The Duel for North America - PowerPoint Presentation

Slide1

The Duel for North America

1608-1773Slide2

I. France Finds a Foothold in Canada

Latecomer to colonizing New World

Louis XIV took interest in colonial expansion

First successful colony Quebec 1609

Samuel de Champlain explore, solider, leader early French colonial effortsColony known as New FranceProblems with Iroquois hampered French conquest of Ohio River ValleyFrench colonies autocratic, no representative assemblies, no right to fair trailFavored Caribbean colonies because of sugar tradeSlide3

II. New France Fans Out

Most valuable resource in New France- beaver fur

Fur trappers (voyageurs) trapped beaver, recruited Indians into fur business

Traveled deep into wilderness, created ecological disaster by eliminating most of beaver population

French Missionaries attempted to “Christianize” Indians Voyageurs, missionaries vital role as explorers, geographersSlide4

II. New France Fans Out

French try to block British and Spanish expansion Detroit (1701), keep out BritishLaSalle claims Mississippi River Valley for France (Louisiana)

French fortify posts along river to keep out Spanish, protect beaver trade

Establish New Orleans (1718) to keep fur and grain flowing to mother country, keep MS River from SpanishSlide5

French, Spanish and English Settlers

Each country had different motives and settlement patterns

French

- friendly relations with Indians (comparatively), tried to convert Natives to Christianity, came in small numbers, extractive economic activity (fur trade), explored deep into continent, Catholic, had economic motives

Spanish- came to conquer (conquistador), looked for and found precious minerals, tried to convert Indians, blended their culture with Native culture, explored deep into continent to look for wealth, CatholicEnglish- came in larger groups (especially NE), settled and “improved” land, more religiously tolerant, wiped out Indian culture, established their own “footprint”, did not explore deep into continent, mostly Protestant Slide6

III. Clash of Empires

Four wars in the 17th and 18

th

century for economic control of Americas

King Williams War 1688-1697, Queen Anne’s War 1701-1713Did not involve large numbers of troops, America not seen as worthy of commitment from European powersUsually involved French and Indian allies attacking English colonial settlementsDeerfield, MA; Schenectady, NY scenes of most violenceSlide7

III. Clash of Empires

Treaty of Utrecht 1713 British defeat French

England controlled most of Canada except land along St. Lawrence River

End of war begins period of “salutary neglect”

War of Jenkins Ear 1739 between British and Spanish, mostly in Caribbean, some fighting in GAKing Georges War 1744-1748 Colonists and British capture fort at entrance to St. Lawrence River Peace treaty 1748 gives it back to France, enrages colonistsAs a result of wars British military more involved in coloniesSlide8

IV. George Washington Inaugurates War with France

Ohio River Valley becomes source of problems between British, French

Key to continent for French, linked colonial holdings

Region key to economic security for French

Land hungry British colonists attempt to secure “rights” to region French building forts to secure regionSlide9

IV. George Washington Inaugurates War with France

1754

Governor of VA sends group of militia to secure claims, led by George Washington

Encounter small group of French soldiers near Fort Duquesne (Pittsburgh)

French initially defeated, return with reinforcementsWashington forced to surrender1755 British authorities uproot 4,000 French from Nova Scotia, deportees end up in LA (Cajuns) Beginning of French and Indian WarWar began in America, others began in EuropeEngland and Prussia

vs. France, Spain, Austria, and RussiaBloodiest battles in Germany

“

America conquered in Germany

” British statesman William PittSlide10

V. Global War and Colonial Disunity

French and Indian War beginning of colonial unity

Before certain colonies had enjoyed advantage of remoteness, now needed to come together to fight French

1754

Colonists meet Albany, NY Plan to keep Indians in check, achieve colonial unity, common defense against French7 of 13 colonies show upBen Franklin “Join or Die” slogan, presents Albany Plan for colonial home rule (rejected by British), colonists could not agree on details

First sign of colonial unitySlide11

VI. Braddock’s Blundering and Its Aftermath

Indians allied with French, worried about British settlement

First part of war went badly for British

Slow moving, heavy artillery

Poorly supplied, poorly disciplined colonial militia Smaller French force defeated them at Ft. Duquesne (Pittsburg)Opened up frontier from NC to PA to Indian attackLosses began to pile up for BritishSlide12

VII. Pitt’s Palms of Victory

1757

- William Pitt becomes leader of London

gov’t

Stopped concentrating on West Indies, focused on CanadaUnderstood colonial concernsOffered colonists a compromise:col. loyalty & mil. cooperation-->Br. would reimburse col. assemblies for their costs.Remove oppressive

gov’t. officialsResult was improved colonial morale by 17581758

Louisbourg

defeated

32 year old James Wolfe (BR) commanded troops that attacked and defeated Quebec (1759)

1760

Montreal falls, last French stronghold

1763

Treaty of Paris

French give up all claims in NA

Spain received all land west of MS River and New Orleans

British emerged as dominant regional power, worlds most powerful navySlide13

VIII. Restless Colonials

Effects of the war on the colonies

Colonists came out of war confident, shattered myth of British invincibility

Colonists began to feel part of British Empire

Barriers of disunity began to dissolve Colonists found unity in language, tradition, idealsFriction between colonials and British officersColonials felt they deserved credit for war effortBritish said they did not support cause

Smuggling by colonists helped FR and SPBritish position – colonists demand rights, without paying dues, war increased British debtSlide14

IX. War’s Fateful Aftermath

With Fr. gone colonists could roam freely across Appalachian Mts. Spanish, Indian threat reduced

Indians could not play Br and Fr against each other

1763

Ottawa chief Pontiac (Pontiac’s Rebellion) led attacks on settlersBritish retaliated (gave Indians smallpox infected blankets) British saw need to stabilize frontier now that it was open to settlementSlide15

IX. War’s Fateful Aftermath

Proclamation of 1763

Prohibited settlement west of Appalachian Mts.

Designed

not to oppress colonists but to solve Indian problemColonists viewed it as form of oppressionSettlers went west anyway in defiance of royal authority Slide16

The Road to Revolution

1763-1775Slide17

I. Deep Roots of Revolution

Victory in Seven Years War costlyAfter 1763

British wanted colonists to take on financial burden

Crown began to exercise more authority (end of salutary neglect)

Change in policy reinforced sense of American identity American experience caused colonists to question ways of the Old World, colonists felt fundamentally different from BritishAmericans had grown accustomed to running own affairs, shock when British try to crack downTwo new political ideas emerged during colonial experience- republicanism, ideas of WhigsSlide18

I. Deep Roots of Revolution

Republicanism

Society where citizens subordinate selfish interests to common good

Stability of government depended on authority of “good” government

Opposed to authoritarian institutions (monarchy, aristocracy)Whig Political ThoughtResult of more royal authorityThreat to liberty by monarch

Warned citizens to be on guard against corruptionPeople should be represented by elected officials, not monarchsSlide19

II. Mercantilism and Colonial Grievances

British authorities embraced policy of

mercantilism

(countries wealth measured by gold and silver, needed to export more than import, colonies needed to supply mother country with raw materials)

Colonists felt British policies handcuffed American tradeColonies provided raw materials, acted a market for finished products Enumerated goods, certain products could only be shipped to EnglandTo the British the Americans were tenants, not built for economic self sufficiency or self governmentSlide20

II. Merits and Menace of Mercantilism

Merits of Mercantilism

British tried to regulate colonial trade (

Navigation Acts 1660, 1663, 1673, 1696)

Before 1763 Navigation Laws (with some exceptions) not a burden, lack of enforcement called “salutary neglect”Tobacco planters had a monopoly in Britain Americans had some form self-government. British mightiest army in the world, colonists didn’t have to pay for it.

Repressive laws weren’t enforced much, average American benefited much more than the average Englishman. Mistakes that occurred didn’t occur out of malice, at least until revolution.

France and Spain embraced mercantilism, enforced it heavily. Slide21

II. Merits and Menace of Mercantilism

Menace of Mercantilism

After enforcement of mercantilist policies fuse of revolution was lit

Stifled economic initiative

Dependent on British agents and creditorsState of perpetual economic adolescenceThe South, which produced crops that weren’t grown in England, was preferred over the North Colonists felt British were taking advantage of themSlide22

III. Mercantilism and Colonial Grievances

Currency shortage in colonies

Regularly bought more than they sold to Britain, trade with West Indies drained cash

Colonies needed hard currencyParliament prohibited colonies to print money, they did anywayColonists saw interests being sacrificed for British commercial interests British also could nullify any colonial legislation (did not happen often) Principle weighed more heavily than practiceSlide23

IV. The Stamp Tax Uproar

Half of British debt came from Seven Years War, wanted colonists to pay for own defense

Britain began to redefine relationship with colonies

1763

- Prime Minister George Greenville began to enforce Navigation Acts1764- Parliament passed Sugar Act- duty on imported sugar 1765- Quartering Act, required certain colonies to provide food and lodging troopsSlide24

IV. The Stamp Tax Uproar

1765 worst of all the Stamp ActMandated the use of stamps, certifying payment of tax.

Required on bills of sale for about 50 trade items and on certain types of commercial and legal documents.

Both the Stamp Act and the Sugar Act offenders tried in the

admiralty courts, where defenders were guilty until proven innocentGreenville felt taxes were justified, British paid much heavier taxSlide25

IV. The Stamp Tax Uproar

Colonists angry at fiscal aggression

Colonial assemblies refused to provide supplies for troops

Felt unfairly taxed for unnecessary

army, lashed out against the stamp tax. Americans formed the battle cry, “No taxation without representation!” Angered, to the principle of the matter Americans denied the right of Parliament to tax Americans, since none were in Parliament.

British idea of “virtual representation,” every Parliament member represented all British subjects (so Americans were represented).

Americans rejected “virtual representation”, began to consider political independenceSlide26

V. Forced Repeal of the Stamp Act

1765- Stamp Act Congress drew up statement of rights and grievances, asked king and Parliament to repeal tax

Congress made colonies feel unified against common cause

Colonists began to boycott imported British goods, more effective than congress

Ordinary people began to participate in colonial protests, opportunity for women “spinning bees”Slide27

V. Forced Repeal of the Stamp Act

Sons and Daughters of Liberty

took the law into their own hands

Punished people who purchased British goods, stormed the houses of important officials

Machinery to collect tax broke down, no officials to collect taxesHit England hard (25% of exports purchased by colonies)Parliament confused, Britons had to pay much heavier taxes1766, Parliament repealed the Stamp Act, passed the Declaratory Act, defined British had unqualified sovereignty over the colonies Slide28

VII. The Townshend Tea Tax and the Boston Massacre

Americans in rebellious mood after victory over Stamp Act

1767

Charles “Champagne Charley” Townshend persuaded Parliament to pass the

Townshend ActsRevenue to pay salaries of royal officials in AmericaTaxes on lead, paper, paint, and tea, later repealed, except tea. 1767- New York’s legislature suspended for failure to comply with the Quartering Act. Tea became smuggled, to enforce the law, Brits had to send troops to America Slide29

VII. The Townshend Tea Tax and the Boston Massacre

March 5, 1770, a crowd of about 60 townspeople in Boston were harassing some ten Redcoats.

One fellow got hit in the head, another got hit by a club.

Without orders but heavily provoked, the troops opened fire, wounding or killing eleven “innocent” citizens, including

Crispus Attucks, a black former-slave and the “leader” of the mob in the Boston Massacre. Attucks became a symbol of freedom (from slave, to freeman, to martyr who stood up to Britain for liberty). Only two Redcoats were prosecuted, represented by John AdamsSlide30

VIII. The Seditious Committees of Correspondence

1770- King George III good person, but a poor ruler who surrounded himself with “yes men”, like Lord North.

Townshend Taxes repealed, except for the tea tax, kept alive idea of parliamentary taxation

1772

- Resistance kept alive through Committees of Correspondence, organized by Samuel Adams1773- Inter-colonial committees established, exchanged letters, ideas and information, kept alive opposition across all coloniesSlide31

IX. Tea Brewing in Boston

1773- British East India Company, overburdened with unsold tea, was facing bankruptcy.

The British decided to sell it to the Americans,

Seen as an attempt to trick the Americans with the bait of cheaper tea to pay tax.

December 16, 1773, some whites, led by patriot Samuel Adams, disguised themselves as Indians, opened 342 chests and dumped the teainto the ocean in this “Boston Tea Party.” People in Annapolis did the same and burnt the ships to water level. Reaction was varied, from approval to outrage to disapproval.British felt they had no alternative but to whip colonists into shapeSlide32

X. Parliament Passes the Intolerable Acts

1774- Parliament passed a series of repressive acts to punish the colonies, namely Massachusetts.

Called the

Intolerable Acts

by Americans. The Boston Port Act closed the harbor in Boston. Self-government limited by forbidding town hall meetings without approval. The charter to Massachusetts was revokedThe Quebec Act

Intended by British to administer conquered territory Guaranteed Catholicism to the French-Canadians, retain their old customs, extended the old boundaries of Quebec all the way to the Ohio River (areas off limits by Proclamation of 1763)

Americans saw their territory threatened, aroused anti-Catholics, lack of representative assemblies or trial by jury seen as a dangerous precedent, land speculators see huge area taken awaySlide33

XI. Bloodshed

Philadelphia 1774- First Continental Congress

met to discuss problems.

Not wanting independence yet, came up with a list of grievances, ignored in Parliament.

12 of 13 colonies met, only Georgia didn’t have a representative there. Came up with a Declaration of Rights.Boycott of British goodsBegan to arm colonists

Split into three groups- moderates (wanted relationship with GB repaired) radicals (wanted complete split, minority) and

conservatives

(wanted to restore pre-1763 relationship)Slide34

XI. Bloodshed

The “Shot Heard ‘Round the World” April 1775

, the British commander in Boston sent troops to nearby Lexington and Concord, seize supplies, capture Sam Adams and John Hancock.

Minutemen, after having eight of their own killed at Lexington,

fought back at Concord, British retreat to Boston Beginning of American RevolutionSlide35

XII. Imperial Strength and Weakness

Britain had the heavy advantage: 7.5 million people to America’s 2 million superior naval power

great wealth, could hire mercenaries (German Hessians)

Little popular support in Britain

Whigs wanted American victory, feared George III arbitrary ruleGenerals poor, soldiers well trainedProvisions scarceFighting far from homeAmerican geography, lack of population centers gave Americans time, British fitsSlide36

XII. American Pluses and Minuses

Advantages Great leaders -George Washington (giant general), and Ben Franklin (smooth diplomat).

French aid (indirect and secretly), provided the Americans with guns, supplies, gunpowder, etc…

Marquis de Lafayette a great asset.

Fighting in a defensive manner, and they were self-sustaining. They were better marksmen. A competent American rifleman could hit a man’s head at 200 yards. Americans enjoyed the moral advantage in fighting for a justcause Slide37

XII. American Pluses and Minuses

Disadvantages Lacking in unity

Colonies resented the Continental Congress’ attempt at exercising power

Sectional jealousy over the appointment of military leaders

Americans had little money. Inflation also hit families of soldiers hard, and made many people poor. Colonial money worthless, inflation of prices for basic goods Americans had no navy. Slide38

XIII. A Thin Line of Heroes

American army was desperately in need of clothing, wool, wagons to ship food, and other supplies. Many soldiers had also only received rudimentary training.

German Baron von Steuben, who spoke no English, whipped the soldiers into shape

African Americans

fought in the beginning, many colonies barred them from service. By war’s end, more than 5,000 blacks had enlisted in the American armed forces. African-Americans served on the British side. 1775, Lord Dunmore, royal governor of Virginia, issueda proclamation declaring freedom for any enslaved black in Virginia whojoined the British Army. End of war more than 1,400 Blacks were evacuated to Nova Scotia, Jamaica, and England.

Many people also sold items to the British, because they paid in gold. Many people just didn’t care about the revolution, raising a large number of troops was difficult Select few threw themselves into the cause with passion