American Independence Day

July 4 th
,

1776
July 4th, 1776 The original
thirteen colonies
New Hampshire

Massachusettes
declare their
New York independence
Connecticut
Rhode from King
Island
Pennsylvania New George III and
Jersey
Maryland
Delaware
Great Britain.
Virginia

North
Carolina

South
Carolina
Georgia
Why Independence?
Britain was in debt because
it was at war for many years with
France.

Britain wanted to pay off

the debt quickly.

Britain decided to tax the American

colonists but not
allow them to vote.
The Boston Tea Party
Britain’s tax on tea made
the colonists angry.

In Boston, colonists
dumped the tea into the
sea and refused to buy
English tea. This was
called the Boston Tea
Party.
 Patrick
Henry
“Is life so
dear, or peace so
sweet, as to
be be purchased
at the price of
chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God!
I know not what course others may take; but
as for me, give me liberty or give me death!”
 Revolutionary War
• The Boston Tea Party made Britain very angry.
• Britain sent troops to Boston and fighting broke
out between the colonists and Britain.
Revolutionary War
• The Americans lost
many battles and many
men died.
• After seven years
Washington defeated the
British at Yorktown with
the help of France.
The United States of America
• In 1781 the
first republic
in the entire world
was
now free and
independent.
Independence Celebrations
Today Independence
Day is celebrated
with parades,
patriotic songs,
picnics, barbecues,
and lots of fireworks.
BOSTON POPS
Happy Fourth of July