Can you smell a Revolution

1. Can you smell a Revolution

2. We must, indeed, all hang together or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately. Benjamin Franklin Can you smell a Revolution

3. FIW is expensive Struggle to convince colonists to shoulder the cost. At the time, most colonialists are reluctant revolutionaries, want to secure rights as Englishmen The Price of War

4. Old world- people rarely move Stagnant lifestyle encourages people to conform to social norms. Roots of Revolution

5. 1. Republicanism- from Greek and Romans Citizens willingly subordinated their private, selfish interest to the common good. Social stability and government authority relies on citizenship Fundamentally opposed to aristocracy and monarchy Roots of Revolution

6. 2. Comes from British Radical Whigs Fear of monarch (and representatives) posing threats to liberty Be on guard against corruption Roots of Revolution

7. Geography matters! No dukes or princes in colonies But colonies have property ownership and self government. Distance = barrier to enforce control Roots of Revolution

8. Georgia- only colony formally planted by Brit. Government. Others- trading companies, religious groups, land speculators. Mercantilism and the Colonies

9. Wealth = power Wealth is measure by amount of gold and silver in treasury To amass gold, countries need to export more than they export Colonies- supply raw materials to mother country ( reducing need for foreign imports) and provide guaranteed market for exports. Mercantilism

10. Brits view of the colonies Seen as tenants Furnish goods to England Buy imported manufactured goods only made in England. Don’t become self sufficient, don’t even think about self government. Mercantilism and the Colonies

11. How to regulate Mercantilism system? Navigation Law of 1650 All goods must be in British ships Any goods to America, must first be brought to Britain Certain “enumerated” products (tobacco) must exclusively go to Britain, despite getting better offers from other Mercantilism and the Colonies

12. Causes money shortage in colonies Colonists forced to use butter nails, pitch, for exchange Colonists issue paper money, which kills value of British Currency British outlaw colonists from creating currency Mercantilism and the Colonies

13. Prior to 1763 Navigation laws aren’t enforced (salutary neglect) colonial smuggling rises Colonial ship makers chosen over local companies Tobacco monopoly Protection by world’s greatest navy Mercantilism, the Good

14. Kills economic initiative and makes colonists dependent on Brit. Creditors and agents Colonists feel as being kept in perpetual state of economic adolescence. We have an old mother that peevish is grown She snubs us like children that scare walk alone. She forgets we’re grown up and have a sense of our own.BF Mercantilism, the Bad

15. British debt after FIW- 140 million pounds Prime Minister- George Grenville Start enforcing Nav. Acts Sugar Act- 1764- eventually lowered Quartering Act- 1765- colonists must give food and shelter to troops Trampling our Rights

16. 1765- Stamp Act- first direct tax imposed on the people. The British had far larger stamp tax on people for 20 years. Trampling our Rights

17. Sugar and Stamp acts set up Admiralty courts No juries Guilty until proven innocent Judges salaries determined by fines imposed Location: Nova Scotia Trampling our Rights

18. Radical Whig influence apparent “No taxation without representation” Ironic- Coastal colonists have denied back country colonists representation Do the colonists want representation in Parliament? Trampling our Rights

19. Difference between legislation and taxation Parliament can legislate matters that affected the whole empire (regulation of trade) Parliament cannot tax colonists cause no representative. Only colonial legislatures have the right to tax the colonists View of the colonists

20. Virtual Representation- every member of parliament represents its subjects, even those in Americans that haven’t voted. Parliament cannot be divided like the colonists wished. This forces the colonists to deny authority of parliament, and start to consider their own political independence View of Grenville

21. 27 delegates of nine colonies Send statements of rights and grievances to King and Parliament Very little effect But seeds of colonial unity are forming Stamp Act Congress 1765

22. Stop importing British goods Woolen garments are encouraged, stop eating lamb chops More colonial unity Now those who didn’t take a side, are joining consumer boycotts Sons of Liberty and Daughters of Liberty “Liberty, Property, No Stamps” Sometimes violent Non Imp works- British merchants and manufactures hit hard, convince parliament to repeal stamp act. Nonimportation Agreements

24. 1766- stamp act repealed, Declaratory act passed England has absolute and unqualified sovereignty over its North American colonies. Declaratory Act

25. Charles Townshend Light import duties on glass, white lead, paper, paint, tea. Indirect customs duty payable at American ports. Money generated- goes to royal governors and judges. Why is this problematic? 1767- NY legislature shut down for failure to comply with Quartering act. Non importation agreements restart- but less effective mainly because tax is light and indirect. Smuggling in Massachusetts really takes off as colonists enjoy cheaper prices. 1767 Townshend Acts

26. To cut down on smuggling and restore order British send two regiment to Boston. March 5, 1770 Citizens throwing rocks and snowballs British- shots fired 11 dead or wounded Both sides are at fault John Adams, one of leaders of Son’s of liberty, defends soldiers Boston Massacre

27. Wants to restore royal power Gives jobs to “yes men” Prime Minister= Lord North Townshend acts- don’t raise money, plus nonimporation agreements force England to repeal all aspects of Act but tax on tea Kept tea tax to show parliament still has the right to tax colonies King George III

28. Poor, not impressive physical stature, but loved politics, especially infractions on colonial rights. Helps form Committees of Correspondence Samuel Adams

29. Purpose- keep opposition to British alive through letters and conferences Soon became intercolonial committees Soon each colony has a CofC Committees of Correspondence

30. 1773- nonimporation weakening, colonists are buying tea. England bails out British India Tea Co.- gives them monopoly to colonies. Tea is even cheaper, colonists feel like Brits are tricking them to accept the detested tax. Tea Time

31. NYC, Philly- mass protests force ships back Annapolis- burnt ship and cargo, banner – “Liberty and Independence or death in the pursuit of it” Charleston, confiscates tea- later sells tea to raise money for revolution Boston Mass Gov= Thomas Hutchinson Orders ships to stay until cargo is unloaded Enemies publish private letter which Hutchinson said violating some English Rights are necessary to preserve colonies. Tea Time

32. Dec 16 1773 Boston Tea Party Dumped tea dressed as Indians Colonists have mixed reactions Half applaud it, called tea a “badge of slavery” Conservatives- broke laws, can lead to anarchy and break down in society Hutchinson- retreats to England Tea Time

33. Intolerable acts Meant to punish Boston Closes Boston port, until damages are paid No more town meetings Brits who kill colonists, now face trial in London Even stronger quartering act- now soldiers can be placed in private homes. England Strikes back

34. 1774 Quebec Acts Not apart of Intolerable acts French can retain cultural aspects of life (Catholics) Old Quebec boundaries extended to Ohio River Valley England Strikes Back

35. Intolerable mainly hurt Boston, QA hits larger audience French Canada- no trial by jury or representative government Land speculators- good lands are gone Anti Catholics- angry that Roman Catholics are nearing on lands destined for Protestantism. The Quebec Act

36. Colonists rally to Boston’s aid Flags at half mass, ships bring in food Response to IA

37. 1774- 1st continental congress Georgia, not there 55 delegates Not a legislative body, but consultative body Send declaration of Rights to King The Association- takes nonimportation agreements step further, complete boycott of all British goods. Not asking for independence Response to IA

38. British want to round up and control all ammunition posts. Lexington and Concord 1775 Colonists massacred at Lexington, but forced British retreat in Concord Shot heard around the world

39. England Pros 7.5 million Wealthiest nation Most powerful navy Professionally trained army 30,000 Hessian Mercenaries 50,000 American Loyalists Native American assistance Cons Ireland is in turmoil, British troops must go there Government- inept, no strong leadership Logistical issues Distance Geography- America is vast, no true urban centers, thus British have to attack and make every city submit American Revolution Fight Card

40. Colonies Pros Great leadership General= Washington Diplomat= BF Many Europeans reset England and join cause Marquis De LaFayette Defensive War- do not have to win Moral Advantage- everybody beliefs in the cause Agriculture - Colonies are self sustaining Cons No national government Disorganized, not truly united States are sovereign and don’t take congress serious Sectional Differences over General selections Colonial Currency= “not worth a Continental”, States eventually make their own money as well American Revolution Fight Card

41. Towns have some weapons- but widespread militias create shortages Desperate need for guns and Ammo (France) Where are the Guns?

42. No established uniform Most are lucky to have clothing No shoes Rhode Island Unit- “Ragged, Lousy, Naked Regiment” Food Valley Forge- 3 straight days with no food Colonial Soldiers

43. Very unreliable 7 to 8 thousand regulars at the end of war German Baron Von Stuebon African Americans eventually fight in the war, most are Freed Blacks of the North Colonial Soldiers

44. Vir. Governor Lord Dunmore- offers freedom to slaves to who join British “Lord Dunmore’s Ethiopian Unit” British stayed somewhat true to their word, Black Loyalists sent to Nova Scotia, Jamaica British and African Americans

45. Profiteers get rich- sell anything and everything to the British because the British actually have money (gold and silver) Small minority only truly dedicated to the cause of Independence American at the Eve of War