A.P. U.S. History Mr. Krueger - PowerPoint Presentation

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A.P. U.S. HistoryMr. Krueger

American Revolution

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Revolutionary Movement

1

st

movement towards revolution came from the gentry (rich) who resented the Parliament’s efforts to control colonial life

Leaders asked ordinary citizens to get involved:

Riots

Petitions

Soldiers

Information was distributed through newspapers, sermons, and pamphlets

They were involved: with the exception of the Civil War, more Americans died in the Revolution (proportionate to population)

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An Expectant Society

Colonists of the 1760’s did not anticipate independence

They enjoyed a time of optimism and nationalism

Young population continued to grow (60% were less than 21 years old)

Many of the Americans were not even alive when the roots of the Revolution began

Colony comparison:

Southern colonies enjoyed great wealth – large capital investment in slaves and exports for a world market

Middle colonies – increased exports

New England – lacked the ability to export large quantities

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Roots of the Imperial Crisis

1760 – George III at 22 years of age becomes King of England

Not well educated and weak politically

Destroyed the government structure of George II

He was unqualified and lasted a short time

Few qualified leaders followed George III and showed indifference toward the American Colonies

Any information was long in coming from the colonies (4 weeks) so rumors became true accounts

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Imperial Crisis Continued

Parliamentary sovereignty

– the English viewed Parliament as the dominant figure, the colonist did not share that feeling

Sharing sovereignty made no sense to the English ruling class

Thomas Hutchinson – royal governor of Massachusetts – stated there is no middle ground between Parliament and the dependent colonies

Discussion point “It is impossible there should be two independent legislatures in one and the same state”

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No Taxation without Representation

Americans questioned their need to maintain the supremacy of Parliament

1763 – Colonists defended the power of the assembly

The Massachusetts assembly has the same power as the House of Commons in England

No Taxation without Representation became the issue

Parliament felt the colonists were represented

John Adams

: stated an assembly should mirror its constituents. He felt members of Parliament could not think like Americans, so they could not represent them.

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Connecticut Assembly

No law can be or abrogated without the consent of the people, by their representatives.

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Politics of Virtue

The colonists had a strong moral component

This was not understood by Parliament or American Loyalists

The reason could involve their strong beliefs (Great Awakening)

American political beliefs were borrowed from English writers

Example:

John Locke

– Two Treatises of Government

He felt all people possessed natural and inalienable rights

Deserved the right of life, liberty, and property

Stated that agreements must have the consent of the people

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Politics of Virtue

Commonwealth tradition

John

Trenchard

– Thomas Gordon (political opponents)

Felt power was dangerous, and it would destroy liberty unless countered by virtue

What does this mean?

Theme of revolutionary political writing:

Public Virtue

– sacrifice of self interest to the public good

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Politics of Virtue

1760’s – Would the colonists continue their opposition to taxation and standing armies

Opposition in Connecticut described Britain's leaders as pimps and parasites

Colonial newspapers spread the ideas through the colonies

The white males of the northern colonies were literate

Colonists now could monitor events in large cities a great distance away, this drew Americans together

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Eroding the Bonds of Empire

The Seven Years War created a huge debt for Britain

George III planned to keep a large standing army in the colonies to protect them from Native Americans (not so), and preserve order in Quebec and Florida

Creates more debt

English citizens heavily taxed

On the frontier troops were thin

This was shown when Native Americans (

Ottowas

,

Miamis

, Creeks) proposed to stop western expansion

Neolin

(spiritual leader) got Pontiac an

Ottowa

warrior to commit to the cause.

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Eroding the Bonds of Empire

The Pontiac Uprising killed several thousand western settlers on the Virginia – Pennsylvania frontier

Proved that the British could not protect the colonies

The colonists intended to settle west of the Appalachians, but the

Proclamation of 1763

forbid land grants west of that point

George Grenville was assigned to the debt problem, he wanted colonists to contribute to the debt. This gave rise to English Policies.

What were some of the policies we discussed earlier?

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English Policy

The Sugar Act

redefined the relationship between Great Britain and America

Parliament expected the colonies to generate revenue

Colonial Reaction:

It taxed them in a manner inconsistent with their rights and privileges as British subjects

Deprived them of their right to levy taxes themselves

Most reaction was from the upper class who had a stake in commerce

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Birth of Popular Politics

Stamp Act

was expected to generate major revenue – it would validate documents

Colonel Isaac

Barre

stated the colonists were the Sons of Liberty and wouldn’t go down without a fight.

This fell on deaf ears

In VA’s House of Burgesses

Patrick Henry

voiced a strong opinion against the Stamp Act

Collections were illegal, unconstitutional, and unjust and will destroy American Liberty

This resolution didn’t pass

The opposition to Henry within the House accused him of treason

Newspapers throughout the colonies reported the

Virginia Resolves

(Henry’s opinion against Stamp Act)

In some colonies it was reported that all the resolutions had passed – raises the alarm bell for royal governors

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Popular Politics

Nine colonies sent representatives to New York (1765) to meet as the

Stamp Act Congress

Provides opportunity for leaders from different colonies to meet

Petitions drafted, discussed the idea that taxes shouldn’t be issued without consent

Resistance to Stamp Act spread across social classes

It taxed: Deeds, Marriage Licenses, Playing Cards

In Boston they burned the

effigy

of Andrew Oliver (tax collector), and when he didn’t resign they burned his office

Nov. 1, 1765 – tax collectors resigned in most parts – stamps stopped being sold

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Popular Politics

The Sons of Liberty coerced colonial merchants to boycott British goods until the Stamp Act was repealed

Also threatened to

tar and feather

Many joined the boycott

Boston Newspaper stated – Save your money to save your country

Women contributed in the colonies

Altered clothing style

Homespun clothing

Shunned imported items that were taxed

They were discriminated against – no voting, no civil office

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British Reaction

George III did not like Grenville, replaced him with Lord Rockingham who feared public speaking

Urged the repeal of the Stamp Act, but Grenville a member of Parliament thought otherwise

William Pit (war hero from 7 years war) and B. Franklin supported Rockingham

Stamp Act Repealed, but to maintain strength the

Declaratory Act

was issued – gave Parliament supreme power over the colonies

British merchants unhappy about repeal of Stamp Act – said colonies best watch out.

The Stamp Act Crisis had weakened colonial respect for Parliament, the authority of Royal Governors, custom collectors, and military personnel

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British Reaction

Rockingham gave way to William Pit (Earl of Chatham) – but was old and had gout so was often away from Parliamentary decisions

His chancellor – Charles Townshend made decisions

Townshend Revenue Acts

taxed paper, glass, paint, lead, and tea. Established the

American Board of Customs

Regarded as more taxation without representation – colonists were getting better at protesting

Sons of Liberty led boycotts against British goods

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92

The Massachusetts House of Representatives drafted the

Circular Letter

Attacked the Townshend Acts

Viewed as Treason by Lord Hillsborough

His demands were voted down (92 to 17)

Circular Letters now became the cause for many colonies

The Massachusetts Royal Governor dissolved the house

Colonists wore the number 92 as a symbol of Patriotism and nationalism

Troops were sent in – Result – Boston Massacre

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Aftermath

Lord North becomes new chancellor after Townshend dies – ends the Townshend Acts, but keeps tax on tea to demonstrate British control

Loyalist Americans emerge – results in an end to the boycotts, but debt continues to rise

Thomas Hutchinson becomes governor – he was American, but a Loyalist

1773 Parliament passed the Tea Act – pulls British East India Company out of Bankruptcy

Problem – Tax collected in American Harbors

Undercuts colonial merchants dealing with the Dutch for tea.

Hutchinson does not allow the boycotts of tea to continue, British ships fill Boston Harbor.

Boston Tea Party

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Decisions for Independence

Coercive Acts follow Boston Tea Party

Closed Port of Boston

Quartering Act

Committees of Correspondence – shadow government agencies led by the Patriots against the British

September 5

th

, 1774 – 1

st

Continental Congress

12 of the 13 Colonies

Diverse views

Tried to reason with George III – no compromise

Shot heard around the world – war begins

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Second Continental Congress

May 1775

Formed Continental Army

G. Washington as Leader

Purchased Military supplies, issued paper money to pay for war

Did not declare independence

Dec. 1775 – Parliament passes Prohibitory Act – War on American Commerce

Thomas Paine met with B. Franklin in England – came back to the colonies

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Thomas Paine and Independence

Wrote “Common Sense” an essay telling Americans to declare independence

Referred to George III as a royal brute

It was a democratic manifesto

Convinced commoners to break with Britain

Europe, not England, is America’s parent country

July 2, 1776 Congress voted for Independence

12 states voted (12-0)

Thomas Jefferson drafts a formal declaration, accepted two days later

Much of the declaration consisted of grievances against George III

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