America: A Citizen's Guide to Democracy Inaction Chapter Summary & Analysis - Chapter 2, The Founding of America Summary

Chapter 2, The Founding of America Summary and Analysis

In 1492, Columbus discovered America, although this is highly debated among many historians. In 1620, the first colonies were established. Although Roanoke and Jamestown were settled first, they were technically not the first colonies because they were not successful. In 1776 on July fourth the colonists signed the Declaration of Independence, declaring themselves independent of England. Prior to the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the British signed into law the Tea Act which raised the tariff on tea to an unaffordable price. The colonists were unhappy with this new Act and in protest, they threw thousands of pounds of tea into the harbor. The colonists wanted to fight for their freedom but needed a document that wrote down exactly why they wanted their freedom and would entice people to fight. They hired Thomas Jefferson, a young marketing executive who wrote the Declaration of Independence.

When Independence was won, the...
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