. The British forces retreated into Canada. Many Americans wanted independence from Britain, but not everyone agreed. While Congressional delegates debated the issue, a committee drafted a Declaration of Independence. Congress approved a final version of this document on July 4, 1776.

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