Tensions Between the Tensions Between the Colonies and BritainColonies and Britain

Ch. 3, Section 4

Ch. 4, Sections 1 and 2

French and Indian WarFrench and Indian War

• France was Britain’s greatest rival in North America

• French had alliances with major native tribes of the midwest (Huron, Ottawa, Ojibwe)

• Built Fort Duquesne in present day Pittsburgh, but there was a problem

• British granted that land to planters

French and Indian WarFrench and Indian War

• British sent George Washington and VA militia to drive the French out– Built Fort Necessity– Forced to surrender

during French counter-attack

– Beginning of French and Indian War

French and Indian WarFrench and Indian War

• Gen. Edward Braddock defeated by French guerrilla warfare at first

• William Pitt borrowed a heap of money and began winning

• Iroquois (one of biggest native alliances) joined British

French and Indian WarFrench and Indian War

• French driven to Quebec City

• British won by scaling cliffs around Quebec and taking the French by surprise

French and Indian WarFrench and Indian War

• Treaty of Paris (1763): ended the war with France

• Great Britain received Canada and most of North America, including Florida from France’s ally Spain

French and Indian WarFrench and Indian War

• To fight native resistance:– Brits gave two small pox

blankets to natives during peace negotiations

– To avoid major battles, Proclamation of 1763

French and Indian WarFrench and Indian War

Problems Resulting from Problems Resulting from WarWar

1.1. Brits left 10,000 troops for colonists’ Brits left 10,000 troops for colonists’ safetysafety

2.2. Britain raises taxes to pay for its war Britain raises taxes to pay for its war debtsdebts

• Writs of assistance: could search any building or ship for suspected smuggled goods

3.3. Sugar ActSugar Act• Smugglers tried with one judge, no jury• Claimed rights being violated b/c no

representation in Parliament

American American RevolutionRevolution

1. Stamp Act (1765):– Had to buy special

stamped paper for everything

– Still paying back debts

– Colonists realized British interests not same as their own

• The Sons of Liberty:• Harassed colonial officials and stamp agents• Assemblies made own taxes and defied Brit. Laws• Boycott British goods

– Declaration of Rights and Grievances:• “no taxation without representation”

– 1766, Stamp Act repealed

American American RevolutionRevolution

2. Townshend Acts (1767):– Taxes on imports and tea– British troops stationed in Boston to stop

smuggling

American American RevolutionRevolution

3. Boston Massacre (1770)• Presence of soldiers created hostility• Mob gathered in Boston Square to taunt guards• British soldiers fired into crowd, killing 5 colonists

American American RevolutionRevolution

• Townshend Acts repealed except for tea tax– Committees of correspondence:

communication between colonies about threats to American liberties

American American RevolutionRevolution

4. Boston Tea Party (1773): • Disguised as natives dumped 15,000 lbs. of tea

dumped into harbor

American American RevolutionRevolution

5. Intolerable Acts (1774):– King George singled out Massachusetts for

punishment• Shut down Boston Harbor, Quartering Act,

martial law (rule by military force)

American American RevolutionRevolution

American American RevolutionRevolution

• First Continental Congress assembled to discuss colonial rights– Colonists begin to stockpile weapons

American American RevolutionRevolution

6. Fighting at Lexington and Concord (1775)

– General Gage sent troops to Concord to seize colonial weapons• Paul Revere and others

spread the word that troops are coming

American American RevolutionRevolution

• Battle of Lexington lasted 15 minutes, 8 colonists killed

• At Concord, thousands of colonial minutemen defeated British troops

• Now enemies