The Glorious Cause

Why the American colonists revoltedagainst their British

oppressors

Precursors to War

• 1756-1763: French & Indian War- fought in U.S. British ran up huge war debt. Expected colonists to help pay it off.

• Stationed standing army in colonies- Colonists expected to quarter, feed & support British troops

• Anti-militaristic tradition in colonies- Colonists felt that idea of army in colonies & having trade controlled by them was equal to “slavery”

Taxation

• Parliament (G.B.) passed many acts & tax laws that colonists resented

• Proclamation of 1763: G.B. gave land west of Appalachians to Native Americans. Colonists had desire to expand westward themselves. Were resentful.

• Sugar Act (1764): Meant to ease war debt. Taxes on molasses & sugar strictly enforced. Cut back on colonial smuggling that had been overlooked before.

The taxes keep coming…

• Sugar Act regulated trade. Deep Depression at this time. Hurt the colonies.

• Stamp Act of 1765. Parliament passed tax on all official documents. $ was to pay for troops in NA. Colonists hated it. Got Parliament to eventually repeal it.

• Main gripe: Parliament had no right to tax people that had no colonial representatives in government.

Other Acts…

• Declaratory Act (passed the same day the Stamp Act was repealed) – Parliament had full right “to bind the colonies and people of America in all cases whatsoever.”

• Tea Act (1773): Meant to save British East India Co. from bankruptcy. Created monopoly. Newly formed Sons of Liberty responded w/ Boston Tea Party. Boston Harbor closed as colonial punishment.

• Intolerable Acts (1774)

Colonists begin to Organize

• In response, Committees of Correspondence est. to protect rights of colonists. Letter writing, gripe sessions, etc.

• 1st Continental Congress formed. 12 colonies sent reps to Phil, PA. Began boycott of all British goods. Shows colonies working together. British gov’t responds heavily with violence. Sees colonies as committing acts of treason.

“Shot Heard Round the World”

• Patrick Henry quote. Refers to tiny battle that takes place at Lexington & Concord in 1775.

• American militia in Concord faces British troops. Paul Revere’s famous ride.

• At end of battle, “British have 273 casualties to 88 American.”

• New military techniques seen.• Thus begins the war for American

Independence.

2nd Continental Congress

• War has become inevitable• Many move for full independence, led by John

Adams• Begin formation of continental army led by

George Washington.• Appoints a committee to prepare formal

Declaration of Independence. Written by Thomas Jefferson who uses many of John Locke’s ideas in final draft.