the road to revolution by: amanda glover. roots of revolution colonists felt physically and...
TRANSCRIPT
Roots of Revolution Colonists felt physically and
spiritually separated from Europe.
Colonists in America, without influence from superiors, felt that they were fundamentally different from England, and more independent.
Many began to think of themselves as Americans, and that they were on the cutting edge of the British empire.
Salutary Neglect
Mercantilism
in the Colonies
– Country’s economic wealth could be measured by the amount of gold or silver in its treasury.
– A country had to export more than it imported
– a favorable balance of trade.
– Countries with colonies were at an advantage, because the colonies could supply the mother country with raw materials, wealth, supplies, amarket for selling manufactured goods etc…
Results of Mercantilism Smuggling Early on, the laws were
only loosely enforced, which encouraged greater independence in the colonies
Burdened the colonists Evoked anger and
resentment Stifled economic
improvement and imposed dependence
Laws that Upset Colonists Navigation Acts: restricted trade
with any nation but England; loosely enforced
Grenville Acts: enforced the Sugar Act, imposed the Stamp Act and the Quartering Act
Townsend Acts: taxes on common goods, including the Tea Act
All these were enforced in Admiralty Courts.
Results of the Navigation Acts
Period of neglect Colonists gained independence Colonies began acting like an
independent country and ignored the English laws
Barter system “enumerated products”
Results of the Grenville Acts
Reinforced the Navigation Acts Angered the colonists The Stamp Act brought the first acts of
rebellion Organized the Stamp Act Congress in 1765
and started non-importation agreements against British goods
More rebellious groups formed Formed intercolonial unity
Stamp Act
Imposed a tax on all printed goods Effort to raise revenues for the military Grenville thought he was being fair, as the
British in England had a far worse Stamp tax
The colonists were angry and thought their liberties were at risk
Rebellious Groups
Slogan: “no taxation without representation”
Sons of Liberty and Daughters of Liberty– They would terrorize the stamp agents and
unpopular officials– Used methods of tar and feathers and
ransacking homes– Enforced nonimportation agreements
The Townsend Acts – 1767-1770
“Champagne Charley” imposed taxes on manufactured goods coming into the colonies – a violation of basic mercantilist principles
Duties on glass, paper, paint, lead, tea and other commodities led to increased hostility from colonists
Colonial protests began at the grassroots level John Dickinson sent a circular letter
titled “A Letter form a Farmer in Pennsylvania to the Inhabitants of the British Colonies” agruing against what he felt were illegal taxes.
Non-importation Agreements were renewed
Boston Massacre On March 5, 1770, a
crowd of 60 townspeople attacked 10 redcoats and the redcoats opened fired on the civilians, killing/wounding 11 of them.
The massacre was known as the Boston Massacre.
Crispus Attacks was the 1st to be killed.
Samuel Adams Had the “Green
Dragon” tavern Hosted rebels and
provoked rebellious thoughts
formed the first local committee of correspondence in Massachusetts in 1772 (Sons of Liberty).
Rebellious Groups
Mob attacking a excise man who collected the stamp tax making people not want to become tax collectors.
Tarring and feathering was a popular punishment.
Tea Act
The act forced colonists to only buy tea products from the East India Trading Co.
Although cheaper than other tea, the colonists felt angry, and again felt that their liberties were being compromised
The result: The Boston Tea Party
Boston Tea Party A drunken mob,
dressed as Indians pushed tons of tea into the Boston Harbor
All of Boston was considered responsible
The intolerable acts were imposed upon the Bostonians
Intolerable Acts Result of the Boston Tea Party Series of Acts to subdue Bostonians Quartering Act, Boston Port Act, lack
of money, and taxes, prohibition of town meetings and no jury with court hearings
Quebec Act Occurred at the same time as the intolerable
acts French could expand into the Ohio Valley
and retain customs and language
Quebec Act, cont. Expanded Quebec to
encompass Ohio River Valley
nullified many of the Western claims of the coast colonies by extending the boundaries of the province of Quebec to the Ohio River on the south and to the Mississippi River on the west.
1st Continental CongressSept-Oct 1774 Met in Philadelphia to
respond to Intolerable Acts
Suffolk Resolves Declaration of Rights and
Grievances Continental Association
The Association
Created from Continental Congress Complete boycott of British goods Sought to repeal the offensive legislation Rejected by Parliament nonimportation, nonexportation, and
nonconsumption.
Lexington and Concord – April 18, 1775
British tried to break rumors of colonial resistance
Sent to Lexington and Concord to capture John Hancock and Samuel Adams
Paul Revere and others warned the colonists about the British march
Colonials sent British on a 16 mile long retreat back to Boston
Paul Revere, William Dawes, and Samuel Prescott
Warned Lexington and Concord about the British plans
Americans were able to prepare and caught the British off guard in both villages.
Weaknesses Britain:
– Ireland oppression and rebellion
– France wanted revenge form past issues
– Lack of support– Incompetent generals and
badly treated soldiers– Far from home– No central target to
conquer
Colonial Strengths – Outstanding leadership– Hopes for foreign aid– Defensive fighting– Strong motivation– More logical fighting
styles
– Bad organization– Lacking unity– Jealousy– Economic difficulties/lack of money and
inflation– Lack of supplies– Badly trained soldiers– Disorganized government
- No foreign support
Colonial Weaknesses
Blacks during the Revolution Someought for the
Crown in the hope of freedom
Initially prevented from militia
Some earned freedom
Many went back into slavery.