The Road to RevolutionThe Road to Revolution

By: AMANDA GLOVER

Roots of Revolution Colonists felt physically and

spiritually separated from Europe.

Colonists in America, without influence from superiors, felt that they were fundamentally different from England, and more independent.

Many began to think of themselves as Americans, and that they were on the cutting edge of the British empire.

Salutary Neglect

Mercantilism

in the Colonies

– Country’s economic wealth could be measured by the amount of gold or silver in its treasury.

– A country had to export more than it imported

– a favorable balance of trade.

– Countries with colonies were at an advantage, because the colonies could supply the mother country with raw materials, wealth, supplies, amarket for selling manufactured goods etc…

Results of Mercantilism Smuggling Early on, the laws were

only loosely enforced, which encouraged greater independence in the colonies

Burdened the colonists Evoked anger and

resentment Stifled economic

improvement and imposed dependence

Laws that Upset Colonists Navigation Acts: restricted trade

with any nation but England; loosely enforced

Grenville Acts: enforced the Sugar Act, imposed the Stamp Act and the Quartering Act

Townsend Acts: taxes on common goods, including the Tea Act

All these were enforced in Admiralty Courts.

Results of the Navigation Acts

Period of neglect Colonists gained independence Colonies began acting like an

independent country and ignored the English laws

Barter system “enumerated products”

Results of the Grenville Acts

Reinforced the Navigation Acts Angered the colonists The Stamp Act brought the first acts of

rebellion Organized the Stamp Act Congress in 1765

and started non-importation agreements against British goods

More rebellious groups formed Formed intercolonial unity

Stamp Act

Imposed a tax on all printed goods Effort to raise revenues for the military Grenville thought he was being fair, as the

British in England had a far worse Stamp tax

The colonists were angry and thought their liberties were at risk

Stamp Act, cont.

Rebellious Groups

Slogan: “no taxation without representation”

Sons of Liberty and Daughters of Liberty– They would terrorize the stamp agents and

unpopular officials– Used methods of tar and feathers and

ransacking homes– Enforced nonimportation agreements

The Townsend Acts – 1767-1770

“Champagne Charley” imposed taxes on manufactured goods coming into the colonies – a violation of basic mercantilist principles

Duties on glass, paper, paint, lead, tea and other commodities led to increased hostility from colonists

Colonial protests began at the grassroots level John Dickinson sent a circular letter

titled “A Letter form a Farmer in Pennsylvania to the Inhabitants of the British Colonies” agruing against what he felt were illegal taxes.

Non-importation Agreements were renewed

Boston Massacre On March 5, 1770, a

crowd of 60 townspeople attacked 10 redcoats and the redcoats opened fired on the civilians, killing/wounding 11 of them. 

The massacre was known as the Boston Massacre.

Crispus Attacks was the 1st to be killed.

Samuel Adams Had the “Green

Dragon” tavern Hosted rebels and

provoked rebellious thoughts

formed the first local committee of correspondence in Massachusetts in 1772 (Sons of Liberty).

Rebellious Groups

Mob attacking a excise man who collected the stamp tax making people not want to become tax collectors.

Tarring and feathering was a popular punishment.

Tea Act

The act forced colonists to only buy tea products from the East India Trading Co.

Although cheaper than other tea, the colonists felt angry, and again felt that their liberties were being compromised

The result: The Boston Tea Party

Boston Tea Party A drunken mob,

dressed as Indians pushed tons of tea into the Boston Harbor

All of Boston was considered responsible

The intolerable acts were imposed upon the Bostonians

Intolerable Acts Result of the Boston Tea Party Series of Acts to subdue Bostonians Quartering Act, Boston Port Act, lack

of money, and taxes, prohibition of town meetings and no jury with court hearings

Quebec Act Occurred at the same time as the intolerable

acts French could expand into the Ohio Valley

and retain customs and language

Quebec Act, cont. Expanded Quebec to

encompass Ohio River Valley

nullified many of the Western claims of the coast colonies by extending the boundaries of the province of Quebec to the Ohio River on the south and to the Mississippi River on the west.

1st Continental CongressSept-Oct 1774 Met in Philadelphia to

respond to Intolerable Acts

Suffolk Resolves Declaration of Rights and

Grievances Continental Association

The Association

Created from Continental Congress Complete boycott of British goods Sought to repeal the offensive legislation Rejected by Parliament nonimportation, nonexportation, and

nonconsumption.

Lexington and Concord – April 18, 1775

British tried to break rumors of colonial resistance

Sent to Lexington and Concord to capture John Hancock and Samuel Adams

Paul Revere and others warned the colonists about the British march

Colonials sent British on a 16 mile long retreat back to Boston

Paul Revere, William Dawes, and Samuel Prescott

Warned Lexington and Concord about the British plans

Americans were able to prepare and caught the British off guard in both villages.

Strengths

Britain:

– Large population

– Professional army

– Money

– Supplies

Weaknesses Britain:

– Ireland oppression and rebellion

– France wanted revenge form past issues

– Lack of support– Incompetent generals and

badly treated soldiers– Far from home– No central target to

conquer

Colonial Strengths – Outstanding leadership– Hopes for foreign aid– Defensive fighting– Strong motivation– More logical fighting

styles

– Bad organization– Lacking unity– Jealousy– Economic difficulties/lack of money and

inflation– Lack of supplies– Badly trained soldiers– Disorganized government

- No foreign support

Colonial Weaknesses

Marquis de Lafayette: a valuable French military officer who aided the Americans

Blacks during the Revolution Someought for the

Crown in the hope of freedom

Initially prevented from militia

Some earned freedom

Many went back into slavery.

THE END