Unit 2, Lesson 1

The French and Indian War and Colonial Tension

Following the French and Indian War, England’s policies caused the colonies to consider independence.

Essential Idea

Causes: England and France had long fought for

dominance in Europe Both countries also claimed land in

America England and France built forts and

began to fight over the Ohio River Valley

French and Indian War

The Albany CongressThe Albany Congress- In

1754, delegates (representatives) from seven colonies met in New York

Led by Benjamin Franklin, the delegates developed the Albany Plan of Union

This plan proposed the colonies unite and form a federal (central) government

Major Events

The colonies ultimately rejected the Albany PlanThe Albany Plan was important because it was the FIRST time

the colonies considered UNITING

Impact of Albany Plan

The French and some Indian tribes fought on one side, English (British) and colonists fought on the other

George Washington became a hero to the colonists for his courage during the war

England was able to win largely because its superior navy blocked supplies between France and “New France”

Spain eventually joined France, but England won the war in 1763

Fighting

The Treaty:Treaty of Paris (1763) Terms:The French and Indian

War (and Seven Years War) ended with England as the winner

France gave the eastern part of New France to England

To compensate Spain, France gave the western part of New France to Spain, including New Orleans

Treaty of Paris (1763)

Pontiac’s Rebellion:Colonists had crossed

the Appalachian Mountains to settle new land, encroaching on Indians

In 1763, Indian Chief Pontiac responded by leading attacks on British forts

Pontiac's RebellionBritish troops stopped

the rebellion, but wanted to prevent further conflict

Britain’s Colonial Policies Evolve

Salutary Neglect:Prior to the war,

England’s policy toward the colonies was largely hands-off (salutary neglect)

The French and Indian War made England take more control of the colonies, especially after Pontiac’s Rebellion

Continue Salutary Neglect?

England was in debt because of warEngland had new territory to govern and

protect with soldiers, which was expensiveEngland felt that the colonies should pay to

reduce English debt and pay for English soldiers

England’s new policies to solve its financial problems made colonists grow resentful and some considered independence

England Tightens Its Grip

“Round One”British Action:Proclamation of 1763-

King George III ordered no more colonial settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains

Colonial Response:Colonists were angry

because they wanted more land and many moved west anyway, ignoring the law

Proclamation of 1763

British Action:Sugar Act of 1764- this law taxed sugar and

molasses, mainly impacting merchantsMerchants caught smuggling were deemed

guilty until proven innocentColonial Reaction:Many felt England had no right to pass taxes if

colonies had no representatives in British Parliament

The phrase “no taxation without representation” became popular

The Sugar Act (1764)

British Action:Quartering Act-

required colonists to provide food and shelter to British soldiers

Colonial Reaction:Resentment grew,

forming the basis for the future 3rd Amendment to the US Constitution

Quartering Act (1765)

British Action:Stamp Act of 1765- this

act was the first DIRECT TAX on the colonists (not just merchants)

Almost all printed materials were taxed, including newspapers, posters, deeds, and even playing cards

The Stamp Act

The Stamp Act (1765)

Colonial Reactions: Vigilante groups like

the Sons of Liberty organized demonstrations and terrorized tax collectors

Colonial delegates formed the Stamp Act Congress and asked the king to repeal the law

Non-importation agreements- many colonists agreed to boycott British products

Stamp Act Opposed

British Action:Because of colonial protest and boycotts,

England repealed the Stamp ActDeclaratory Act- to save face, this law

declared England’s authority to makes laws for the colonies

Stamp Act Repealed

“Round Two”British Action:Townshend Acts- this

series of acts taxed items like tea, paper, and glass

Writs of Assistance- general warrants to search colonists’ property for smuggled goods

Violators were tried in admiralty courts where they were presumed guilty

Townshend Acts

Colonial Reaction:John Dickinson’s

“Letters From a Farmer in Pennsylvania” argued “no taxation without representation”

Samuel Adams distributed the “circular letter,” criticizing the Townshend Acts

Colonists resumed non-importation agreements

Colonists Protest Again

British Action:Britain dispatched 1,000

troops to Boston to keep order, where colonists heckled them

Boston Massacre- British soldiers fired on a heckling crowd of colonists, killing five

The Boston MassacreColonial Reaction:Radicals like Samuel Adams

used newspapers to portray England as oppressive tyrants

Colonists were furious, but tensions calmed when Britain repealed most of the Townshend Acts

The Boston Massacre

Paul Revere’s Version

1856 Bias?