King George III

Today we watched the movie Johnny Tremain....and learned about King George III.

C. was most impressed that King George had 15 children! Other things we learned:
**He was only 12 years old when his father died and he went from being plain, old George, to George, Prince of Wales.
**He became King at age 22 but refused to be crowned until he found a queen. He married 16-year old Princess Charlotte of Mecklenburg
**He wanted to be a good king so he had the following rules:
1. Kings should be thin, so he tried not to eat too much
2. Kings should be moral--so he issued a royal proclamation against the use of bad language.
3. Kings should not break their promises.
4. King should have heirs (hence the 15 children)
5. Kings should be orderly--everything had a place, and a time. He was never late!
6. Kings should be careful with money.
7. Kings should be firm.

It was the last two rules that got him in trouble with the American colonies. England was in debt from the French and Indian War. The King needed to raise money and decided to tax the Americans without asking them. King George III was upset when the Americans revolted against the taxes. All of this led to the start of the Revolutionary War.

If King George had tried a different tactic--simply asking Americans to help--the war might never have started.