The Struggle for Independence The Connecticut Adventure

The Struggle for Independence The Connecticut Adventure – Chapter 5

Early Signs of Trouble • The colonists helped England fight against France and American Indians during the French and Indian War. • The war was expensive and England wanted the colonists to help pay for it. • The Sugar Act was passed, which taxed sugar and molasses. The colonists were angry that they had to pay.

Loyalists and Patriots • Not all colonists wanted to break away from England. • Loyalists were loyal to the king and wanted to stay with England. • Patriots wanted independence from England helped to fight against the British.

Stamp Act • The British made colonists pay for special paper. The paper was used for everything, so the colonists had to pay. • Colonists were not allowed to send representatives to vote in Parliament in England. • Colonists felt they shouldn’t be taxed since they couldn’t vote. • “No taxation without representation!”

Boston Tea Party • Colonists were angry about the tea tax. • After an argument at the customs house in Boston, British soldiers fired their guns and killed five men (known as the Boston Massacre). • In Boston, colonists dressed up like American Indians and dumped British tea into the harbor.

Sons of Liberty • The Sons of Liberty were secret group that protested the British taxation of the colonists.

Jonathan Trumbull • Governor of Connecticut • Nicknamed “Brother Jonathan” • Helped George Washington’s army by sending food, supplies, and troops

George Washington • General George Washington was the leader of the colonial army

Thomas Jefferson • Wrote the Declaration of Independence • On July 4, 1776, delegates from all 13 colonies signed the Declaration

Nathan Hale • A schoolteacher • Became a spy for the colonists • Caught by British and hanged • “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country. ” • Connecticut state hero!

Israel Putnam • Member of the Sons of Liberty • Helped the starving people of Boston after the Tea Party by bringing sheep to feed them

David Bushnell • An inventor • Studied at Yale • Created the first submarine ever used in battle • It was called the TURTLE because of its look in the water

Benedict Arnold • Captain Benedict Arnold from Norwich was a hero early in the war • He captured British forts and led brave attacks • He was put in charge of a fort in New York where he became friends with a British leader • The British offered Arnold a lot of money if he turned over the fort and he did! • This made him a traitor!

The Revolutionary War • Started in 1775 • Was also called the War of Independence • Began as a war between Britain and the thirteen colonies • Colonists were upset about the taxes imposed by the British. • They thought the taxes were unfair.

The War Continues • The colonists formed the Continental Congress. • The colonists boycotted taxed British tea which lead to the Boston Tea Party. • The British responded by ending self government in Massachusetts and putting the colony under the control of the British army.

An End to the war • The colonies and Britain could not reach a compromise. • The colonies declared their independence from Britain on July 4, 1776. • Other countries including France also went to war with Britain. • The war ended in 1783.

Connecticut’s Part in the War • Connecticut was nicknamed the Provisions State because it gave so many supplies to the war effort. • Connecticut sent food, clothing, gun powder, weapons and troops. • Connecticut farmers even gave their livestock to feed hungry soldiers.

Slaves in the War • Some slaves fought in the Revolutionary War. • As a reward many were freed after the war. • Even though they were free, they did not have the same rights as white men.

Let’s Review • Why were the colonists angry with the British? • Who was the leader of the colonial army? • Who is our state hero? • Who were the Sons of Liberty? • Explain the difference between loyalists and patriots.

Let’s Review • What reward do slaves get for fighting in the war? • What supplies did CT provide for the Revolutionary War? • What nickname was CT given for the supplies that they sent? • Who was the governor of CT? • What was the “American Turtle”?