Breakdown of Unity &
Revolutionary War
1763-1783
French and Indian War
• 1756-1763
• British and Colonists fight the French and Indians
• British win war. French are kicked out of N
America (map 125)
• Colonists play a key role and turning the tide.
Fight in British Army. George Washington.
• Colonists are extremely proud to be part of
English Empire. Blue book pg 199
• How did the British go from the height of
dominance and power in America in 1763, to the
brink of war with the colonies in the
Revolutionary War in 1776?
Impact of the French Removal
• Colonists think that their lives should and will
change dramatically once the French are gone.
• They think taxes should go down. (They will
actually go up as the British try to pay down the
debt incurred during the war.)
• They think they should be able to move west to
settle new territories. (They still be restricted
from moving west as the British try to deal with
the Indian resistance started by Pontiac.)
• They think the British troops will return to
England since they are no longer needed to fight
the French. (They will stay to deal with Indian
resistance and then the growing discontent
among the colonists.)
Taxation
• British War debt is 130 million Pounds
• British citizens in England pay 33% tax rate.
Colonists pay 5%
• British impose new taxes on the colonists to
pay off debt
• 1764 Sugar Act - External Tax.
– Same kind of taxes the colonists had paid for
years. Colonists are annoyed, but not enraged.
• 1765 Stamp Act – Internal Tax - NEW!!!
– Colonists are outraged at this new and high tax
Response to the Stamp Act
• Stamp Act Congress meets in New York
– 9/13 colonies
– Send Declaration of Rights and Grievances
– Organize boycotts which hurt English economy
• Does parliament have the right to pass direct
(internal) taxes on the colonists without
representation?
• Stamp Act Repealed - 1766
• Parliament passes Declaratory Act – 1766
– States that although Parliament has chosen to repeal
the Stamp Act, this was a choice and it has the right to
pass any taxes it sees fit
Other Taxes
• 1767 – Townshend Duties (repealed 1770)
• Tea Act 1773
Limitations
• Proclamation Line of 1763
– stops colonists from settles west of the
Appalachians
• Currency Act 1764
– Requires all debts to be paid in hard currency
– No more paper money
– Colonists have a shortage of specie
Grievances
• Quartering Acts 1765 & 1774
• Boston Massacre 1770
• Coercive Acts 1774
– Boston Port Act – closed until tea is paid for
– Administration of Justice Act – British officers tried
in England
– Massachusetts Govt. Act
Road to Revolution
• 1st Continental Congress – 1774
– 12 colonies meet in response to the Intolerable Acts
– Not seeking independence! Looking to respond and get
Intolerable Acts repealed – much like Stamp Act Congress
• 2nd Continental Congress – 1775
– Olive Branch Petition (AFTER Lexington and Concorde)
– Organizes Continental Army
– Appoint George Washington commander in chief
• George Washington (the Arnold Schwarzenegger of colonial
times)
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Incredible soldier and horseman (pg 93)
French and Indian War background (pg 121-123)
Air of Confidence
Actual Decisions during the war (crossing Delaware at Trenton)
Leadership at Valley Forge keeps army together
Prior to the D of I
• Battles Chart pg 76
• Battles of Lexington & Concord – 1775 General Gage
– Actual Battles are British victories, but hey are harried by
snipers all the way back to Boston. Americans show they are
willing to fight and won’t roll over as British had thought.
• Close to 300 british die on trip back. Over 100 americans
• Congress still sends olive branch petition after battles
• Northern - Bunker Hill, Tort Ticonderoga, Quebec (British
Victories)
– Bunker Hill British victory (Pyhrric Victory) too many casualties to
keep fighting such battles
• Southern - Great Bridge, Moore’s Creek Bridge,
Charlestown
Declaration of Independence
• DofI – July 4, 1776 by Jefferson
• Written June 28, Revised July 2
• More than a year after fighting had begun at
Lexington and Concorde
Important Battles
• Losses in NY
• Brooklyn Heights and White Plains lead to low morale and
view that the war is all but lost
• Trenton and Princeton
– Trenton on Christmas night. Surprise attack. The
victory reinvigorates the colonial army prior to the
tough winter at Valley Forge
Saratoga
• 1777 Most important battle of the war
– Americans harass the British through upstate NY
– Knowledge of terrain and long British supply line
show American tactical advantages
– Americans cut down trees to slow the advance of
the British
– General Howe refused to re-supply Burgoyne
– Benedict Arnold was instrumental in the victory
for the Americans. Targets British officers
– Victory in a major battle convinces the French to
join the war
Southern Theater
• British shift their tactics from trying to subdue the
North (birthplace and hotbed of rebellion) to focus on
the south where there is significant torrie/british
support.
• Early English victories at Savannah and Charlestown
were balanced by later American victories at Kings
Mountain and Cowpens, SC.
• Even when you win you lose – British victory at
Guilford courthouse at such a high cost of men that
they can not stand another like it.
• Yorktown – 10/19/81 Combined American/French
forces of almost 17,000 (about = in #)
• French fleet blocks harbour from re-supply by British
• Cornwallis surrenders to Washington.
Final Thoughts
• Peace of Paris 9/3/83 (pg. 181)
• Analysis – Americans can sustain greater losses and still
recruit replacements….
• The longer the war went, the worse it was for the
British…
• Add in French troops/Navy and the war is a lost cause.
• Much like Vietnam…. War in Iraq connections????
Beating the army of the local fighters does not mean
the populace ends the fight.
- often when the Americans lose they simply blend
into the countryside to fight another day.
(Vietnam & Iraq)