The American Revolution

By :Manny Moyet Dean Bidgood

Matthew Leone

IntroductionMany events in early American history have

had a significant influence on the United States forming the declaration of Independence from British rule. After 150 years of self governing, and limited tax paid to the crown of England, American Colonist were being forced to comply with new tax acts that will alter, and forever change their way of life. These taxes were heavily opposed, and came with great consequences to both sides. History will show them to be directly responsible for the American Revolution.

Molasses act of 1733The Molasses Act was a tax imposed on

colonists of six pence per gallon of Molasses. This Act was passed by parliament at the request of the British West Indies plantation owners. At this time, the British West indies were Britian’s greatest trade resourcse and the colonies were increasingly importing the lower priced sugar and molasses from non-colonies British Indie islands. Parliament implemented a tax on mollases imported to the colonies from its rival nations to drive up the sale of British molasses. It was set to expire in 1763. (Boundless, ch.3,sec 1)

Outcome of Molasses ActThe result of this act in the colonies

was not as planned by the British. Instead of colonists changing their molasses supplier, they resorted to acts of smuggling and bribery of customs officials. The act had not set in place affective means in which to enforce the collection of the tax. The unwelcomed tax and its ease of avoidance further united the people of the colonies and their resistance of British rule. (Boundless, ch.3, sec.1)

Sugar Act of 1764At the expiration of the Molasses Act,

Parliament put into effect the Sugar Act. It served as a continuance of the molasses Act and was to assist in the payment of British debts from the French and Indian war. Further, the Sugar Act was devised to be more strictly enforced than its predecessor. The idea of the colonists paying for Britain's war was another source of resentment. (Boundless, ch.2, sec 3)

Outcome of the Sugar ActWith the increased enforcement of the act,

smuggling and bribery were becoming more risky. Colonists began to succumb and pay for the tax, forcing them to raise their prices and depleting currency reserves. This greatly decreased the rum exports of specifically New England. In August of 1764, James Otis and Samuel Adams of Boston led a boycott of British goods. This movement sparkled similar actions taken in New York and strengthened the self-sufficiency of the colonies with increased manufacturing. (Boundless, ch.2 sec 3)

Stamp Act of 1765The Stamp Act imposed by Parliament was

unprecedented in the fact that it forced the colonists to pay for a tax stamp on many British goods from playing cards to legal papers( Video: The Revolution, 4:00). It was a put into place to pay for a large peacetime army stationed in the Colonies, largely in part to keep the soldiers employed. British officials felt that the colonists should pay for their protection. The colonists did not take well to the stamp act which directly affected all ranks of society. (Boundless, ch.3 sec. 1)

Outcome of the Stamp ActThis act directly led to the formation of the

Stamp Act Congress, the first official elected gathering of colonial representatives. This congress met in 1765 in New York City to organize British tax resistance. Colonists believed they were being treated unfairly because they had no representation in Parliament in regards to how taxes are levied upon them. The congress responded with the Declaration of Rights and Grievances. They also filed appeal to the Parliament and King. This marks a significant unified colonial resistance. (Boundless, ch. 3 sec. 2)

“Sons of Liberty”In 1765 the formation of the Sons of Liberty

was done in response to the Stamp Act. Leaders such as Samuel Adams led this movement which quickly spread to all 13 of the colonies. The sons had members from all social classes and spread the word of independence and liberty to other colonists through writings and organized protests. As this group grew in popularity it strengthened to become a “shadow” government and pushed British officials out of power in the colonies. (Boundless, ch.3 sec. 2)

“Loyal Nine”

The group of Boston merchants known as the “ Loyal Nine” organized street demonstrations and pushed for boycotting of British goods. These demonstrations often turned violent. James Otis, commander of the Boston Gazette, was a prominent leader of the protests. This lead the greater organization of rebellion efforts (Boundless, ch.3, sec. 1)

Virginia Resolves

The Virginia resolves were a publication of resolutions by the Virginia House of Burgess claiming the British parliament has no right to tax them with no parliamentary representation. this went against British law in which taxes cannot be levied without representation. The resolves led to many of the Stamp Act Riots. As Massachusetts Governor Thomas Hutchinson said “ Nothing extravagant appeared in the papers till an account was received of the Virginia Resolves”. Word of the resolves fueled a colony wide dissatisfaction in the Act ( Boundless, ch.3, sec.1)

The Quartering ActThe Quartering Acts of 1765 ordered

the American colonies to provide housing and basic life provisions for the soldiers of the British standing army occupying the thirteen colonies.

Intention of the Quartering ActThe intention of the Quartering Act was for the

colonists to alleviate the cost of boarding for British soldiers during peacetime, after the Seven Years War.

Before the Act: Colonists supplied goods and provisions during the

war but took issue to supporting them post warThe colonists felt it was not their duty to facilitate the

soldiers during a time of peace, as they were not occupied before the French and Indian War

Lt. Gen. Thomas Gage asked Parliament for assistance in persuading the colonists to support the troops

Outcome of the Quartering ActParliament passed the Quartering Acts as an

amendment to the Mutiny Act. The Acts surpassed what Lt. Gen. Gage had expected.

Why the colonists disputed the Acts:• The colonists disputed the legality of the Acts

because they interpreted this as a violation of the Bill of Rights of 1689

• They questioned the need of a standing army while at peacetime

• Again, the Americans cried “no taxation without representation” as they had no voice in Parliament to rebut the Act

ContinuedThe Parliament felt the taxation was

justifiable because the troops had previously fought for the colonies in the French and Indian War and considered the tax as dues owed. They believed it was time for the colonists to support the cause that earlier supported them. The Parliament expected a sense of gratitude from the Americans and began to view the colonists as a drain on their economy. They also anticipated help alleviating the additional cost of the standing army..

Conflicting principles began to breed tension: 1766- New York, Colonists refused the entry of a shipload of

1,500 British troops Parliament suspended New York’s Governor and legislature

for failing to comply with the Quartering Act. The suspension was not upheld, as the Assembly of NY would

eventually contribute money to the quartering of the troops. The Quartering Act was circumvented in all colonies other

than Pennsylvania, and would expire in 1967 Proper representation of the colonists in Parliament may

have been the only possible way to avoid the conflict that followed the Quartering Acts

Reference: Boundless Text; US History to 1877, Chapter 3, Section 1

Townshend Acts“ In 1768, the Townshend Acts were placed upon the

colonists to tax a variety of common items that were manufactured in Britain and exported to the colonies.”

The colonists were fervently opposed to the Townshend Acts and there was general unrest in the port city of Boston

The British colonials in Massachusetts and throughout the colonies believed the Act was an encroachment on their constitutional rights

In May of that same year, British troops were sent to Boston to protect crown appointed officials and to enforce the recently passed taxations.

Boston Massacre

“ On that night, the foundation of American Independence was laid.”- John Adams

King street Massacre in the making A young boy, Christopher Seider, is shot and killed by a customs

employee on February 22nd,1770 peaking unrest and anger towards the crown.

11 days later on March 5th, an altercation at the Custom House between colonist Edward Garrick and a British soldier escalates to the point of physical violence.

British Private Hugh White is enraged to the point of striking Garrick with the butt of his rifle.

Back up in the form of 8 armed soldiers arrived to support Private White. Shortly after, 100 or more colonials would hear of the incident and gather around the scene.

Taunting, name-calling, and the launching of objects,( including the infamous ice ball) by the crowd would drive the soldiers to the hasty discharge of their weapons leading to the death of 5 Bostonians.

Aftershock and Propaganda “Although five years passed between the massacre and

outright revolution, and direct connections between the massacre and the later war are somewhat tenuous, it is widely perceived as a significant event leading to the violent rebellion that followed.”

Paul Revere created a sketch of the Massacre that would enrage the colonials and spark a portion of the fury that would change the views of public opinion towards the crown.

Tensions remained high on both sides for the following four years as any small movement or ordeal could have pushed the Americans into an early war and the British would do all they could to avoid that.

7 of the 9 British soldiers put on trial for the Massacre were acquitted of any crime, 2 were convicted of manslaughter

Outcome of Townshend Act The Townshend Acts, meant to pay the salaries of governors and

judges in order to take the power of the purse away from the colonies, played a large roll in the events leading to the Massacre

Once again, the colonials were rightfully angered by their lack of representation in Parliament.

Had the boycotts resulting from the Acts not failed, tensions in the city may not have been as high.

The anger over the killing of Christopher seider may have been inappropriately aimed towards British soldiers, an event that added fuel to the fury of the colonists at the time of the Massacre

Reference: Boundless Text; US History to 1877, Chapter 3 Section 2 Taxes and Smuggling- Prelude to Revolution: Crash course US History #6

The Tea Act/Tea Party

Defintion and OutcomeThe Tea Act was a small tax levied on Colonists as an

attempt to get revenue and to ensure colonists buy tea from the East India Tea company.

It also offered tax exemptions and rebates on tea coming from East India Tea company.

The tax itself was minimal and actually lowered the cost of tea for Americans

The Act was repulsive to the colonials not for the cost associated but for the principle involved

The British Colonials wanted to make a point that they would not accept any taxation without representation- no matter how minimal.

Boston Port Act

• One of the acts was the Boston Port Act which closed the port of Boston to all commerce. The Bostonians as a whole had to repay for the destroyed tea in the Boston Tea Party. This enraged people who were not involved and was seen as unjust treatment by the King. Another part was the Massachusetts Government Act in which the King appointed all government officials in Massachusetts. This destroyed the adopted democratic organization they had enjoyed (Boundless, ch.3, sec.3)

Coercive Acts

The Coercive acts were a series of laws passed by the British Parliament pertaining to the British colonies of North America. They were enacted in response to the Boston Tea Party as punishment specifically to Massachusetts. Parliament hoped to fear the other colonies with a show of force in Massachusetts and dampen the colonial resistance. Within one year of these acts being set forth the outbreak of the Revolutionary War occurred ( Boundless, ch.3, sec.3)

First Continental Congress

In response to the Coercive Acts the First Continental Congress was formed. 56 members of 12 of the 13 colonies meet to discuss the push against British Colonial policy. They petitioned the King for grievances and requested their liberties to be returned. Delegates also encouraged colonies to from militias. Though at this point the Congress did not request succession from Britain, this initial meeting of delegates would spur the meeting of the Second Continental Congress in which they do. (Boundless, ch.3, sec. 3)

Second Continental Congress

The Second Continental Congress met after the King’s rejection of the First’s requests. By this time blood was being shed in the war. Official military organization was declared necessary for colonial protection and a resolution of independence was written. This resolution was passed throughout the colonies as the militias convened to rouse the ideas of independence in all of the people ( Boundless, ch.3, sec.3)

Articles of Association

The Articles of Association was put in effect as a total Colonial ban of British goods. It also blocked colonies from exporting to Britain. The Colonists wanted the Coercive Acts repelled in return for the trading rights. This was countered by a British blockade of fishing territories. This tension of back and forth suppression and power struggle will prove too much for war to not ensue (Boundless, ch.3, sec.3)

The Battle of Lexington and ConcordThe Battles of Lexington and Concord are

generally considered the start of the American Revolution. British General Thomas Gage received instructions, on April 14, 1775, to disarm the rebels and imprison their leaders Samuel Adams and John Hancock among them. In the morning Gage awoke to find Boston besieged by a huge militia army numbering 20,000 which had marched from throughout New England. The rumors of fighting were true, and the Revolutionary War had begun.(Boundless, ch.4, sec 1)

Declaration of IndependenceWhen Thomas Jefferson drafted the

Declaration of Independence on July,4,1776 it signaled the beginning and the end. It came with an incredible amount of courage, sacrifice and pride of country. The end severed all ties with Britain by expressing the colonies grievances with its motherland. The beginning was the birth of our foundation as Americans. “That all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, among them being Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness”

Works CitedBoundless Text; US History to 1877, ch,

2, 3, 4, sec.1-4 History of America, “The Revolution

Part 1”. https://youtu.be/UWEiBwtUHWw. April 23, 2014. May 22, 2015