Why did the British colonists begin to come to America?
In the 1600's they were looking for a better way of life.
What did the colonists want to remain loyal to?
The colonists wanted to remain loyal to the Royal Crown of England, the king and queen, but wanted to govern their colonies in America.
Were the colonists able to pass laws and elect leaders?
Yes, the colonists were able to elect leaders and pass laws, but England had the final say in most matters.
What happened in the Ohio Valley in the 1740's?
In the 1740's, the French with the aid of friendly Indian tribes fought colonists over land in the Ohio Valley. England sent troops (Red Coats) to america to help the colonists defeat the French and Indians. The French and Indians were defeated.
Why did the British decide to keep troops in America?
The British did not think the colonists could take care of themselves and they were afraid that the colonists were becoming too independent, so they were going to let the soldiers keep them "in line."
How were the British going to pay for keeping the soldiers in America?
To pay for the expense of keeping the British troops in america, the British government imposed taxes on the colonists. An example of this was the Stamp Act. The Stamp Act placed a tax on anyitem that had a British stamp on it.
What were the colonists upset about in the 1700's?
The colonists were upset over both the troops in America and the taxes.
Where and why did colonists meet in the summer of 1776?
In the summer of 1776, a committee of colonists met in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to write a letter to the British government.
What was the letter called that was written in the summer of 1776?
The letter became known as the Declaration of Independence.
What did the Declaration of Independence state?
The Declaration of Independence stated that the colonists wanted to be independent of British rule and to govern their lives.
When was the Declaration of Independence ratified?
The Declaration of Independence was ratified by the colonies on July 2, 1776, but was not officially dated until July 4, 1776.