3 things which lead to Revolution after French & Indian War

• 1. America is developing a unique “American” identity

• 2. Growing more economically independent

• 3. Imperial policies of England to collect taxes

Salutary Neglect

• 1713-1763- Americans see reduced government intervention in colonial affairs– Leave them alone=produce more wealth– Colonies develop self-reliance– 13 separate colonial governments emerge– Colonists get used to running own affairs

Mercantilist System

• Mercantilism-colonies exist for the benefit of the mother country

• Navigation Laws-purpose to enforce mercantilist system

• Molasses Act 1733- taxes on molasses, rum & sugar imported from French Caribbean

• Positives & negatives of mercantilism

Proclamation of 1763Proclamation of 1763• Law passed by parliament Law passed by parliament

forbidding British Colonists forbidding British Colonists from establishing settlements from establishing settlements west of the Appalachian west of the Appalachian Mountains.Mountains.

• The Law angered colonists, The Law angered colonists, who were quickly running who were quickly running out of land due to increasing out of land due to increasing population. population.

End of salutary neglect

• 1763 marks new era in relations between England & colonies:– Grenville tries to enforce

Navigation Acts

– Enormous debt from 7 yrs war- British want colonists to pay

– King George III sought increased control over colonies

– Proclamation of 1763

– Currency Act 1764-British restrict colonial printing of paper money

Legislative restrictions on colonists

• 1. Sugar Act= 1764– Designed to stop

smuggling and force ships to pay

-first act passed to specifically raise $ for the crown

• 2. Quartering Act=1765– Provide food &

housing to British troops at any time

Road to American Revolution Stamp Act= March 1765

• Required a royal stamp on all paper documents- ie. Birth certificates, legal documents, etc.

Soon all paper goods taxed

Colonial Protests• Colonial assemblies meet in

protest• Pass Non-Importation

Agreement= will not buy any British goods- hurt them where it hurts most- MONEY

• Patrick Henry- “Give me Liberty or give me Death!” Virginia Resolves= no taxation without representation

• Crown claims “virtual representation”

More Protests

• Ladies contribute to protests- produce “homespun”

• Sons of Liberty= protest group- rallies, petitions, meetings, tar & feather-led by Samuel Adams-yes…the beer guy!

Stamp Act Congress-Oct. 1765

• Nine colonies meet in NY

• Pledge loyalty and “warmest sentiments of affection” to the king…but…lighten up!

• Goal=Repeal of Stamp Act

• Britain responds with Declaratory Act-1766= we own you!

British Response to Colonial Protests

• Declaratory Act- 1766- Parliament can make any law against the colonists they want!

• Mutiny Act- reasserts the Quartering Act + Writs of Assistance= Blanket Search Warrants

2. Townshend Acts-1767

• Further taxes on paper, paint, glass & tea

• Named for Charles Townshend who takes over Parliament & wants to punish colonies for acting up over Stamp Act

• Colonial reaction=– John Dickinson-”Letters

from a PA Farmer”– Massachusetts Circular

Letter

Boston Massacre- Mar. 5, 1770• Boston= center of protest• Snowball fight gets out of

hand• 5 dead• Crispus Attucks• When Americans die,

Americans want revenge!• Townshend Acts repealed