6: 6: From Empire to From Empire to Independence, 1750-1776Independence, 1750-1776

""The Revolution was effected before The Revolution was effected before the war commencedthe war commenced. . The Revolution The Revolution was in the minds and hearts of the was in the minds and hearts of the people; a change in their religious people; a change in their religious sentiments, their duties and sentiments, their duties and obligations. This radical change in obligations. This radical change in the principles, opinions, sentiments the principles, opinions, sentiments and affections of the people, was the and affections of the people, was the real American Revolutionreal American Revolution."."

John Adams (1818)John Adams (1818)

““A great empire and little minds go ill A great empire and little minds go ill together.”together.”

Edmund Burke, March 1776Edmund Burke, March 1776

Chapter Review QuestionsChapter Review Questions

1.1. How did overwhelming British success in How did overwhelming British success in the the Seven Years’ War lead to an imperial crisis Seven Years’ War lead to an imperial crisis in in British North America?British North America?

2. 2.  Explain the changes in British policy toward Explain the changes in British policy toward the colonies from 1750 to 1776.the colonies from 1750 to 1776.

3.3. Trace the developing sense of an American Trace the developing sense of an American national community over this same period.national community over this same period.

4.4. What were the principal events leading to What were the principal events leading to the the beginning of armed conflict at Lexington beginning of armed conflict at Lexington and and Concord?Concord?

5.5. How were the ideals of American How were the ideals of American republicanism expressed in the Declaration of republicanism expressed in the Declaration of Independence?Independence?

BibliographyBibliography Douglass Adair & John A. Schutz editors, Douglass Adair & John A. Schutz editors, Peter Oliver's Peter Oliver's

Origins & Progress of the American RevolutionOrigins & Progress of the American Revolution (1781) (1781) Bernard Bailyn, The Ideological Origins of the American Bernard Bailyn, The Ideological Origins of the American

RevolutionRevolution (1967) (1967) & & The Ordeal of Thomas HutchinsonThe Ordeal of Thomas Hutchinson (1974) (1974)

John Ferling, John Ferling, A Life of John AdamsA Life of John Adams (1992) (1992) Eric Foner, Eric Foner, Tom Paine and Revolutionary AmericaTom Paine and Revolutionary America (1976) (1976) Robert Gross, Robert Gross, The Minutemen and Their WorldThe Minutemen and Their World (1976) (1976) Stephen Kurtz & James Hutson editors, Stephen Kurtz & James Hutson editors, Essays on the Essays on the

American RevolutionAmerican Revolution (1973) (1973) Barbara W. Tuchman, Barbara W. Tuchman, The March of Folly: From Troy to The March of Folly: From Troy to

VietnamVietnam (1984) (1984) Gary Wills, Gary Wills, Inventing AmericaInventing America (1978) (1978) Gordon Wood, The Radicalism of the American Gordon Wood, The Radicalism of the American

Revolution (1991)Revolution (1991)

ChronologyChronology

1713 1713 France cedes Acadia to Britain France cedes Acadia to Britain 1745 1745 New Englanders capture Louisburg New Englanders capture Louisburg 1753 1753 French begin forts - Lake Erie to Ohio R French begin forts - Lake Erie to Ohio R 1754 1754 Albany CongressAlbany Congress 1755 1755 British General Edward Braddock defeated by British General Edward Braddock defeated by

a a combined force of French and Indians combined force of French and Indians 1756 1756 Seven Years War begins in EuropeSeven Years War begins in Europe 1757 1757 William Pitt becomes prime minister William Pitt becomes prime minister 1758 1758 Louisburg captured by the British for the Louisburg captured by the British for the

second second time time 1759 1759 British capture Quebec British capture Quebec 1763 1763 Treaty of Paris; Pontiac's uprising; Treaty of Paris; Pontiac's uprising;

Proclamation of Proclamation of 17631763 creates "Indian Country"; creates "Indian Country"; Paxton Boys Paxton Boys massacre massacre

ChronologyChronology

1764 1764 Sugar Act Sugar Act 1765 1765 Stamp Act and Stamp Act CongressStamp Act and Stamp Act Congress 1766 1766 Declaratory Act Declaratory Act 1767 1767 Townshend Revenue Acts Townshend Revenue Acts 1768 1768 Treaties of Hard Labor and Fort Stanwix Treaties of Hard Labor and Fort Stanwix 1770 1770 Boston Massacre Boston Massacre 1772 1772 First Committee of Correspondence in Boston First Committee of Correspondence in Boston 1773 1773 Tea Act; Boston Tea PartyTea Act; Boston Tea Party 1774 1774 Intolerable Acts; First Continental CongressIntolerable Acts; First Continental Congress; ;

Dunmore's War Dunmore's War 1775 1775 Fighting begins at Lexington and Concord; Fighting begins at Lexington and Concord;

Second Second Continental CongressContinental Congress 1776 1776 Americans invade Canada; Americans invade Canada; Thomas Paine's Thomas Paine's

Common Common SenseSense; Declaration of Independence; Declaration of Independence

A:A: The First Continental The First Continental Congress Shapes a National Congress Shapes a National

Political CommunityPolitical Community

The First Continental CongressThe First Continental Congress

In 1774, delegates from 12 colonies In 1774, delegates from 12 colonies met for seven weeks in Philadelphia met for seven weeks in Philadelphia at the First Continental Congress at the First Continental Congress forging a community of national forging a community of national leaders.leaders.

The Congress took the first step The Congress took the first step toward creating a national political toward creating a national political community.community.

B:B: The Seven Years' War in The Seven Years' War in AmericaAmerica

The Albany Congress of 1754The Albany Congress of 1754 The Albany Congress included delegates from The Albany Congress included delegates from

New England, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, New England, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and the Iroquois Confederacy.and the Iroquois Confederacy.

The agenda included:The agenda included: considering a collective colonial response to the conflict considering a collective colonial response to the conflict

with New France and the Indians of the interior; andwith New France and the Indians of the interior; and negotiation of a settlement with the Iroquois negotiation of a settlement with the Iroquois

Confederacy, who had become unhappy with colonial Confederacy, who had become unhappy with colonial land-grabbing.land-grabbing.

The Conference resulted in:The Conference resulted in: The Iroquois leaving without an agreement; andThe Iroquois leaving without an agreement; and adoption of Benjamin Franklin's Plan of Union, though adoption of Benjamin Franklin's Plan of Union, though

this was rejected by colonial assemblies.this was rejected by colonial assemblies.

Colonial Aims and Indian Colonial Aims and Indian InterestsInterests

The 3 principal flash points of conflictThe 3 principal flash points of conflict in North in North America were:America were: 1. The northern Atlantic coast where British Nova Scotia 1. The northern Atlantic coast where British Nova Scotia

and French Louisburg faced each other.and French Louisburg faced each other. 2. The border region between New France and New York 2. The border region between New France and New York

from Niagara Falls to Lake George where competition for from Niagara Falls to Lake George where competition for the Indian trade was fierce.the Indian trade was fierce.

3. The Ohio country was the primary focus of British and 3. The Ohio country was the primary focus of British and French attention due to competition over land. French attention due to competition over land.

The impending war involved Indian peoples of the The impending war involved Indian peoples of the interior.interior.

The Iroquois Confederacy and Creeks successfully The Iroquois Confederacy and Creeks successfully played the European powers off one another.played the European powers off one another.

Frontier WarfareFrontier Warfare

The defeat of General Braddock in 1755 The defeat of General Braddock in 1755 was followed by the outbreak of war was followed by the outbreak of war between Britain and France in 1756between Britain and France in 1756..

The French achieved early victories in New The French achieved early victories in New York.York.

The British harshly treated French-speaking The British harshly treated French-speaking farmers of Acadia by expelling them from farmers of Acadia by expelling them from their homes. Many moved to Louisiana their homes. Many moved to Louisiana where they became known as "Cajuns."where they became known as "Cajuns."

The Conquest of CanadaThe Conquest of Canada

William Pitt became British Prime Minister William Pitt became British Prime Minister promising to win the war.promising to win the war.

Pitt's plan called for the conquest of Canada Pitt's plan called for the conquest of Canada and the elimination of all French competition and the elimination of all French competition from North America. from North America.

The British gained Iroquois Confederacy and The British gained Iroquois Confederacy and Ohio Indians and committed over 50,000 Ohio Indians and committed over 50,000 British and colonial troops to the Canada British and colonial troops to the Canada campaign.campaign.

British forces captured Louisburg, the French British forces captured Louisburg, the French forts on the New York border, Quebec, and, forts on the New York border, Quebec, and, lastly, Montreal in 1760.lastly, Montreal in 1760.

The Removal of the French The Removal of the French from North Americafrom North America

In the Treaty of Paris of 1763, the In the Treaty of Paris of 1763, the French lost all its North American French lost all its North American mainland possessions.mainland possessions.

The Struggle for the WestThe Struggle for the West The removal of the French stimulated a The removal of the French stimulated a

revitalization movement among the Ohio revitalization movement among the Ohio Indians led by Neolin, the Delaware Prophet.Indians led by Neolin, the Delaware Prophet.

Pontiac, an OttawaPontiac, an Ottawa, forged a confederacy that , forged a confederacy that achieved early success, was crippled by a achieved early success, was crippled by a disease epidemic, and then failed.disease epidemic, and then failed.

The British had earlier issued the Proclamation The British had earlier issued the Proclamation of 1763.of 1763.

American colonists opposed the Proclamation of American colonists opposed the Proclamation of 1763 and the British could not stop westward 1763 and the British could not stop westward migration.migration.

The Indians were forced to make concessions.The Indians were forced to make concessions.

C:C: The Imperial Crisis of The Imperial Crisis of British North AmericaBritish North America

The Emergence of American The Emergence of American NationalismNationalism

The Seven Years War affected the The Seven Years War affected the American colonists by:American colonists by: making them proud to be members of making them proud to be members of

the British empire;the British empire; noting important contrasts between noting important contrasts between

themselves and the British; andthemselves and the British; and strengthened a sense of identity among strengthened a sense of identity among

the colonists.the colonists. A nationalist perspective emerged.A nationalist perspective emerged.

The Press, Politics, and The Press, Politics, and RepublicanismRepublicanism

The weekly newspaper was an important The weekly newspaper was an important means of intercolonial communication.means of intercolonial communication.

The colonial press expressed the political The colonial press expressed the political assumptions of informed colonists, often assumptions of informed colonists, often reprinting the writings of radical Whigs.reprinting the writings of radical Whigs.

The notion of republicanism emerged The notion of republicanism emerged from Whig warnings of government's from Whig warnings of government's threats to LIBERTY.threats to LIBERTY.

The Sugar and Stamp ActsThe Sugar and Stamp Acts The costs of the Seven Years War and the The costs of the Seven Years War and the

subsequent defense of the North American subsequent defense of the North American empire added to the huge government debt.empire added to the huge government debt.

In 1764, Parliament passed the Sugar Act to In 1764, Parliament passed the Sugar Act to raise revenue from the colonies.raise revenue from the colonies.

Colonial protest arose in the cities, especially Colonial protest arose in the cities, especially Boston where a nonimportation movement Boston where a nonimportation movement soon spread to other cities.soon spread to other cities.

James Otis, Jr. developed the doctrine of no James Otis, Jr. developed the doctrine of no taxation without representation.taxation without representation.

Prime Minister GrenvillePrime Minister Grenville ignored American ignored American protests and passed the Stamp Act.protests and passed the Stamp Act.

The Stamp Act CrisisThe Stamp Act Crisis

The Stamp Act precipitated an unprecedented The Stamp Act precipitated an unprecedented crisis.crisis.

Colonial concerns included the long-term Colonial concerns included the long-term constitutional implications regarding constitutional implications regarding representation of the colonists in the British representation of the colonists in the British government.government.

Several colonies passed resolutions Several colonies passed resolutions denouncing the Stamp Act.denouncing the Stamp Act.

Massachusetts, expecially Boston, emerged as Massachusetts, expecially Boston, emerged as a center of protest.a center of protest.

To counter the growing violence, the Sons of To counter the growing violence, the Sons of Liberty were formed.Liberty were formed.

Repeal of the Stamp ActRepeal of the Stamp Act

British merchants worried about the British merchants worried about the effects of the growing effects of the growing nonimportation movement petitioned nonimportation movement petitioned Parliament to repeal the Stamp Act.Parliament to repeal the Stamp Act.

Parliament repealed the Stamp Act in Parliament repealed the Stamp Act in March 1767 but passed the March 1767 but passed the Declaratory Act.Declaratory Act.

E:E: "Save Your Money and "Save Your Money and Your Country"Your Country"

The Townshend Revenue ActsThe Townshend Revenue Acts During the 1760s, there were rapid turnover of During the 1760s, there were rapid turnover of

government leaders.government leaders. In 1767, Charles Townshend prime minister.In 1767, Charles Townshend prime minister. Townshend proposed a new revenue measure Townshend proposed a new revenue measure

that placed import duties on lead, glass, paint, that placed import duties on lead, glass, paint, paper, and tea.paper, and tea.

In response, John Dickinson's Letters from a In response, John Dickinson's Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania stated that Parliament Farmer in Pennsylvania stated that Parliament had no right to tax goods to raise revenue on had no right to tax goods to raise revenue on America.America.

Townshend enacted several measures to Townshend enacted several measures to enforce the new Acts.enforce the new Acts.

Nonimportation:Nonimportation: An Early An Early Political BoycottPolitical Boycott

Associations of nonimportation and non- Associations of nonimportation and non- consumption reformed to protest the consumption reformed to protest the Townshend Acts.Townshend Acts.

Appeals to stimulate local industry had Appeals to stimulate local industry had strong appeal in small towns and rural strong appeal in small towns and rural areas.areas.

Colonial newspapers paid much attention Colonial newspapers paid much attention to women supporting the boycott.to women supporting the boycott.

These efforts reduced British exports by These efforts reduced British exports by 41 percent.41 percent.

The Massachusetts Circular The Massachusetts Circular LetterLetter

Boston and Massachusetts were the Boston and Massachusetts were the center of the agitation over the center of the agitation over the Townshend Revenue Acts.Townshend Revenue Acts.

Samuel Adams drafted a circular letter Samuel Adams drafted a circular letter that led to British forcing the that led to British forcing the Massachusetts House of Representative Massachusetts House of Representative to rescind the letterto rescind the letter..

Rumors of mob rule and riots in Boston Rumors of mob rule and riots in Boston led to the British army occupying the led to the British army occupying the city.city.

The Politics of Revolt and the The Politics of Revolt and the Boston MassacreBoston Massacre

The British troops stationed in the colonies The British troops stationed in the colonies were a source of scorn and hostility.were a source of scorn and hostility.

Confrontations arose in New York City and Confrontations arose in New York City and Boston between colonists and British soldiers.Boston between colonists and British soldiers.

In Boston, competition between British troops In Boston, competition between British troops and townsmen over jobs was a source of and townsmen over jobs was a source of conflict.conflict.

On March 5, 1770:On March 5, 1770: a confrontation between British soldiers and a a confrontation between British soldiers and a

crowd ended in the Boston Massacre that left five crowd ended in the Boston Massacre that left five dead.dead.

the Townshend Act was repealed.the Townshend Act was repealed.

E:E: From Resistance to From Resistance to RebellionRebellion

Intercolonial CooperationIntercolonial Cooperation

In the early seventies, several In the early seventies, several colonies established committees of colonies established committees of correspondence to:correspondence to: share information;share information; shape public opinion; andshape public opinion; and build cooperation among the colonies.build cooperation among the colonies.

Statements and letters by Thomas Statements and letters by Thomas Hutchinson outraged colonists.Hutchinson outraged colonists.

The Boston Tea PartyThe Boston Tea Party

Parliament passed a new tax on tea Parliament passed a new tax on tea to save the East India Company from to save the East India Company from failing.failing.

Colonial protests included:Colonial protests included: the Boston Tea Party;the Boston Tea Party; a tea party in New York;a tea party in New York; burning a ship loaded with tea in burning a ship loaded with tea in

Annapolis; andAnnapolis; and burning a warehouse in New Jersey.burning a warehouse in New Jersey.

The First Continental CongressThe First Continental Congress The delegates to the First Continental Congress The delegates to the First Continental Congress

included the most important leaders of the American included the most important leaders of the American cause.cause.

The delegates passed the Declaration and Resolves The delegates passed the Declaration and Resolves that:that: asserted colonial rights;asserted colonial rights; declared 13 acts of Parliament in violation of their rights; anddeclared 13 acts of Parliament in violation of their rights; and pledged sanctions until the 13 acts were repealed.pledged sanctions until the 13 acts were repealed.

To enforce the sanctions, the delegates urged To enforce the sanctions, the delegates urged formation of Committees of Observation and Safety to formation of Committees of Observation and Safety to assume the functions of local government.assume the functions of local government.

The Committees organized militia, called extralegal The Committees organized militia, called extralegal courts, and combined to form colony wide congresses courts, and combined to form colony wide congresses or conventions.or conventions.

Lexington and ConcordLexington and Concord

Despite a stalemate between the British Despite a stalemate between the British and colonists in Massachusetts, the British and colonists in Massachusetts, the British government decided on military action.government decided on military action.

When British troops left Boston to capture When British troops left Boston to capture American ammunition at Concord, & American ammunition at Concord, & capture key Patriots, armed conflicts capture key Patriots, armed conflicts occurred at Lexington and Concord.occurred at Lexington and Concord.

Militia, not “minute men” [David Hackett Militia, not “minute men” [David Hackett Fischer]Fischer]

Deciding for Deciding for IndependenceIndependence

The 2nd Continental CongressThe 2nd Continental Congress

The Second Continental Congress The Second Continental Congress aimed to organize the defense of the aimed to organize the defense of the colonies.colonies.

The Congress designated the militia The Congress designated the militia forces besieging Boston as the forces besieging Boston as the Continental Army and made George Continental Army and made George Washington commander-in-chief.Washington commander-in-chief.

The Olive Branch Petition was The Olive Branch Petition was rejected by King George.rejected by King George.

Canada, the Spanish Canada, the Spanish Borderlands, and the RevolutionBorderlands, and the Revolution The rest of colonial North America reacted The rest of colonial North America reacted

in various ways to the coming war.in various ways to the coming war. The French Canadians did not support the The French Canadians did not support the

rebellion.rebellion. Several British Caribbean islands did Several British Caribbean islands did

support the Continental Congress but the support the Continental Congress but the British navy stopped any involvement. British navy stopped any involvement.

Spain adopted a neutral position officially, Spain adopted a neutral position officially, but secretly sought to help the Americans.but secretly sought to help the Americans.

Fighting in the North and SouthFighting in the North and South

Fighting continued throughout New England.Fighting continued throughout New England. An unsuccessful effort to take Canada ended An unsuccessful effort to take Canada ended

in the spring of 1776. in the spring of 1776. By March the British had been forced out of By March the British had been forced out of

Boston. [Bunker/Breed’s Hill]Boston. [Bunker/Breed’s Hill] British efforts in the South had also failed. British efforts in the South had also failed. In In Common SenseCommon Sense, Thomas Paine helped cut , Thomas Paine helped cut

Americans’ emotional ties to Britain and the Americans’ emotional ties to Britain and the King.King.

On July 4, 1776, Congress announced the On July 4, 1776, Congress announced the Declaration of Independence. Declaration of Independence.

"United we stand, divided we fall." "United we stand, divided we fall." AnonymousAnonymous, watchword of the American , watchword of the American Patriots Patriots

"Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God.""Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God." Anonymous, motto on Jefferson's seal, c. 1776Anonymous, motto on Jefferson's seal, c. 1776

"I only regret that I have but one life to lose "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country." for my country." Nathan HaleNathan Hale, Sept. 22, , Sept. 22, 17761776

"If this be treason, make the most of it"If this be treason, make the most of it." ." Patrick HenryPatrick Henry, 1765 , 1765

"The happiness of society is the end of "The happiness of society is the end of government. . . government. . . A government of laws, and A government of laws, and not of mennot of men. . . I must study politics and war, . . . I must study politics and war, that my sons may have liberty to study that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy, geography, mathematics and philosophy, geography, natural history and naval architecture, natural history and naval architecture, navigation, commerce, and agriculture, in navigation, commerce, and agriculture, in order to give their children a right to study order to give their children a right to study painting, poetry, music, architecture, painting, poetry, music, architecture, statuary, tapestry, and porcelain." John statuary, tapestry, and porcelain." John Adams Adams

". . . this would be the best of all possible ". . . this would be the best of all possible worlds, if there were no religion in it." worlds, if there were no religion in it." John John AdamsAdams (letter to Jefferson, 1816) (letter to Jefferson, 1816)

""History will ascribe the (American) History will ascribe the (American) Revolution to Thomas Paine.Revolution to Thomas Paine. . . . . Without the Without the pen of Paine, the sword of Washington pen of Paine, the sword of Washington would have been wielded in vain." would have been wielded in vain." John John AdamsAdams

"That government is best which governs "That government is best which governs least." least." Thomas PaineThomas Paine

". . . fight against them that fight against ". . . fight against them that fight against me." me." 35th Psalm35th Psalm

"I am not a Virginian, but an American." "I am not a Virginian, but an American." Patrick HenryPatrick Henry

""YesterdayYesterday the greatest question was decided the greatest question was decided which ever was debated in America; and a greater which ever was debated in America; and a greater perhaps never was, nor will be, decided among perhaps never was, nor will be, decided among men. A resolution was passed without one men. A resolution was passed without one dissenting colony, that these united Colonies are, dissenting colony, that these united Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent and of right ought to be, free and independent States." States." John AdamsJohn Adams (letter to wife Abigail, (letter to wife Abigail, July July 3rd3rd 1776) 1776)

""The second day of July, 1776The second day of July, 1776, will be the most , will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forwards continent to the other, from this time forwards forevermore.forevermore.'' John Adams'' John Adams