From Empire to Independence Chapter 5 The Imperial Crisis Britains relationship with the colonists changed. Britain ended policy of salutary neglect. New Troubles on the Frontier Pontiacs (chief of the Ottawa) Rebellion. Proclamation Line (1763) No westward colonization past line in an effort not to secure peace on the frontier with the Indians. George III The Imperial Crisis George Grenvilles (First Minister and Lord of the Treasury) New Measures New vice-admiralty court had jurisdiction over all colonies. Sugar Act (1764) taxed sugar/molasses (actually cut it by half but actually enforced), foreign wine, coffee, textiles, etc. Purpose to raise revenues for defense not just to regulate trade as had been done in the past. The Imperial Crisis Currency Act (1764) colonies could no longer issue their own paper currency; whatever was in circulation was worthless Quartering Act (1765)required colonists to provide provisions and barracks or submit to the use of inns and vacant buildings. Stamp Act (1765) tax on all printed documents (newspapers, deeds, licenses, college diplomas, even playing cards). The Beginning of Colonial Resistance Grenville program appeared to herald tyranny Cry of no taxation without (actual) representation British response of virtual representation Stamp Act Congress (1765) Decides that England has the right to regulate colonies but could not have taxes for revenues. Form of legal opposition. Sons of Liberty Form of extra-legal opposition. Organized mobbing to intimidate stamp agents and encourage them to resign Adoption of non- importation agreements of English goods. Patrick Henry Repeal of the Stamp Act Declaratory Act (1766) Grenville leaves office. Lord Rockingham repealed the Stamp Act. But reserved the right of Parliament to make laws binding on the colonies. Also reduced the tax on sugar to less than the cost of a bribe. This left open the debate between internal and external taxes. The Townshend Acts Felt that colonists were fine with external (indirect) taxes Taxes various colonial imports (eventually repeals taxes on everything but tea a token of parliamentary authority) Quartering in New York Suspends the New York Assembly until it agreed to provide quarters for the British troops stationed in the colony. The Townshend Acts Shifting responsibilities in government Establishes a Board of Customs Commissioners to prevent smuggling. Revenues were to pay the salaries of governors and other officers and thereby release them from financial dependence on the assemblies. Boston Massacre (March 5, 1770) Grew out of crowd reaction and heckling of British soldiers who were occupying Boston. Soldiers competed with lower class for jobs Soldiers kill 5 colonists out of a protest mob; injure 8. All but two soldiers were acquitted after being defended by John Adams, the other two were convicted of manslaughter and branded on the thumb. Parliament repealed all Townshend duties except on tea in Two years of relative peace followed. Republicanism Balance of Power and Liberty Conceived of politics as a struggle between the people (homogeneous entity) and power-hungry rulers whose aspirations could be contained only within mixed governments like that of England. In England, corruption had sapped the willingness of the commons to hold out against their rulers. Popular Sovereignty (deferential politics) Authority and liberty flowed from the structure of personal relationships Independent Society (economic) Virtuous Society (moral) Private interests were suppressed for civic virtue. From subjects to citizens. Tension Resumes Tea Act (1773)Lord North Duty free import of tea from East India Company 17 million pounds of unsold tea in warehouses in England. Parliament corrupted by favoritism Colonists opposed the Tea Act of 1773 because it gave agents of the East India Tea Company a virtual monopoly on the tea trade. Boston Tea Party (1773) Bypassed colonial wholesalers (middlemen merchants). Government was trying to purchase their loyalty and passivity with cheap tea. A group of colonial Patriots disguised as Mohawk Indians boarded three ships and threw 342 chests overboard. The Empire Strikes Back Coercive Acts (1774) Intolerable Acts Designed to discipline Boston Boston Port Act - closed to commerce until tea was paid. New Quartering Act (private homes) Massachusetts Governing Act Town meetings only 1 per year. Mass.s council and law-enforcement officers were appointive rather then elective. Justice Act - officials and British soldiers could not be tried in colonies only in England and Canada. Intolerable Acts Designed to isolate Boston and make an example of the colony. The moves backfired: Fear that these acts would soon be applied to other colonies unless there was resistance. Quebec Act (1774) Canada would no longer have a representative assembly but an appointed one. Privileged place for the Catholic Church (French). Sign that foretold of tyranny for the colonies. Toward the Revolution The First Continental Congress met in Philadelphia to address concerns (1774). Purpose: To adopt and issue a series of resolutions and protests. NOT to govern nor to rebel Declared the Intolerable Acts null and void. First Continental Congress Passed the Declaration of American Rights Denied Parliaments authority concerning internal colonial affairs. Urged each colony to mobilize its militia (Minute Men) Petitioned the king for relief(dominion theory) colonies were subject to crown but not Parliament (separate realm) Lexington and Concord (1775) General (Governor of Mass) Thomas Gage sent patrols out from Boston to take the colonial supply depot at Concord and arrest Sam Adams and John Hancock in Lexington. Paul Revere, William Dawes, and Dr. Samuel Prescott spread the warning. Minute Men in Lexington formed a silent protest; the British advanced; a shot was fired; British shot a volley and charge with bayonets (8 dead, 10 wounded) Brits continued to Concord; most supplies had been removed; Brits marched back to Boston; road back was a gauntlet of death ; 250 killed or wounded / Americans suffered 100 : The war had started. Second Continental Congress (1775) Assumed the role as Revolutionary government. The Massachusetts militia that surrounded British-held Boston was adopted as the Continental Army. Washington tapped as commander-in-chief because of experience in French & Indian War. Battle of Bunker Hill 1 st major fight June 17, 1775 Americans were laying siege to Boston from high ground of Charleston; Breeds Hill. Gage ordered 2,200 Brits to advance in tight formation. Battle of Bunker Hill Americans waited until they were close (whites of their eyes) Brits won on third try after Americans ran out of gunpowder The British lost about half their troops (1,054 casualties to 400 Am.) Results: English generals became more cautious Able-bodied men were ordered to enlist. Either Patriot or Loyalist; no more middle ground. Olive Branch Petition Second Continental Congress still hopes for compromise. King George III declares them in rebellion and sends more troops. British troops pull out of Boston and retreat to Nova Scotia: British faced not the suppression of a rebellion but the reconquest of a continent. Common Sense (1776) A pamphlet by Thomas Paine in which he argues for independence. Where liberty is, there is my country. The king (George III) is involved in tyranny/calls for independence. It was an attack on the king, rather than Parliament (new)the king was the last real connection to Britain. 100,000 copies in circulation. Colonial governments authorized Continental Congress to take final step. The Decision for Independence Written primarily by Thomas Jefferson. Natural rights had been endowed to all persons by their Creator. No need to claim rights as Englishmen Blamed King George III Americans no longer considered themselves English Upheld the right of the people to overthrow oppressive rule. Based its argument primarily on the contract theory of government developed by John Locke: power comes from the consent of the people. The Declaration of Independence The Continental Congress passed the resolution on July 2, 1776 On July 4, 1776, each member of the Second Continental Congress signed the document.