APUSH UNIT II: REVOLUTIONARY AMERICA MR. FAEH
1.
1713-1763: Colonies saw reduced govt interevention in colonial affairs
2.
Whig prime minister, Robert Walpole , had enlightened view that if colonies left alone to run own affairs with minimal interference, they would produce more wealth and commerce, prosper, and cause less trouble
3.
Britain provide peace, protection, commerce, ensure law and order, and send more immigrants to America to increase numbers of customers.
4.
Britain focused on major wars in Europe
5.
Colonies left to raise, equip, train, own militia for whatever protection it believed was needed against the Indians.
6.
In effect, colonies left alone; had to develop self-reliance; effective organization
1.
Smuggling became rampant as British policy less vigilant than in 17 th cent. a.
Royal Officials: governors, customs collectors, naval officers—many not able or intelligent b.
Appt. come as result of bribery or favoritism c.
Many stay in England & hire substitute/deputy d.
Deputies then tempted by bribes = wave duties on goods for merchants e.
Honest officials also tempted, as they want to get along with neighbors
2.
American manufacturing increased despite British policies to protect Br. Manufacturers
3.
Cost of American goods increased making merchants wealthy
1.
13 separate colonial governments emerged ; often undercut authority of Parliament a.
Legislation subject to veto by Gov. or Privy Council, but assemblies control budget/pay of Gov. & and repass laws in altered form b.
By 1750s, claimed right to levy taxes, make appropriations, approve appointments, & pass laws in own colony
2.
Local govt much more responsive to local needs
3.
Americans became used to regulating their own affairs without significant interference
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APUSH UNIT II: REVOLUTIONARY AMERICA MR. FAEH
1. King William’s War (1689-1697, War of the League of Augsburg) & Queen Anne’s War
(1701-1713, War of Spanish Succession) a.
British colonials fought French coureurs de bois and Indian allies (except Mohawks of the Iroquois confederacy b.
Treaty of Utrecht (1713) ended colonial wars for nearly three decades i.
England received Acadia (Nova Scotia), Newfoundland & Hudson Bay ii.
French St. Lawrence settlements thus surrounded by British holdings c. Beginning of Salutary Neglect
2. King George’s War (1740-1748, War of Austrian Succession, War of Jenkins Ear) a. started over friction due to smuggling rights in Panama between England & Spain b. Fought in the Caribbean Sea and the buffer colony of Georgia c. Spain again allied with France against Britain d. New Englanders again invaded New France and took the strategically important city of
Louisbourg commanding the approaches of St. Lawrence River e. Peace Treaty of 1748 i. England gave Louisbourg back to the French in order to help negotiations for a cease fire in the European war ii. British colonists were furious ; felt vulnerable from the North
1. Ohio Valley a. British were pushing west into it; wary of French influence in N.A. b. French needed to retain it to ling Canadian holdings with the lower Mississippi valley and Caribbean
2. Washington’s Mission (Battle near Ft. Duquesne, May 1754) a. Lt. Col. George Washington sent by Virginia Lt. gov. to forks of Ohio River to prevent
French from building fort there; homed instead to build a British fort b. Washington defeated and forced to surrender his entire command but allowed to leave with his army intact c. In effect, Washington triggered a world war
3. Albany Congress a. Board of Trade called leaders from all the colonies to meet in Albany to discuss Indian problem and meet with Iroquois b. British sought to make Iroquois allies; gave many gifts including guns c. Iroquois refused to commit themselves to the British d. Long-range purpose; greater colonial unity; strong defense against France
4. Albany Plan for Union a. Benjamin Franklin created plan for colonial home rule: dealt with defense and
Indian affairs i. adopted by dlegates ii. individual colonies rejected it; not enough independence iii.
British rejected it; too much independence c.
Franklin’s cartoon: “join or die”
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APUSH UNIT II: REVOLUTIONARY AMERICA MR. FAEH
5. Course of War a. Braddock i. defeated a few miles from Fort Duquesne by smaller Fr. & Indian forces b. Pitt (“The Great Commoner”) i. became leader of British govt. ii. very popular among the British people; his success in the war ledt to Ft.
Duquesne being renamed Pittsburgh iii. Startegy: focus on France in North America in order to win the war d.
Quebec i.
Pitt appointed James Wolfe to take Quebec ii.
British successful on the Plains of Abraham but Wolfe & French commander de Montcalm were killed iii.
One of the most significant battles in British & American history
6. Peace of Paris a. In effect, France was removed from North America b. Technically, land west of Mississippi River still French but not yet settled c. Great Britian emerged as the dominant power in North America and as the leading naval power in the world
7. Consequences of War a. Colonies emerge from war with increased confidence in their military strength b. Colonies = military leaders angry that American promotions limited in British army c. Colonies feel British not so invincible; not impressed w/ Brit troops & leadership d. British upset that American shippers traded with enemy ports of Sp. & Fr. W. Indies e. British upset colonials refused to supply troops: saw economic gain as more important than loyalty to Britain = commit troops later when Pitt offered reimburse colonies
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APUSH UNIT II: REVOLUTIONARY AMERICA MR. FAEH
1.
British in debt funding wars and military = during wars and after
2.
Debate over land expansion and control; demand to open territories for expansion
1. American westward colonial expansion increased significantly after the war
2. French barrier west of the Appalachians was removed
3. Spanish and Indian threats removed in many areas
4. Settlers no longer as dependent on British protection in the frontier
1. Indians in Ohio Valley region angered at British treatment of Indians during the last years of the French and Indian War
2. Chief Pontiac , the Ottowa chief in northern Michigan, refused to surrender his lands to the
British although France (their ally in the war) had lost and were now gone
3. Chief Pontiac led an alliance of Ottowas, Senecas, Delawares, and Shawnees against whites in the Ohio Valley and Great Lakes region in 1763 i. 9 of 11 British forts taken (Pittsburgh & Detroit remained); several wiped out ii. Perhaps 2,000 lives lost during first 6 mos. Ov conflict, many more driven from their homes on the frontier back to more settled areas. iv.
It took British 18 months to bring the rebellion under control
4.British retaliated with germ warfare: blankets infected with smallpox distributed among the
Native Americans
5. Rebellion subdued in October 1763
1.
In response to Pontiac’s rebellions, George III signed an edict creating royal colonies in all newly acquired lands in the Treaty of Paris
2.
Prohibited colonials to move west of the Appalachians a.
Line drawn from Canada to Florida along the crest of the Appalachians intended to be temporary measure b.
British aim : settle land disputes with Indians fairly to prevent more bloody episodes like Pontiac’s uprising and organize eventual settlement and defense
3.
Colonials infuriated: viewed edict as being permanent a.
Many veterans had fought in the war and felt betrayed b.
Land speculators argued that the land was a birthright of British citizens
4.
Colonials generally ignored the Proclamation
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APUSH UNIT II: REVOLUTIONARY AMERICA MR. FAEH
1. In response to Pontiac’s rebellions, George III signed an edict creating royal colonies in all newly acquired lands in the Treaty of Paris
2.
Prohibited colonials to move west of the Appalachians a.
Line drawn from Canada to Florida along the crest of the Appalachians intended to be temporary measure b.
British aim : settle land disputes with Indians fairly to prevent more bloody episodes like Pontiac’s uprising and organize eventual settlement and defense
3.Colonials infuriated: viewed edict as being permanent a. Many veterans had fought in the war and felt betrayed c.
Land speculators argued that the land was a birthright of British citizens
4. Colonials generally ignored the Proclamation
1.
Require colonies stop issuing paper currency & retire all paper money in circulation
2.
Purpose : make colonists pay back their debts and taxes with hard currency
3.
Results : trade deficit between England & America hurt colonies a.
Most gold & silver flowed to England from colonies since colonies bought more than they sold b.
Lack of gold meant lack of hard cash; bartering increased
1.
Provision : (Also called Revenue Act of 1764) put duties on Sugar and certain luxury items
2.
First act ever passed specifically that raised revenue for crown
3.
Aimed to eliminate smuggling between colonies and French, Spanish and collect duties
4.
Those accused of smuggling would be tried in vice-admiralty courts w/out juries
5.
Reaction : pamphlets circulated = Not enforced effectively; duties eventually lowered after Stamp Act uproar
1.
Paxton Boys (1763) (“backcountry”) a.
Tensions w/in colonies i.
established society on Atlantic coast vs. “backcountry” ii.
felt isolated & underrepresented iii.
troubled by living closer to Indian tribes b.
Group from western Penn., known as Paxton Boys, descend on Philadelphia i.
Want relief from colonial taxes ii.
Money to help defend against Indians c.
Colonial govt. avoids bloodshed by making concessions
2.
Regulator Movement (1771) a.
Regulators = farmers from Caroline upcountry i.
Oppose high taxes local sheriff collected & feel underrepresented ii.
Arm selves & resist by force b.
Gov. raises militia from eastern counties & defeat Regulators
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APUSH UNIT II: REVOLUTIONARY AMERICA MR. FAEH
perhaps the single most important event leading to Revolution
1. Purpose : Raise revenues to support the new military force in the colonies
a. first direct tax on colonists
b. used to raise revenue, not regulate commerce like past acts
2. Provisions : a. Required use of stamped paper or affixed stamps certifying payment of tax. b. Tax applied to published materials and legal documents e.g., pamphlets, newspapers, diplomas, bills of lading, marriage certificates, death certificates, deeds, leases, mortages, insurance policies, bonds, ship charters, liquor licenses, playing cards. c. Both Sugar Act and Stamp Act provided for trying offenders in admiralty courts where juries were not allowed
-- Burden of proof on defendants; were assumed guilty unless proved innocent.
3. Grenville’s' view a. Stamp Act was reasonable and just
b. Only required colonials to pay their fair share for colonial defense
c. Stamp Act in Britain had been much heavier and in effect for 2 generations.
4. Virginia Resolves (led by Patrick Henry)
a. Virginia’s leaders saw Stamp Act as an attack on colonial's rights as Englishmen
b. 5 of Henry’s 7 resolutions adopted by the House of Burgesses including non-importation.
c. Claimed that Virginia could only be taxed by Virginians.
-- " No taxation w/o representation"
d. Assemblies of 8 other colonies passed resolutions silmilar to Virginias’s.
5. Colonist views distiguished between "legislation" and "taxation "
a. Legislation, "external taxes ", the right of Parliament regarding the empire; e.g. trade
b. Taxation, "internal taxes", exclusive right local popularly elected gov't
-- British taxation was robbery; attacking sacred rights of property
c. Grenville’s response: colonies had "virtual representation" in Parliament
-- All British subjects represented, even those who did not vote for members in Parliament.
d. Colonists believed "virtual representation" was neither adequate nor justified
i. "No taxation w/o representation" ii. Did not really want " direct representation " (actual representation)
-- Would mean increased taxes (as in Britain)
-- Increased responsibilities to the crown
-- Colonial reps. would be heavily outnumbered in Parliament
1.
Effects a.
Unintentionally angers some of the most vocal groups and powerful groups in colonies, and creates unifying effect i.
Merchants and Lawyers = ships papers and legal documents ii.
Tavern Owners = often are political leaders, licenses, playing cards, and dice (anger sailors also, create even rowdier group) iii.
Printers = influential in distributing information & ideas, newspapers and publications
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APUSH UNIT II: REVOLUTIONARY AMERICA MR. FAEH b.
Oppose philosophy of Direct Tax and done without representation i.
Tax was not very high, or an economic burden, especially compared to taxes paid in England ii.
Seen as direct attempt to raise revenue, and done without consent or representation iii.
If allowed, only more could be done in the future
2.
Virginia Resolves (Patrick Henry) a.
House of Burgesses leads way in creating colonial resistance b.
Led by group of young “backwater” aristocrats who want to challenge power of
“tidewater” planters (allied with royal governor), along with protesting the
British actions c.
Patrick Henry gives speech in House of Burgesses calling resolutions i.
colonists possess same rights, including being taxed by their own representatives ii.
Virginians should only pay taxes voted on by Virginian assembly iii.
Anyone proposing the right of Parliament to tax should be deemed and enemy d.
House of Burgesses vote down most radical resolutions, and some called him a traitor, but all were printed and gave impression of radical in Virginia
3.
Stamp Act Congress a.
James Otis of Massachusetts , starts call in colonial assembly for colony cooperation to protest Stamp Act b.
1765, 27 representatives from 9 colonies met in New York to form Stamp Act
Congress c.
Petition King and Parliament, only local assemblies could rightfully tax colonists d.
Largely ignored in England e.
Significance: Brought together reps from different &rival colonies and set a precedent for future resistance to British rule f.
Non-importation agreements against British goods i.
England economy suffered from non-importation but non-importation was not decisive in reversing Parliament’s decision
4.
Sons and Daughters of Liberty a.
Led by Sam Adams b.
Enforced nonimportation agreements against violators = tar & feathers c.
Houses of unpopular officials ransacked, possessions stolen, while officials were often hanged in effigy; warehouse where stamps stored was destroyed d.
All stamp act agents were forced to resign; no one selling stamps
5.
Repealed, Declaratory Act a . Lord Rockingham sees the Stamp Act as a possible cause of civil crisis and
encourages British merchants to write Parliament to rescind the tax.
b. Parliament passed the Declaratory Act at the same time
i. Purpose was partly to save face
ii. Claimed that Parliament had the right to tax colonies I the future.
c. Sugar Act tax lowered from 3-pence per gallon to 1-pence
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APUSH UNIT II: REVOLUTIONARY AMERICA MR. FAEH
1.
Quartering Act/Mutiny Act (1765) a.
Provisions i.
Colonists required provide food and living quarters for British soldiers b.
Colonial Reaction i.
Had voluntarily done this in the past, but now it was mandatory and considered another form of taxation without consent ii.
Massachusetts assembly refuses supply troops iii.
New York Assembly also refuses, New York City headquarters for army
2.
Townshend Duties (1767) a.
Provisions i.
Small import duty on glass, white lead, paper, paint, silk and tea ii.
Tax was an indirect customs duty payable at American ports (“external tax”) = so felt they shouldn’t object iii.
Revenues from taxes to pay the salaries of royal governors and judges iv.
Established American Board of customs Commissioners & vice admiralty courts to enforce trade laws i.
Royal judges would be allowed to grant “writs of assistance” in private homes or shops or warehouses b.
Colonial Reaction i.
Colonies interpreted this as a tax to raise revenue; any form inappropriate ii.
John Dickinson, “Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania” a.
Challenged distinction between “internal” and “external” taxes b.
Denied right to levy taxes for purpose of revenue c.
Problem = most custom officials a bad lot: greedy and work with malice and racketeering d.
Prompted the Massachusetts Circular Letter iii.
Massachusetts Circular Letter (Feb. 1768) a.
Mass. Legislature urged by Sam Adams and James Otis, reiterated
Dickinson’s arguments and called for other colonies to pass petitions calling on Parliament to repeal the acts b.
Lord Hillsborough, sent troops to Boston and threatened to dissolve
Mass. Legislature and hold new elections if the letter not retracted iv.
Colonial Boycotts a.
Some colonies reenacted previous nonimportation agreements (MA,
NY, PA, SC) = British exports to America fell 40% over the next few months b.
Several colonial legislatures dissolved as they supported
Massachusetts circular: MA, MD, VA, DE, SC
3.
Repeal of Townshend Duties (1770) a.
Lord North, bowing to pressure, got Parliament to repeal the act in 1770 .
i.
Nonimportation agreements were pinching British manufacturers ii.
Three-pence tax on tea remained to demonstrate Parliament's right to tax. -- Taxed tea still cost less than smuggled tea.
b.
Half the troops in Boston removed c.
General feeling of goodwill after Townshend Acts were repealed until 1773
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APUSH UNIT II: REVOLUTIONARY AMERICA MR. FAEH
1.
Causes a.
arrival of troops in boston aroused American resistance b.
colonials fearful of standing armies; believed Britain sought to suppress colonial liberties c.
tension between soldiers and laborers = redcoats seek jobs during off-duty hours
2.
Event & Propaganda a.
March 5, 1770 British soldiers (having been provoked) fired on a crowd of
Bostonians b.
Crispus Attucks , a mulatto merchant seaman, the “first to die in the revolution,”
& alleged leader of the unruly mob c.
Word of the “massacre” spread throughout the colonies (esp. by Sons of Liberty) d.
Colonial propaganda exaggerated the event and made British appear sinister =
Paul Revere Print
3.
Committees of Correspondence (Sam Adams)
1.
Tea Act
2.
Colonial Reaction
1.
Provisions
2.
Colonial Reaction
1. Reject Galloway Plan
2. Declaration and Resolves
3. Suffolk Resolves
4. Continental Association: Boycott
5. Agree to Meet Again
6. Restate Allegiance to King
1. Olive Branch Petition
2. Declaration of the Causes & Necessity of Taking Up Arms
3. Select George Washington to head Army
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