The British Empire and American War of Independence

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  • The British Empire
    • Expansion of the Empire
      • 1600: East India Company created. First traded with just India but then extended.
      • 1607: Settlement of Virginia. Colony network in West Indies.
      • 1700s: Britain biggest slave traders in the world.
      • 1763: Treaty of Paris- Britain gains huge colonies inc. Canada and Florida.
      • 1770: Captain Cook claims New South Wales, Australia.
      • 1775: The British lose 13 American colonies in War of Independence
      • 1793-1815: Britain gains French colonies following war.
      • 1858: Britain takes direct control of India. East India Company ended.
      • 1876: Britain receives the rest of Canada through treaties.
      • 1899-1902: British empire extends over the rest of Australia.
    • Motivations
      • During the 1600s and 1700s Britain's main motivation was trade. More foreign land was economically beneficial.
      • During the 1800s, Britain continued to expand its empire. Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli persuaded the government to buy shares in the Suez Canal.
    • The Appeal of the New World
      • Britain hoped that the New World (America) would provide vital trade routes to East Asia.
      • America provided the opportunity for new resources including tea, cotton and corn. It was very commercially appealing.
      • The British began travelling to America in the 1600s to establish colonies. The British would bring local people under their rule and claim local resources.
      • Virginia was the first colony founded in 1607 by a private company hoping to make money from trade.
      • Puritans founded many other colonies as they were escaping religious persecution in Europe. Massachusett-s was one of these colonies.
      • Once colonisation had begun, lower classes began travelling to America in search of a better life.
    • Expansion Through War
      • 1756-1763: The 7 Years War. European powers fought to gain control of more colonies.
      • 1763 Britain signed the Treaty of Paris with France and Spain and gained colonies that weren't originally theirs.
      • Britain gained Louisiana, east of the Mississippi, territories in Canada and the islands of Tobago, Dominica, St Vincent and the Grenadines from France.
      • From Spain, Britain gained Florida.
    • Life in the Colonies
      • Until the 1760s, colonies in the new World were largely left alone ad Britain was too busy in Europe.
      • Settlers had established democratic town meetings, trial by jury and operated their own fleets.
      • The 7 Years War cost Britain a lot of money protecting America so they believed the people of America should contribute more to its own protection.
      • Britain started to heavily tax the colonies. The 1765 Stamp tax and 1767 Townshend Acts were very unpopular with the Americans and were heavily protested.
      • Britain began controlling imports and exports and suggested that American exports could only be sent to British ports.
      • The Tea Act in 1773 created protest. It gave the East India Company a deal importing tea to America- undercutting other companies. American patriots dumped tea in the sea in protest. This was known as the Boston tea Party.
    • American War of Independence
      • In 1774, representative-s from 12 of Britain's 13 colonies formed the First Continental Congress.
      • The Congress wrote to King George III saying they had no right to control and tax them in this way and they would stop imports and exports to Britain if things did not change.
      • George III rejected the Congress' complaints and in 1775 the War of Independence began.
      • May 1775: 2nd Continental Congress. Stay loyal to Britain but build a Continental Army. Olive Branch Petition rejected by George III
      • July 1776: Congress agrees the Declaration of Independence.  They are now fighting for Independence from Britain. America finds allies in France, Spain and Holland.
      • October 1781: America and France capture over 7000 British soldiers at the Siege of Yorktown. Britain agrees to negotiate for peace.
      • September 1783: treaty of Paris signed. The 13 colonies of America are an independent nation.

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