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AMERICAN HISTORY I
Path to Revolution
What events led to the American
Revolution and the establishment of
the United States?
The Gaspee Affair
Townshend Acts had created a lot of ill will … but smugglers went back to work British sent patrols to enforce customs duties
The Gaspee harassed merchant vessels off the Rhode Island coast Ran aground in June 1772 Colonists captured crew, burned ship to waterline BOOM!
British furious – colonists feared retaliation
All colonies established committees of correspondence to communicate, resist British policies
“The Burning of the Gaspee “Rhode Island Historical Society
The Boston Tea Party
Colonial merchants smuggled in cheap Dutch tea to avoid paying British taxes
British East India Company struggling financially Tea Act (1773) lowered shipping costs, making British tea
cheaper Allowed direct sales to shops – no “middlemen”!
Committees of correspondence supported merchants Agreed to return all British tea, unsold, to Britain Customs officer in Boston refused to send ships back unless tax
paid!
Samuel Adams and the Sons of Liberty organized a protest Around 150 colonists (badly disguised) boarded the tea ships Broke open 342 chests of tea, and dumped them into the harbor Protest known as the “Boston Tea Party”
“Rally, Mohawks! Bring out your
axes
And tell King George we’ll pay
no taxes
On his foreign tea!”
Let’s Talk About It…
Is it acceptable to break the law to make a political
point?
The Last Straw
In spring 1774, British prime minister Lord North, Parliament passed the “Coercive Acts” Boston Port Act – closed Boston Harbor Massachusetts Government Act – appointed British
governor, outlawed town meetings Administration of Justice Act – British officials to be
tried in Britain (not angry colonial juries)
New Quartering Act required colonists to provide lodging in private homes, if necessary British government anticipating need to maintain order Soon, 2,000 more troops sent to New England
General Thomas Gage named new governor of MA
The “Intolerable Acts”
Colonists: Coercive Acts a punishment for their demand that their rights be respected!
Quebec Act in July, 1774 caused more outrage Allowed colonists there to retain French language, laws Colony to be governed by appointed council, governor Gave Quebec coveted territory in the Ohio River valley! Seen by other colonies as weakening of power of colonial
assemblies
Collectively, Coercive Acts and Quebec Act called “intolerable” by the colonial press
Other colonies rallied to support Massachusetts
The First Continental Congress
Virginia House of Burgesses: British actions in Boston a military invasion!
British ordered VA House dissolved in May, 1774 Virginia leaders asked other colonies to stop trade Invited colonial delegates to a colonial congress
The First Continental Congress met in Philadelphia on September 5, 1774 Anniversary of “Boston Massacre” four years earlier Delegates from all but Georgia attended
The Delegates Decided…
To support Massachusetts and endorse the Suffolk Resolves Boycott British imports, and limit exports Disobey Massachusetts Government Act, Boston Port Act Demand resignation of royal government appointees Refuse payment of taxes until repeal of restrictions on MA Royal authority not recognized in Massachusetts! Colonies should raise their own militias
To issue a new Declaration of Rights and Grievances Claimed continued loyalty to the king … but condemned the Coercive Acts
To form a non-importation association to coordinate boycott
To reconvene in May, 1775 if crisis continued
Massachusetts in Rebellion Former Massachusetts assembly members
organized Provincial Congress
John Hancock led Committee of Safety – with the power to call up militia
Provincial Congress asked all colonial militia leaders to resign (weed out loyalists!)
Colonists began raiding British military depots and stockpiling ammunition, powder
Towns (like Concord) created specialized teams of “minutemen”
As other colonies followed Massachusetts’ lead, British control over colonies weakened
John Hancock
Samuel Adams
Loyalists and Patriots
Loyalists, or “Tories” Supported the British government and king Represented a cross-section of society – farmers, ministers,
royal appointees born in the colonies Relatively fewer in number at this time
Patriots in the colonies called “Whigs” Somewhat insulting British term used to describe non-
conformists, rebels Believed the king, Parliament had become tyrants! Favored constitutional government over absolute royal
authority Predominantly businessmen, merchants in New England, VA
Revolution a “civil war” also – divided friends, families
It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace-- but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!
--- Patrick Henry, March 23, 1775
“One if by land, two if by sea…”
By April, 1775 Gen. Gage ordered to arrest members of the Provincial Congress Decided to seize colonial militia’s supplies in Concord 700 troops sent out on April 18
Dr. Joseph Warren discovered Gage’s plan Paul Revere, William Dawes sent to warn militia Revere signaled British plans with two lanterns at the old
North Church
Revere captured at Lexington; Dawes turned back
Dr. Samuel Prescott continued on to warn the men at Concord
Blue – Paul Revere’s routeGreen William Dawes’ routePurple Dr. Prescott’s routeRed British troops’ route
Lexington and Concord
On April 19, 1775 the British troops found 700 minutemen waiting on Lexington Green British gave orders to disperse … but a shot was fired (who, why unknown!) and the Revolution
began! British opened fire, killing 8 and injuring 10
British troops found Concord depot empty
Colonial militiamen waiting for them at North Bridge, where fighting forced British retreat Militia, colonials harassed, attacked troops on return trip 99 British troops killed, and 174 wounded
Other New England colonies sent militia to fight the British
By May 1775, the British were surrounded, trapped in Boston!
Battle of Bunker Hill
Second Continental Congress met in May, 1775 Situation had worsened – focus now on defense “Continental Army” formed with militia in Boston George Washington of VA chosen to command
Colonial militia dug in at Breed’s Hill to defend hills north of Boston Commander William Prescott: “Don’t fire until you see the whites
of their eyes!” When Gage’s 2,200 men approached (50 yards or so away), the
Americans opened fire
Battle of Bunker Hill (as it was called) a huge morale boost! 1,000 British casualties Confidence – had fought a world power, and hadn’t backed down
Let’s Talk About It…
Do you think reconciliation between Britain and the colonists was possible at
this point?
Why or why not?
Extending the “Olive Branch”
Not all colonists wanted a complete break from Britain
Continental Congress sent the king an “Olive Branch Petition” in July 1775 Last attempt to resolve differences Asserted loyalty, asked for peaceful resolution
At the same time, the delegates had also ordered an attack on British colony of Quebec Quebec colonists not interested in joining the fight Bad timing convinced the British the time for reconciliation
had passed
King George: colonists in rebellion “open and avowed enemies” of Britain!
On Their Own
Continental Congress took on responsibilities of government Negotiating with Native Americans Postal system (thanks to Benjamin Franklin) Creating continental Navy, Marine Corps
Southern planters convinced to join patriots’ cause Feared losing land, labor force (slaves!) – VA governor promised
freedom to those enslaved by “rebels” Demonstrated economic importance of slavery to southern economy
Loyalists suffered early defeats■ Norfolk, VA (Dec. 1775); Moore’s Creek, NC (Feb. 1776)■ General Howe forced to evacuate Boston (March 17, 1776)
British shut down trade, ordered blockade, hired mercenaries!
Frederick, Lord North
King George III
Gen. Thomas Gage
Gen. William Howe
The Power of “Common Sense”
Common Sense a 1776 pamphlet by Thomas Paine Attack on king (power seized from the people!) Time to declare independence from the “tyrant”
Pamphlet strongly influenced popular opinion 20% of people in the colonies had a copy Helped gain support for independence in the provincial congresses
Paine took no profits from his writings, and spent much of his own funds on relief efforts for troops
Declaring Independence
Continental Congress adopted a formal resolution for independence in July, 1776 Written by Thomas Jefferson Issued on July 4, 1776
The 56 signers took great personal risk – treason!
Declaration of Independence significant to our history – and as an important example for others First time a colony had declared itself independent! Explained reasons for their action Other colonies around the world – and groups seeking
civil rights – have used our Declaration as a model
Let’s Talk About It…
Why do you think the Founders thought it
important to formally declare independence
from Britain?
Examining the Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence has 4 main sections:
The Preamble – why is this action necessary now?
The Declaration of Natural Rights – reiterates Locke’s ideals People have natural rights, and must consent to government People have a right to rebel if rights obstructed, or power abused
The List of Grievances – specific ways in which American colonists have been deprived of their natural rights
The Resolution of Independence – justifies decision, claims full power and authority to govern themselves
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