ap chap. 7 theme1763 – 1775 the road to revolution the american revolution occurred because the...
TRANSCRIPT
AP Chap. 7 Theme 1763 – 1775The Road to Revolution
• The American Revolution occurred because the American colonists, who had long been developing a strong sense of autonomy and self-government, furiously resisted British attempts under mercantilism to impose tighter imperial controls and high taxes after the end of the French and Indian War in 1763. The sustained conflict over political authority and taxation, enhanced by American agitators and British bungling, gradually moved Americans from asserting rights within the British Empire to openly warring with the mother country. Each side had both advantages and disadvantages.
Something to think about…
• How revolutionary was the American Revolution??
I. The Deep Roots of RevolutionFirst a revolution of thought
England’s colonies settled largely by emigrants
Emigration to America
Food shortages
Disease
Cannibalism
Authorities unfit to tell people what to do; 13 independent parliaments of the colonies
Emigrants began to think of themselves as Americans
II. The Mercantile TheoryColonies founded informally by trading companies, religious groups, and land speculators
Exception of Georgia
Mercantilism
Theory that wealth = power
Colonies economic advantage to Britain
Britain exported more than imported
Colonies regarded as existing to help the mother country, esp. its navy, and supply what England couldn’t
III. Mercantilist Trammels on TradeNavigation Laws - 1650
Restricted commerce to and from colonies
Other European goods to colonies be taxed first
To keep $$ within empire
Enumerated goods like tobacco only for Eng.
Forbidden to manufacture certain products
for export so no competition with Eng.
Woolen cloth and beaver hats
No banks = no currency so printed own; forbidden
London regulated legislation passed in colonies
IV. The Merits of Mercantilism“Salutary neglect”
Smuggling increased (Hancock)
Benefits of mercantilism:
Liberal bounties/price supports
Monopoly of British market - tobacco
Rights of Englishman
Self-gov’t opportunities
British army protected against French, Dutch, Spaniards
Average American better off than average Englishman
V. The Menace of MercantilismColonies burdened with annoying liabilities and now the Navigation Acts will be enforced
N. felt S. colonies favored over them, but S. felt they were at mercy of British merchants
tobacco, sugar, and rice
Colonies felt England was milking them like cows (see background pic!)
“We revolted because England failed to recognize an emerging nation when it saw one.”
Teddy Roosevelt
VI. The Stamp Tax UproarVictory of French & Indian War = huge debt for Britain
Colonies asked to pay 1/3 of the cost of maintaining garrison for protection but not for costs of war
Grenville is Prime Minister
Enforced Navigation Laws more strictly in 1763
Sugar Act of 1764 – 1st law ever to raise tax revenue in colonies
Quartering Act of 1765 – house troops
Stamp Act of 1765 – paper goods, documents
Trials in admirality courts (no jury)
“No taxation without representation!” but British legislation ok
But British said “Virtual Representation” (but colonists didn’t really want representation because would be minority in House of Commons!)
Political Cartoons
VII. Parliament Forced to Repeal Stamp Act• Stamp Act Congress of 1765
– 9 colonies– Largely ignored by Eng.– Step towards intercolonial unity
• Non-importation agreements– Homespun goods*
• Sons and Daughters of Liberty – a bit violent
• Tarring and feathering• British people affected• Stamp Act repealed 1776• But… Declaratory Act to save
faceTarring and feathering
To the LadiesYoung ladies in town, and those that live round
wear none but your own country linen.
Of economy boast, let your pride be the most
to show clothes of your own make and spinning.
What if homespun, they say, be not quite so gay as brocades, be not in a passion.
For once it is known, ‘tis much worn in town, one and all will cry out, ‘tis the fashion!
VIII. The Townshend Tea Tax and the Boston “Massacre”
• PM Townshend enacts Townshend Acts in 1767– Indirect light tax on glass, white lead, paper, paint, tea– Revenue used to pay royal governors and judges
• Smuggling and non-importation• Bri. also suspended NY legislature• Bri. sends redcoats to Boston• Boston Massacre
– March 5, 1770; 10 redcoats v. 60 Americans
– Troops fired, 5 citizens killed,• Including Crispus Attucks
– John Adams = attorney for soldiers; 2 found guilty
Boston Massacre
IX. The Seditious Committees of Correspondence
• Townshend Acts repealed except for Tea Tax on principle
• Samuel Adams
– Committees of Correspondence in Massachusetts, then other colonies, then, with Virginia leading the way, inter-colonial committees
( the first American congresses)
– Nicknamed the “Penman of the Revolution”
Samuel Adams
X. Tea Parties at Boston and Elsewhere
• 1773 – revolution still not inevitable• British East India Co.
– 17 million pounds of unsold tea – ( signing
– Facing bankruptcy boycott)
– Gave co. monopoly of American business– Lower price for colonists, but…
• Boston Tea Party– 342 chests of teas dumped
into Boston Harbor• “To tax and to please, no more
than to love and be wise, is not given to men.” –Edmund Burke