Toward Revolution
I. The colonies in the Empire
A.Mercantilism
1. Kept colonies prosperous
2. Protected colonies
3. Closed economic system- Navigation Laws
4. For good of empire
5. Hat Act, Iron Act- colonies couldn’t produce hats and iron.
6. Shipbuilding
7. Triangular trade
8. Colonial cities: Philadelphia, New York
*Changed because of French and Indian War*
II. Impact of the Great War for Empire (1754- 63)
A.War Americans wanted the British to fight
1.War for America- felt pinned in by French threat
a. French Canada-
2. French had good relations with the Indians
3. Puritans v. Catholics
B.Impact of War
1. Britain’s National Debt increases
a. 1754- 75 million pounds
b. 1763- 145 million pounds
2. England has twice as much territory
III. Changes in the Empire
Leads to the decision of…
A.More rational approach to Empire
1.Regulate more
2.Centralized authority
B.Colonies should help pay off National debt (impose taxes)
1.colonists have never been taxed for revenue
a.regulate taxes for Custom Duties, but not Revenue taxes.
C.Sugar Act 1764-
D.Stamp Act 1765-
1.Stamp Act Congress
a.Mob action
1.Tar and feather
2.Lt. Governor Hutchison had his house destroyed and his furniture chopped up (Mass.)
E.Constitutional issues
1.Patrick Henry- Virginia House of Burgesses
a.“ We’re not cheap, but we object because there’s no American in Parliament”
b.“ No taxation without representation”
c.“ Give me liberty or give me death”
F.Declaratory Acts
1.Stamp Act repealed
G.Townshend Duties 1767
1.Charlie Townshend
2.Import taxes
3.Indirect taxes
4.Because of trouble Sent increased number of troops
* Used to pay Royal Gov. and judges in America*
* N.Y. legislature suspended for refusal to comply with Quartering Act*
5.Resistance
a.Sons of Liberty
b.Mob Action- Radicals
c.Boycotts- Non Importation agreement
6.Motivation
a.Like Patrick Henry
b.Unemployed dock workers
H.Difference in concept of Representation
1.Britain believed in Virtual Representation- every Member of Parliament represents all of Britain.
2.America argued for Deputy representation- Congress represents own district.
I.Townshend Duties repealed (except tea)
1.Pressure from British Merchants
2.Lesson learned by British
a.Americans won’t do anything to help support Empire
b.Disloyal
c.Only way to get them to support the Empire is by FORCE
d.How much do we want America to pay taxes?
e.Increase number of troops
f.Guarding warehouses
g.Gangs going around throwing rocks and beating each other.
3.Lesson learned by Americans
a.British will back down if they stand firm
b. committees of Correspondence- formed in M.B.C. Spread to other colonies. They spread propaganda.
J.Boston Massacre 1770
1.British view- soldiers attacked by threatening mob
2.American view- murder
a.Samuel Adams
b.Paul Revere
K.Tea Act 1773
1. Way to break down American argument
2. Wanted to get taxes out of America
3. Britain granted the British East India Company a monopoly on all the tea because they were heavily in debt.
4. Britain uses surpluses of tea to break resistance
5. they sold tea at very low prices lower than market
6. America thought if they accepted the tea they would accept the tax. Showing that all their resistance in the past was for no real reason and America is just cheap. No principles.
7. America feared they were right
8. The only way to stop it is to keep it from landing.
L. Boston Tea Party
1. Dressed up as Indians
2. They were all well led and disciplined-not mob like
3. Asked captain for keys to locks then poured all the tea into the harbor
M. British Response
1. trouble for Boston
N. Coercive Acts/ Intolerable Acts
1. Closed port of Boston
2. Mass. Government Act
a. Dramatically increases power of governor- General Assembly only allowed to meet once a year.
b. Bans town meetings
3. Quartering Act
a. Appropriate property to warehouse soldier
b. Unconstitutional by British law
4. Administration of justice Act (murder Act)
5. Quebec Act
Colonial Response
1. 1774 Continental Congress Formed as a result of the Coercive Act
a. Endorsed Suffolk Resolves
b. Prepare for defensive action (Minute Men)
c. Declaration of Rights and Grievances sent to King.
O. Lexington and Concord
a. American was storing up arms at Concord.
b. British intention to destroy arms and arrest ringleaders (John and Samuel Adams, John Hancock).
c. Shot heard around the world
P. 2nd Continental Congress meets in response to fighting
a. Olive Branch Petition
b. George Washington as Commanding General of Continental Army
Q. Decision for Independence
a. Common Sense
b. Declaration of Independence