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