Empire in Transition New Government Policies • Since most Governors of English colonies were never permanent, most focus shifted towards local politics. – Provincial governments acted fairly independent of parliament. • Following the Glorious Revolution Parliament held more control than ever, and made little effort to tighten control of colonial activity • However, most colonists still felt loyal to Britain and considered themselves English subjects. Albany Plan • Religious and commercial tensions between the French and British began to spill into colonial America. • Upon problems with the French and their Iroquois allies, Colonial leaders held a conference in Albany. • Ben Franklin was the first to suggest a colonial “parliament” that would oversee interests and protection for all colonies with consent of Parliament. – Albany Plan was drafted and given to each colony for approval. French Influence in the Colonies • French fur trade drew larger numbers of Immigrants further into interior • Jesuit priests followed to find converts • Louis XIV used the opportunity to gain national unity and global interests • Funded excursions further south and eventually reached what is today Louisiana – Jacques Marquette & Louis Joliet – Green Bay to junction of Mississippi and Arkansas Rivers – Sieur de La Salle – further south to the delta of the Mississippi River French and Indian War • Both English and French needed native allies to gain control of the continent – English commerce offered better and more goods – French were much more tolerant • The most powerful group was Iroquois tribes who generally stayed independent and played the two off of each other • Following a series of French-English conflicts the Iroquois granted concessions to the English – The French saw this as a threat. French and Indian War Cont. • Summer of 1754, Virginia governor sent detachment under George Washington to challenge French influence. – Built an outpost near the French Fort Duquesne (modern day Pittsburgh) and called it “Fort Necessity” • After a failed attack by Washington the French responded – Trapped him and his men inside and killed 1/3 of them and Washington surrendered. • This began French and Indian War Seven Years War • Initially fighting primarily between colonists and French with little help from British. – English Maj. General Braddock led a failed attempt to regain control by Fort Duquesne in summer 1755. – Following the battle he was killed by French and Indian ambush, beginning the larger European conflict called the Seven Years War. • With more important war at stake William Pitt asserted British authority and upset colonists. – Forced colonial participation in military and made colonists provide shelter for British troops. – Colonial resistance grew bitter, riots in New York City British Victory • Realizing the need for colonial support, Pitt relaxed measures and regained militias. • French were outnumbered, and poor harvests left them ill-equipped. – British seized control of Louisbourg and Dusquense – Siege at Quebec led to British control of largest French holding. • Brutality – Relocating French subjects from Nova Scotia throughout English colonies ( Cajun ancestors) – Scalp bounties on French allies – French attacks on British colonists on frontiers. End of French-Indian War • George III gained British throne and signed Peace of Paris with French in 1763 against Pitt’s wishes. – In the peace Britain gained West Indies, French colonies in India, Canada, and French colonies east of Mississippi except New Orleans – New Orleans and Western territories were given to Spain • War resulted in extreme debt and resentment toward colonial problems during the war. • Colonials gained military experience and passionate distaste for British regulars and policies. Problems with Empire • With considerable more territory to control the British had to consider new problems. – Rapid settlement of new land could cause more conflict with natives – Should the new territories be controlled by nearby colonies, or considered open to new colonies themselves – How should British pay to protect these new claims. • Since colonies refused to voluntarily pay more taxes to support this expansion, Parliament in London was forced to impose taxes to meet needs King George III • Obtained the Throne at a young age • Was determined to prove that he was capable and therefore took a more active role in policy making – Upset both Parliament and Colonies – Rare disease that impaired judgment, but won’t be obvious until later in life. • He appoints George Grenville as Prime Minister – Grenville is not as sympathetic to colonist beliefs and unwilling to compromise like Pitt had. – Immediately imposes new system to collect taxes from colonists. Proclamation of 1763 Proclamation of 1763 • Settlers began moving westward at a high rate following the war – This upset tribes within the regions and they formed an alliance under the Ottawa Chief Pontiac • To protect settlers and their interests the British issued a ruling – Proclaimed a boundary along the Appalachian Mts. That couldn’t be crossed by settlers – This allowed London, not colonial governments to control westward expansion – Proclamation never fully worked. Grenville Imposes Authority • Grenville imposed a series of legislation intended to collect taxes and pay British debts and subdue colonial resistence • Mutiny Act 1765 – force colonists to assist in provisioning and maintaining an army. Increased size of Customs service • Sugar Act 1764 – eliminate illegal sugar trade by enforcing duty on sugar strictly, drove up price of sugar and down price of molasses Grenville’s Authority Cont. • Currency Act 1764 – forbid colonists from printing their own paper currency and restricted the amount available. • Stamp Act 1765 – perhaps the most momentous of all – Imposed a tax on all printed documents in the colonies: newspapers, almanacs, pamphlets, deeds, wills, licenses….. – Drove up the prices of everyday products Colonial Response • Even though colonists resented measures, they were still too divided to resist. • The Paxton Boys – group of western Pennsylvania farmers who attacked Philadelphia for relief from COLONIAL taxes and wanted help with Indian problems after French and Indian war. • Regulator Movement – North Carolina farmers who wanted tax relief and representation in legislature. When grievances weren’t met they fought. Came to a head at the Battle of Alamance – 9 killed and 6 Regulators hanged for treason Impact of British Measures • Wartime production had created economic boom during the war, but when production dropped a major bust occurred in Colonial economy. – Grenville’s new taxes compounded the problem and made colonists fear the British would cripple their economy. • Stamp Act in particular bothered Colonists – Economic impact was widespread from lawyers to merchants and tavern owners, yet relatively inexpensive – Precedent was the problem, British could pass laws like it without any Colonial representation. Colonial Resistance • Virginia Resolves – developed as a result of fiery speech in the House of Burgesses by Patrick Henry – Proposed colonists only pay taxes imposed by colonial governments • Stamp Act Congress 1765 – met in New York and 9 colonies were represented, officially petitioned the king and asserted many of the ideas of the Virginia Resolves • Sons of Liberty – radical group based in Boston that began taking the law into their own hands and harassing customs officials and opposing laws Tar and Feathering Townshend Acts • After a repeal of the Stamp Acts, colonists celebrated a “victory”, short lived due to the Declaratory Act that gave Parliament complete control • Quartering Act o1765 – made it mandatory for colonists to shelter and supply British troops – Many already did this, but resented the “mandatory” • When New York assembly officially opposed them, new Parliament leader Charles Townshend disbanded the assembly and imposed new taxes on other goods. Boston Massacre Boston Massacre • Colonists effectively boycott these acts – Primarily out of coercion by the Sons of Liberty – Led to multiple incidents between colonists and troops • Boston Massacre: March 5, 1770 – Colonists taunted and assaulted troops at Boston Harbor – Eventually troops opened fire and killed 5 unarmed colonists. The Gaspee Incident • Colonists from Rhode Island stormed a British merchant ship and sank it in the Narragansett Bay. • Instead of holding the attackers on trial and prosecuting them, British authorities had them sent back to England for trial. – Clear violation of their rights as British subjects. Tea Act • In order to save the British East India Tea company from bankruptcy, the government passed the Tea Act of 1773. – The company had the ability to ship their product straight to Colonies without paying a duty. • Was more of a matter of principle than economics – Merchants once again feared a precedent was set where Parliament could pass laws supporting British companies. – Representation was again a problem. Boston Tea Party Boston Tea Party • Group of members of the Sons of Liberty dressed as Mohawk Indians and boarded British supply ship and dumped tea into the harbor. • Was a symbolic gesture of Colonial resistance to laws. • When the people of Boston refused to pay for damages the British became angry. Coercive Acts/ Intolerable Acts • Passed intentionally aimed at the people of Massachusetts – Closed Boston Harbor – Reduced colonial government – Permitted Royal officials to be tried in England and elsewhere when accused of a crime – Required quartering of troops The First Continental Congress • 55 delegates from 12 colonies were convened in Philadelphia at Carpenter’s Hall • Decisions Made: – Sent a statement of respectful grievances to London – Approved set of Preparations for British response, including provisions for military in Boston – Formed “Constitutional Association” to support boycott of British goods until acts were repealed – Agreed to meet again in the Spring The Shot Heard Round the World • Colonists kept stolen gun powder and ammunition in garrisons around Massachusetts. – British intentions to reclaim the goods • One if by land, Two if by sea – Paul Revere made his famous ride to warn the minutemen that British would be there by morning. • Lexington and Concord – Minutemen first met British regulars on the Green in Lexington and the first shots were exchanged on the way to Concord. – Unconventional victory for the Colonists