Road To Revolution

World Powers Collide

• Britain + France at war for control of “New World”

• 1607-1763 American Colonies are allowed to rule themselves

• This policy of ignoring the colonies was known as

• Salutary/Benign Neglect.

French and Indian War1754-1763

• As Americans push further west, against British wishes, they are attacked by Indians w/ French encouragement

• The British and French fight a series of wars in North America

• The last being the French and Indian war

Albany Plan of Union

• In 1754 Ben Franklin urged the colonies to join together against the Indian threat

• His plan was known as the Albany Plan of Union

British Victory

• The British defeat the French in 1763

• They now control North America

• War debt of $130 million.

• The American colonists will be asked to help pay down the debt

Britain Tightens its grip

• With France out of the way the British end their policy of Salutary Neglect.

• The British now want to re-establish a policy of Mercantilism.

• Colonies existing for the sole benefit of the mother country.

• They would now collect taxes on the thriving American trade.

New Taxes/Acts

• British create taxes Americans feel are unfair…???

• Americans don’t vote for Parliament members who create taxes… Not represented

• “No Taxation Without Representation”

• James Otis of Massachusetts was the leading voice for Americans

American Reactions to British Taxes

Sons of Liberty

Boston Massacre 17705 Americans Die

Gaspee Incident

• 1772 Rhode Island colonists burn and loot a British ship attempting to catch American smugglers.

Boston Tea Party 1773

Britain Attempts to end “Rebellion” in Massachusetts

• After the Boston Tea Party the British:

• Close Boston Harbor

• Eliminated self government in Massachusetts

• More Quartering of soldiers

First Continental Congress 1774

• Delegates from 12 colonies met in Philadelphia to discuss what to do about Massachusetts

• They decide to:• Create Militias in each

colony• Continue to

communicate through Committees of

Correspondence