“The Revolution was effected before the war commenced. The Revolution was in the minds and hearts of the

people” 1818, John Adams

“The Revolution was effected before the war commenced. The Revolution was in the minds and hearts of the

people” 1818, John Adams

•“Americans were reluctant revolutionaries”

•Until very late, they only wanted the “rights of Englishmen”.

•“Americans were reluctant revolutionaries”

•Until very late, they only wanted the “rights of Englishmen”.

Conclusion of French & Indian War made England the supreme power in North

America

Kept 10,000 troops in the frontier= very costly

English government had 140 million pounds in debt after the war (1/2 gained by

defending the colonies)

Ideological Roots of RevolutionIdeological Roots of Revolution

1.1. **RepublicanismRepublicanism- (1750’s) a just society is one in - (1750’s) a just society is one in which all citizens willingly subordinate their private which all citizens willingly subordinate their private interests to the common good.interests to the common good.

• Opposed to hierarchical & authoritative institutionsOpposed to hierarchical & authoritative institutions2.2. *“*“Radical WhigsRadical Whigs”- British political commentators; ”- British political commentators;

feared the threat to liberty posed by arbitrary power of feared the threat to liberty posed by arbitrary power of the monarch & his ministers. the monarch & his ministers.

• Warned citizens to watch out for corruption & Warned citizens to watch out for corruption & conspiracies to rob them of their liberties.conspiracies to rob them of their liberties.

• Predisposed colonist to be suspicious of any threat to Predisposed colonist to be suspicious of any threat to their rights. their rights.

• Edmund Burke (1729-1797)Edmund Burke (1729-1797)• John Locke, Adam Smith, Adam Ferguson, Thomas John Locke, Adam Smith, Adam Ferguson, Thomas

Paine and David Hume Paine and David Hume

Mercantilism & Tenancy v. LibertyMercantilism & Tenancy v. Liberty

• A country must export more than it imports to A country must export more than it imports to amass wealth in gold or silver = power.amass wealth in gold or silver = power.

• Colonies provide raw materials & a guaranteed Colonies provide raw materials & a guaranteed market for British goods.market for British goods.

• Navigation Act 1650Navigation Act 1650 (first in a series of laws (first in a series of laws meant to enforce mercantilism)meant to enforce mercantilism)

• All commerce to & from the colonies could be All commerce to & from the colonies could be transported only in British (including colonial) shipstransported only in British (including colonial) ships

• Other laws- American merchants must ship Other laws- American merchants must ship “enumerated” products like tobacco exclusively to “enumerated” products like tobacco exclusively to BritainBritain

• Cash shortage-Cash shortage- colonists resorted to nails, pitch, colonists resorted to nails, pitch, feathers for exchange= colonies issued paper feathers for exchange= colonies issued paper money= British Parliament prohibited the practice.money= British Parliament prohibited the practice.

• Parliament reserved the right to nullify colonial Parliament reserved the right to nullify colonial laws= veto only used 469 times out of 8,563 laws. laws= veto only used 469 times out of 8,563 laws.

Advantages & Disadvantages of Advantages & Disadvantages of MercantilismMercantilism

• Until 1763-Mercantist policy like Until 1763-Mercantist policy like Navigation Acts- loosely enforcedNavigation Acts- loosely enforced

• Many Americans smuggled & Many Americans smuggled & disregarded laws (John Hancock)disregarded laws (John Hancock)

• Britain paid bounties to American Britain paid bounties to American producers of ship parts over British producers of ship parts over British competitorscompetitors

• Virginia tobacco = monopolyVirginia tobacco = monopoly• Colonists protected by British army & Colonists protected by British army &

navynavy• DisadvantagesDisadvantages- stifled economic - stifled economic

initiative, dependence on British initiative, dependence on British creditorscreditors

The King’s Ministers

• Lord Bute (advisor to the King) 1762-1763

• Lord Grenville (1763-1765)-Stamp Act

• Marquis de Rockingham• Earl of Chatham• Duke of Grafton• Lord North (1770-1782)• William Pitt

The Stamp Tax Uproar & George The Stamp Tax Uproar & George GrenvilleGrenville

• Seven Years war= 140 million pounds in Seven Years war= 140 million pounds in debt for Englanddebt for England

• 1763- Prime Minister 1763- Prime Minister George Grenville George Grenville ordered the British navy to strictly ordered the British navy to strictly enforce Navigation Laws.enforce Navigation Laws.

• The Sugar ActThe Sugar Act (1764)- 1 (1764)- 1stst law passed law passed by Parliament to raise tax revenue in the by Parliament to raise tax revenue in the colonies for the crown.colonies for the crown.

• Increased duties on foreign sugar Increased duties on foreign sugar imported from the West Indiesimported from the West Indies

• Colonists protested and…duties were Colonists protested and…duties were substantially lowered. substantially lowered.

The Quartering Act (1765)The Quartering Act (1765)

• Required certain colonies to provide Required certain colonies to provide food & quarters for British troops.food & quarters for British troops.

• Colonies refused to comply in order Colonies refused to comply in order to protest the Stamp Act.to protest the Stamp Act.

•**Tax on legal documents, playing cards, newspapers, etc.•A direct tax which went to the British government.•**Paid for debt and British troops in the Colonies.

•**Colonists hated the Stamp Tax = “taxation without representation”•British tax collectors were tarred and feathered…..

•* Colonist offenders= tried in admiralty courts•Stamp Act protests led by the Sons of Liberty…..

•* British citizens had been paying a Stamp Tax for 2 generations!

Stamp Tax

                                                                   

Colonial Protest Against the Stamp Act

• “No taxation without representation”(seaport & tidewater towns denied

representation to backcountry pioneers!!) • “legislation” vs. “taxation”- Parliament has

the right to legislate for the empire (including regulation of trade).

• Only colonial legislatures could legally tax them

• Grenville argued that the colonies were “virtually represented”

• Did the colonies really want true representation in Parliament??

BritishlawsBritishlaws

Stamp Act Protests: 1765 to 1766

•Between 1765 to 1766, the Sons of Liberty led over 40 protests up and down the

colonial coastline.•Most of the protests are

located in the Middle Colonies up through the New England Colonies.

•Successful in forcing the British Parliament to repeal

the Stamp Act.

Q->Q-> What was the extent of Parliament’sWhat was the extent of Parliament’s authority over the colonies?? authority over the colonies??

Absolute?Absolute? OR OR Limited?Limited?

Q->Q-> How could the colonies give or How could the colonies give or withhold consent for withhold consent for parliamentaryparliamentary legislation when they did not legislation when they did not havehave representation in that body?? representation in that body??

Theories of Theories of RepresentationRepresentation

Theories of Theories of RepresentationRepresentation

The Stamp Act Congress The Stamp Act Congress (1765)(1765)

• Meeting in NYMeeting in NY

• 27 delegates representing 9 27 delegates representing 9 coloniescolonies

• Wrote a list of rights & grievances Wrote a list of rights & grievances to be given to the King.to be given to the King.

• Step toward colonial unityStep toward colonial unity

• Ignored in England & coloniesIgnored in England & colonies

Non-Importation Non-Importation AgreementsAgreements

• More effective than Stamp Act More effective than Stamp Act CongressCongress

• Colonies agreed not to import Colonies agreed not to import British made goodsBritish made goods

• ““home spun’ made in colonieshome spun’ made in colonies

• Important stride to unityImportant stride to unity

• United people to a common action United people to a common action for the first timefor the first time

                         

    

                           

  

                    

      

•Enforced non-importation with “tar & feathering” of

violators.

•Intimidated stamp act tax collectors

•The Sons of Liberty was a secret society formed in

protest of British rule. •They had a large role in the

repeal of the Stamp Act and the Boston Tea Party.

•9 original members which included the leaders Samuel

Adams and Paul RevereSamuel AdamsSamuel Adams

Paul Revere

BritishlawsBritishlaws

•Stamp Act of 1765Stamp Act of 1765

•Stamp Act collection fell apart in 1765 when it was to go into effect.

•British citizens hurt by colonial boycotts urged Parliament to **repeal the act-1766.

*Declaratory Act, 1766*Declaratory Act, 1766•declared Parliament had the power to tax the colonies both internally and externally, and had absolute power over the colonial legislatures. 

Costs of Costs of Colonial Colonial

ResistanceResistance

Costs of Costs of Colonial Colonial

ResistanceResistance

17671767 William Pitt, P. M. & Charles William Pitt, P. M. & Charles Townshend, Secretary of Townshend, Secretary of the Exchequer. the Exchequer.

A Shift from paying taxes for Br. Shift from paying taxes for Br. war war debts & quartering of troops debts & quartering of troops paying col. govt. salaries. paying col. govt. salaries.A He diverted revenue collection He diverted revenue collection from from internal to external trade. internal to external trade.A Tax these imports Tax these imports paper, paint, paper, paint, lead, glass, tea. lead, glass, tea.

A Increase custom officials at Increase custom officials at American ports American ports established a established a Board of Customs in Boston. Board of Customs in Boston.

Townshend Duties Townshend Duties Crisis: 1767-1770Crisis: 1767-1770Townshend Duties Townshend Duties Crisis: 1767-1770Crisis: 1767-1770

**The Townsend Acts 1767The Townsend Acts 1767

• Included a Tax on glass, lead, Included a Tax on glass, lead, paper, paint, & paper, paint, & teatea. .

• Townsend argued that the new tax Townsend argued that the new tax was an “indirect tax”was an “indirect tax”

• Tax on tea= 1 million colonist drank Tax on tea= 1 million colonist drank itit

***Money from tax was to be used to ***Money from tax was to be used to pay salaries of Royal Governors & pay salaries of Royal Governors & judges in America= ending “power judges in America= ending “power of the purse”. of the purse”.

* Disbanded the NY legislature (1767) * Disbanded the NY legislature (1767)

Colonial Protest Against the Colonial Protest Against the Townshend ActsTownshend Acts

• Revived Non-Importation agreements Revived Non-Importation agreements (not as effective as those against (not as effective as those against Stamp Act).Stamp Act).

• Colonists took them less seriouslyColonists took them less seriously1.1. Enjoying new prosperityEnjoying new prosperity2.2. The tax was light & indirectThe tax was light & indirect3.3. Could smuggle at cheap prices (esp. Could smuggle at cheap prices (esp.

in Mass.)in Mass.)** 1768- two regiments of troops landed in ** 1768- two regiments of troops landed in

BostonBoston

1.1. John DickinsonJohn Dickinson 1768 1768 ** Letters from a Farmer inLetters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania Pennsylvania

12 essays uniting colonist against 12 essays uniting colonist against Townshend Acts.Townshend Acts.

““If at length it becomes undoubted that an inveterate resolution is If at length it becomes undoubted that an inveterate resolution is formed to annihilate the liberties of the governed, the English formed to annihilate the liberties of the governed, the English history affords frequent examples of resistance by force. What history affords frequent examples of resistance by force. What particular circumstances will in any future case justify such particular circumstances will in any future case justify such resistance can never be ascertained till they happen. Perhaps it resistance can never be ascertained till they happen. Perhaps it may be allowable to say generally, that it never can be may be allowable to say generally, that it never can be justifiable until the people are fully convinced that any further justifiable until the people are fully convinced that any further submission will be destructive to their happiness.”submission will be destructive to their happiness.”

——Letter IIILetter III

Colonial Response to Colonial Response to the Townshend Dutiesthe Townshend DutiesColonial Response to Colonial Response to

the Townshend Dutiesthe Townshend Duties

Colonial Resistance to Colonial Resistance to Townshend ActsTownshend Acts

*2. *2. “Daughters of Liberty”“Daughters of Liberty” ** spinning beesspinning bees

3.3. Riots against customs agents: Riots against customs agents: ** John Hancock’s ship, the John Hancock’s ship, the LibertyLiberty.. ** 4000 British troops sent 4000 British troops sent to Boston. to Boston.

1768—1770, British 2 regiments of soldiers arrived in Boston, MA to maintain order and enforce the taxes the colonists were asked to pay after the French and Indian.

The people of Boston resented the British soldiers and considered them a foreign presence.

1770

March 5, 1770, @60 colonists gathered & threw

snowballs at a squad of English soldiers.

11 citizens killed or wounded (Attucks)

5 days pervious- a 10 year old boy was killed

during a protest of a merchant who defied the

boycott of England

Used as propaganda to convince people of the

colonial cause.

Boston Mass.Boston Mass.

Boston Mass.Boston Mass.

1770

Committees of Committees of CorrespondenceCorrespondence

• Organized by Organized by Samuel AdamsSamuel Adams, cousin to John , cousin to John AdamsAdams

• 1772- formed 11772- formed 1stst local local CCommittee ofommittee of CCorrespondencorrespondencee in Massachusetts in Massachusetts

• 80 towns Massachusetts set up Committees of 80 towns Massachusetts set up Committees of Correspondence = exchanged letters in Correspondence = exchanged letters in opposition to British policyopposition to British policy

• 1773 on… all colonies had 1773 on… all colonies had CommitteesCommittees of of CorrespondenceCorrespondence = increased unity = forerunner = increased unity = forerunner of the 1of the 1stst American Congress. American Congress.

• SignificanceSignificance: stimulated united action; evolved : stimulated united action; evolved directly into the 1directly into the 1stst American congress. American congress.

Was Rebellion Inevitable?Was Rebellion Inevitable?

• By 1773- nothing happened to By 1773- nothing happened to make rebellion inevitable.make rebellion inevitable.

• Non-importation was weakeningNon-importation was weakening

• Colonists were reluctantly paying Colonists were reluctantly paying the tea tax (legal tea now cheaper the tea tax (legal tea now cheaper than smuggled tea) than smuggled tea)

Tea Act, East India Company•Made it illegal for the colonies to buy non-British tea

and forced the colonies to pay the tea tax of 3 cents/pound= still very cheap

•The Colonists had to buy tea from the East India Tea Company----gave them a monopolymonopoly

•Colonists angered- considered it a trick•Not a single chest of tea shipped by the company

reached consumers (ships forced back to England)

•Gov. Thomas Hutchinson of Boston refused to submit to the crowd

The Boston Tea Party (1773)

• Hutchinson- tea tax is unjust but, colonists cannot disobey the law.

• Ordered tea ships to unload all tea at Boston harbor

• Dec. 16, 1773- @ 100 Bostonians disguised as Indians boarded the ships & dumped 342 chests overboard

• Hutchinson left Boston

Boston Tea Party

•To the British, the Boston Tea Party represented a crucial change

in the relationship with the Colonies, an act of defiance.

•Parliament passed a series of new laws to punish the colonists

•Called the “Intolerable Acts”

Boston Tea Party

1.Boston Port Act- Closed the port of Boston from Colonial trade until

colonists paid for the damages to the tea.

Other “Intolerable Acts”…• Restrictions on Town Meetings

• Officials who killed colonists sent to Britain for trial (unlike in the past)

• New Quartering Act- local British officials could lodge troops anywhere- even private homes.

Exports & Imports: 1768-1783

The Intolerable Act closed the port of Boston from Colonial

trade and placed

Massachusetts under martial

law.

•After the Boston Tea Party the British send more troops to enforce the Intolerable Acts.

•Colonial militias prepare for war.

The Quebec Act-1774The Quebec Act-1774• PurposePurpose- help Britain manage 60,000 - help Britain manage 60,000

plus French subjects in Canada.plus French subjects in Canada.• Gave French subjects of Britain right to Gave French subjects of Britain right to

Catholic religionCatholic religion• Right to old institutions but still no right Right to old institutions but still no right

to trial by jury or representative to trial by jury or representative assembliesassemblies

• Extended Quebec boundaries into the Extended Quebec boundaries into the Ohio River Valley.Ohio River Valley.

• OutcomeOutcome- angered land speculators in - angered land speculators in British American colonies, angered anti-British American colonies, angered anti-Catholics.Catholics.

• Seemed a threat to American colonial Seemed a threat to American colonial rights of representation & jury trials. rights of representation & jury trials.

                        

  

•* 12 of 13 colonies sent delegates (55 men)•Moderates argue with Radicals whether or not to go to war.•Representatives send a document **“Declaration of Rights and Grievances” in 1774 to King George and Parliament•The Association was established- called for complete boycott.

DOI-2DOI-2

•Colonies send their representatives to

Philadelphia to form a Congress in response to the Intolerable Acts

in 1774•Main goal was to try

and negotiate with King George and

Parliament

The AssociationThe Association

• One of the most important outcomes of One of the most important outcomes of the 1the 1stst Continental Congress Continental Congress

• Called for complete boycott of British Called for complete boycott of British goods: non-importation, non-exportation, goods: non-importation, non-exportation, non-consumption.non-consumption.

• DID NOT YET CALL FOR DID NOT YET CALL FOR INDEPENDENCE INDEPENDENCE

• Britain rejected Congress’s petitionsBritain rejected Congress’s petitions• Militias began to drillMilitias began to drill

•British commander in Boston sent troops to

Lexington & Concord to seize gunpowder & arrest

leaders Sam Adams & John Hancock

•Stopped at Lexington and encountered 56 “Minutemen”

•8 Colonists killed

SHOT HEARD ‘ROUND THE WORLD

Americans

•90 dead wounded or capturedBritish •70 killed

•300 dead, wounded, or captured

•Minutemen engage British troops at Concord

Bridge.

•British find some weapons at Concord.

•British return to Boston, 5,000 Minutemen attack

British troops.

British Military Advantages & Disadvantages

• Population- 7.5 million Britons to 2.5 million colonists• Professional army= 50,000 men (money to hire foreign

mercenaries like German Hessians)• 50,000 American Loyalists & Indians• Disadvantages: 1. Second-rate generals2. Soldiers brutally treated3. Provisions were scarce4. Distance- operating 3,000 miles away from home

base- communication issues5. Colonists geographical area 1000 miles by 600 miles-

no apparent nerve center (Britain captured every major city during the war-but without effect).

British Weaknesses• Conflict in Ireland- drew British

troops from America

• France waiting to attack a weakened Britain

• Many British people had no desire to war with American cousins

• Whigs (a minority) openly cheered colonial victories—at first.

American Plusses & Minuses

Military

1. Outstanding leadership- George Washington- Ben Franklin; European officers (Marquis de Lafayette)

2. Fighting a defensive war –that favored them

3. Self-sustaining agriculture for food

4. Moral advantage- a just cause

American Disadvantages1. Unorganized for war- lacked unity• Continental Congress directed the war –was a debating

society.• Fought war without a constitution (1781-Articles of

Confederation).2. States resented attempts by Congress to exert control3. Sectional rivalry- some NE military leaders preferred British

officers to Americans4. Shortage of currency- printed “Continentals”= depreciated=

inflation skyrocketed= desertions. 5. Shortage of military supplies (leads to alliance with France)6. Shortage of manufactured goods (clothing, shoes)7. American militia= unreliable, poorly trained, served short

terms • 7,000-8,000 regulars trained by war’s end- Baron von

Steuben helped train troops. 8. Morale – undermined by American profiteers & speculators

African-Americans • 5,000 served for America by war’s

end– initially barred from service.• Mostly from northern states (mostly

free blacks).• Blacks also served on the British

side (Lord Dunmore’s Proclamation of 1775- offered freedom for any enslaved black in Virginia who joined the British).= 1000’s joined

• After the war- 14,000 blacks evacuated to Nova Scotia, Jamaica, & England to freedom

Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle?

What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty

God!         

I know not what course others may take but as for me:

““Give me liberty or give Give me liberty or give me death”.me death”.

                        

  

•Organized first American army called the Continental Army and Organized first American army called the Continental Army and appointed George Washington as our Commanding General.appointed George Washington as our Commanding General.

•Willing to stay part of the empire but King must “redress our Willing to stay part of the empire but King must “redress our grievances”grievances”

•OLIVE BRANCH PETITION ADOPTEDOLIVE BRANCH PETITION ADOPTED

•Came together Came together again after the again after the

battles of battles of Lexington and Lexington and

Concord, May 10, Concord, May 10, 1775.1775.

•Colonial leaders met in Philadelphia, PA to discuss their options in response to the Intolerable Acts.•The decision was to negotiate with King George III and send him a declaration of their willingness to remain British.•BUT, they have grievances (problems) which they want the King and Parliament to address.•AND, they instructed the local militias in each town to begin preparing for war with the MINUTEMEN!

Who would be our first commanding general?

•2nd Continental Congress based their decision on the following:•Political•Economic•Military•Social

George Washington John Hancock

George Washington was chosen based on his qualifications.

•First US Army made up of volunteers, militias and

Minutemen.

•George Washington chosen as the first Commanding

General.

•Not an army of professionals but mostly

farmers.

•Lacked the discipline of a professional army at first….

•Lacked resources, men weren’t paid and some quit after the first few battles.

•2nd Continental Congress lacked $$$$ to supply army…