Chapter 4

Section 2Issues Behind the

Revolution

Growing Tensions Native Americans in the Great Lakes region

were concerned about British interests. The British colonists were not hunters and

traders like the French. As farmers, the British represented a much

greater threat to Native American land and resources than did the French. The Native Americans tried to explain their concerns to British government officials, but the British government ignored them.

1763 Pontiac’s Rebellion

Fort Detroit

British “gifts” of smallpox-infected blankets from Fort Pitt.

The Aftermath: Tensions Along the

Frontier

• Indians in the Great Lakes region rebelled against British occupation. They destroyed every British fort in the region. The uprising was called Pontiac’s Rebellion, after one of the Ottawa leaders.

Pontiac’s Rebellion (1763)

British Proclamation Line of 1763.

Colonials Paxton Boys (PA)

BACKLASH!

In October, King George of Britain issued the Proclamation of 1763, closing the Great Lakes region to settlement by colonists. Colonists ignored the proclamation and other peace treaties between the British and Native Americans, and continued to settle in forbidden areas. Britain’s lack of success in halting the colonists’ migration further undermined its authority in America.

COSTS OF AN EMPIRE• The costs of governing and defending Britain’s

vast empire made the British people the most heavily taxed people in the world.

• While Britain struggled with its heavy debts and taxes, its colonies in America were prospering.

• The British government decided that the colonists should begin to pay some of the costs of their own government and defense.

Q-> What was the extent of Parliament’s authority over the colonies??

Absolute? OR Limited?

Q-> How could the colonies give or withhold consent for parliamentary legislation when they did not have representation in that body??

Theories of Representation

Colonists complained that the changes violated their rights as British subjects, but mostly they went along with them. Opposition to the next step was much stronger, however.

1. Sugar Act - 1764 marked the start of a new British policy designed to raise more income from the colonies.

2. Currency Act – 1764 colonists not allowed to issue paper currency.

4. Stamp Act – 1765

3. Quartering Act – 1765 required colonists to provide housing and supplies for British troops in America

PM George Grenville’s Program,

1763-1765

Stamp Act placed a tax on newspapers, pamphlets, legal documents, and most other printed materials.

The Stamp Act marked the first time that the British government taxed the colonists for the stated purpose of raising money.

Stamp Act Crisis

Colonist merchants began a boycott of British goods.

Sons (Daughters) of Liberty – (John Adams) Many were lawyers, merchants, and craftspeople - those most affected by the Stamp Act.

Stamp Act Congress – 1765 James Otis (M) led the argument called for “no taxation without

representation.”

Colonists begin to protest

Parliament repealed the Stamp Act, but imposed the Declaratory Act - This gave parliament supreme authority to govern the colonies..

Charles Townshend, Secretary of the Exchequer.

Townshend Duties Crisis: 1767-1770

* import taxes on goods, such as glass and tea. Colonists rebel, British troops sent to Boston to put down violent resistance.* A crowd threatened the British soldiers. Known as the Boston Massacre, the soldiers opened fire and killed five colonists. *Parliament canceled all the Townshend taxes, except for the duty on tea.

Boston Tea Party

Boston Massacre

December 16, 1773*In May 1773, the Parliament

passed the Tea Act, an act that gave a British company special tax exemption in the colonies.

*The American colonists protested and marched to the harbor where the three ships were docked and dumped 342 chests of tea overboard.

*The tea that was dumped was to be valued over 90,000 pounds which is equal to $159,611.25!

Intolerable Acts (Coercive )In March 1774, Parliament passed the Intolerable Acts, which

included closing Boston Harbor and imposing martial law. Intolerable Acts were:1. Quartering Act – Quartering of British soldiers in civilian

homes2. Quebec Act – It rearranged the Canadian Borders.3. Administration of Justice Act – It protected royal officials

accused of capital crimes. They had to be tried in England.4. Massachusetts Government Act– It gave the royal

government direct control over the colony down to town meetings.

5. Boston Port Bill – Closed Boston Harbor and reparations were made for the tea that had been destroyed.

First Continental Congress (1774)

55 delegates from 12 colonies (no GA!)Agenda How to

respond to the Intolerable Acts?1 vote per colony *renew boycott of goods *organize armed militias. *made a direct appeal to the king, outlining their grievances and asking for understanding.

The Shot Heard ’Round the World!

Lexington & Concord – April 18,1775

Conflict at Lexington and Concord* British learns of stockpile of weapons in Concord, set out to seize weapons

* sparked the Revolutionary War

*Boston Patriots learned about the British soldiers’ plan The battles that ensued became known as the Battles of Lexington and Concord.

Lexington and Concord