10.

4
Colonial Empires
and the American
Revolution
8. Enlightenment ideas on
the relationship of the
individual and the
government influenced the
American Revolution,
French Revolution and
Latin American wars for
independence.
 Colonial Empires in Latin
America
Brazil-Portugal came to
dominate
Spain-established an
enormous colonial empire
in North, South and
Central America.
New Civilization
arose called Latin
America
multiracial
society.
 crash course: spanish empire
 Colonial Empires in Latin
America

Mestizos-
European and
Native American
offspring.
Slaves-8
million
Africans
Mulattoes-
offspring of
Africans and
Europeans.
 Economic Foundations
Portuguese and
Spanish sought
ways to profit from
their colonies.
Gold and
silver
Farming proved
to be a longer
lasting reward.
Large Landowner-
immense estates
Native Americans either
worked on estates or
worked as poor farmers.
 Economic Foundations
Trade was
another avenue
of profit
Sugar,tobacco,
diamonds,
animal hides
Spain and
Portugal closely
regulated trade.
 State and Church
Travel between
Americas and
Europe made it
difficult to regulate
the colonies.
Colonial officials in
Latin America had
much freedom in
carrying out imperial
policies.
Spain and Portugal
were determined to
Christianize the
native peoples.
 State and Church
Catholic Church
had an important
role to play.
Missionaries-
Dominicans,
Franciscans
Jesuits-
fanned out to different parts
of the Spanish Empire.
Church built
Cathedrals,
hospitals,
orphanages
schools.
 Britain and British North
America
United Kingdom-1707- came into
existence. England and Scotland
united.
18th Century-British
Monarch and Parliament
shared power;
Parliament eventually
gained the upper-hand.
Monarch chose
ministers-
responsible to
the crown.
 Great Britain
 Britain and British North
America
Set policies and guided
Parliament.
Parliament
Made laws-
levied taxes
passed the budget
indirectly influenced ministers of
monarch.
1714 Hanoverians-
new dynasty
established when last
Stuart (Queen Anne
died.
 Britain and British North
America
George I and II did not
know British system very
well.
Chief Ministers were
allowed to handle
parliament.
 Robert Walpole
Head of Cabinet 1721-1742
Pursued a peaceful foreign
policy
Growing middle class favored
expansion of trade.
 Colonies were supposedly run by
British Board of Trade
Royal Council
Parliament.
Colonies had legislatures that
tended to act independently.
The American Revolution
Britishleaders needed new
revenue after Seven Years
War.
Revenues to cover war costs
and maintain standing army
in North America.
1765
Parliament
imposed the
Stamp Act.
Actrequired certain
printed materials
legal documents,
newspapers carry a
stamp tax.
Opposition was
widespread and
often violent
The American Revolution
Act was repealed in
1766.
Cause of dispute was
not resolved.
 Crash Course: American Revolution
 The War Begins
Fightingerupted at
Lexington and
Concord between
Colonists and
Britain.
Second Continental Congress
1. Formed an army
2. George Washington
commander
3. Decision made for
independence.
Declaration of Independence
July4, 1776
Based on ideas of John Locke
Declared colonies
independent
American Revolution had
formally begun.
 Foreign Support and British
Defeat
Support from foreign
countries important
Feb. 1778-following a British
defeat. French granted US
diplomatic recognition to
the American state.
Spain and Dutch Republic also
enter the war against Great
Britain.
Yorktown-General Cornwallis
forced to surrender to
American and French forces.
 Treaty of Paris 1783
Recognized the independence
of the American colonies.
Granted Americans control of
western territory from
Appalachians to the
Mississippi River.
The Birth of a New Nation
Articlesof
Confederation-US first
constitution- did not
provide a strong
government.
Became clear that
the government
lacked the power to
deal with new
nations problems.
 The Constitution
Federal
System-power
would be shared
between the national
government and state
governments.
 National
Power to levy taxes
raise an army,
regulate trade,
create a national currency.
Dividedinto three
branches-each with
the power to check
the workings of
others.
 Executive Branch
Power to execute laws
Veto legislatures acts
Supervise foreign affairs
Direct military forces.
 Legislative Branch
Consisted of two-houses.
Senate-member elected by
state legislatures.
House of Representatives-
were elected directly by the
people.
 Judicial Branch
Courtswould enforce
the Constitution as the
Supreme Law of the
Land
 The Bill of Rights
Guaranteed.

1. Freedom of speech, press, religion,

assembly, petition.
2. Right to bear arms.
3. Protection against unreasonable search
and seizures.
4. Guaranteed trail by jury, due process
of law, protection of property rights.
 The Bill of Rights
Many of Bill of Rights were
derived from Natural
Rights.
American Revolution seen
as embodiment of
enlightenment ideals.
 Crash Course: Articles and Constitution