Associated Readings Declaration of Independence

Option A

Lexile: 1020
Word Count: 421
Vocabulary: taxis, unalienable, coercive, taxation, colonist, porcelain, continent, quest, punish, pursuit

 

The French and Indian War (1754-1763)

This part of the American story begins with the French and Indian War, a conflict that set the stage for the American colonies’ quest for independence.

France and Britain struggled for control over the lands of central North America. The colonists joined the British. Native American tribes and colonists chose sides and joined in battles across the continent.

The war ended and Britain had won, gaining huge areas of land in what is now Canada and the central United States. However, success came at a high cost.

The Stamp Act and Townsend Act

Following the French and Indian War, Britain was in debt. They spent a lot of money during the war, so the British sought to increase taxes on the American colonies. These new taxes were considered necessary by the British. They believed Americans should share in some of the cost of protecting the colonies.

The Stamp Act was a tax on all paper goods in the colonies passed in 1765. A short time later, the Townsend Acts were passed by the British Parliament in 1767. It taxed goods like British porcelain, glass, lead, paint, paper and tea imported to the colonies. Americans were not used to paying taxes without giving permission and pushed back against the British attempts to collect money.

What the British saw as the Americans paying their “fair share”, the Americans saw as “taxation without representation.” They argued that they had no representative in British parliament and could not be.

 

Coercive Acts and Colonial Response

In 1773, with a tax still on tea, a group of colonists dumped a load of tea into Boston Harbor in Massachusetts, this came to be known as the Boston Tea Party. After this, the British government passed the Coercive Acts (1774). They were designed to punish Massachusetts by closing Boston Harbor and placing the city under British control. The Americans called these the Intolerable Acts because they were so terrible for them. Some Americans now supported a total separation from Britain.

 

The Call for Independence

During the spring of 1776, the Second Continental Congress met and debated independence. On July 4, 1776, Congress signed the Declaration. We still celebrate this day as Independence Day.

The Declaration of Independence stated that all humans are created equal with unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The new nation, the United States, now had to defend itself in a war against the most powerful country in the world to secure its independence.

 

Option B

Lexile: 730
Word Count: 394
Vocabulary: taxes, coercive, ceramic, playing, settler, dice, costly, continent, punish, cancel

 

The French and Indian War (1754-1763)

This part of the American story begins after the French and Indian War. It was a fight that prepared the American areas to seek independence.

France and Britain were the main fighters. They struggled for control over North America’s big lands. American settlers helped the British. Native American tribes chose sides. Battles spread across the continent.

As the war ended in 1763, Britain had the upper hand. Under the Treaty of Paris, Britain gained lots of land in Canada and central United States. But this victory was costly.

 

The Stamp Act and Townsend Act

Britain was in debt after the war. They raised taxes on Americans to pay for the war. Americans had to help cover the costs.

A tax on paper goods was created in 1765. It included magazines, legal papers, newspapers, playing cards, and dice. Americans strongly opposed this tax. Britain cancelled the law because so many opposed it. It also passed a law saying it could choose to tax Americans if they wanted to in the future.

In 1767, Britain taxed goods like ceramics, glass, lead, paint, paper, and tea. Americans did not buy these taxed goods. Except for tea, the tax was cancelled.

Britain thought Americans were paying their fair share. Americans saw it differently. They said, “We have no vote in British Parliament. So, we can’t be taxed without agreeing.”

 

Coercive Acts and Area Response

In 1773, settlers dumped tea into Boston Harbor. This was the Boston Tea Party. Britain punished Massachusetts in 1774. They closed Boston Harbor and took control of Boston.

In 1774, the First Continental Congress met. They demanded their right to life, liberty, and property.

In January 1776, a writer named Thomas Paine wrote “Common Sense.” It explained the desire for independence. Paine said many people should participate in government, not just one king.

The Call for Independence

In spring 1776, the Second Continental Congress discussed independence. On May 10, they supported independence. They wanted areas to govern themselves, not a king. On July 4, 1776, they accepted the Declaration of Independence. We celebrate this day as Independence Day.

The Declaration said all people are created equal. They have rights to life, liberty, and happiness. They said people should govern themselves. They listed complaints against King George III. These included political, economic, and army issues. Independence was seen as necessary. The new nation, the United States, would defend its liberty against a strong opponent.