Dissent and Revolution in Colonial America, 1763-1783: Social, Political, and Economic Upheaval

1. Dissent and Revolution in Colonial America, 1763-1783 • What is the Revolutionary Period? • Social, Political, Economic Upheaval in Atlantic World. • Dissent. Ideologies. Radical Literature. Protest. Boycott • France: 1789-1799 • Debt from 7-Years War. • Debt from war on American soil. • Unpopular taxes. • Agricultural Decline: bad harvest • Haiti: 1791-1804 • 2. British Attempts to Reign In Colonies (Political) • 3. Beginnings of American Resistance (Ideological) • 4. Taxation Without Representation (Economic)

2. The Crisis Begins • Economic: Paying for War and The Boycott • During Seven Years’ War: Colonies were an ally. • After the Seven Years’ War: Subordinate role, pay for war. • Boycott • Social/Ideological Resistance: • Influence of the Enlightenment • Liberty • Penny-Press- Circulars, Pamphlets • Boston: A Committee of Correspondence- exchange ideas about resistance. • The Sons of Liberty- resist the Stamp Act, enforce a boycott • Political • Social tensions in the colonies • Lack of Representation • Struggle for Power

3. English Administration of the Colonies • 17th century- distraction/colonial policy • Oliver Cromwell and trade • Mercantile System • Navigation Acts • Dominion of New England • Glorious Revolution • Resistance to “Dominion” • Neighbors • Spanish America • New France • Louisiana On the Road to the Revolution…

4. Greenville’s Colonial Policy • Imperial finances • “Spoiled Americans,” and taxes • Molasses Act of 1733 • Sugar Act (American Revenue Act) • Currency Act of 1764 • The Stamp Act: More than a postage stamp. • Covert • Charles Townshend • Townshend Acts • Revenue Act 1767 • Ideological Response • The Boycott • True Whigs- 1764-1765 • British army in colonies/Quartering Act • Sons of Liberty- Samuel Adams • Repeal of the Stamp Act Colonial Policies and Responses

5. Boston Massacre • Lord North • British occupy Boston • 5 March 1770- Agitators • Crispus Attucks • Aftermath • Significance • The Boston Tea Party • Lord North & the East India Company • Committee of Correspondence • 16 December 1773- 342 chests of tea • Significance • Britain Responds • The Coercive Acts 1774 • Closure of Boston Harbor • New Quartering Act Boston in the 1770s: A Catalyst for Change

6. Background: • Thomas Jefferson, June 1, fasting prayer in Virginia • Raleigh Tavern • George Washington: “a cause of America” • Continental Congress • 1774 to 1789 • Governing body of 13 colonies • First Continental Congress- Response to Coercive Acts • Second Continental Congress- (1775-83) • Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union • Domestic and International legitimacy to direct the revolution • 1776- America's independence from Britain. The Declaration of Independence • 1781 Congress ratified the first national constitution, the Articles of Confederation. • Articles of Confederation-1789, replaced by U.S. Constitution. Formation of the Continental Congress

7. The Coming of Independence • The Outbreak of War • April 1775: Lexington and Concord. • Battle of Bunker Hill- British victory • Forced General Howe from Boston by March 1776. • The Second Continental Congress • Raised an army • Appointed George Washington its commander. • Independence? • Goal was not clear by the end of 1775. • Opinions varied in the colonies. • Common Sense • Thomas Paine, January 1776, criticized monarchy and aristocracy.

8. The Steps of Independence • The Declaration of Independence • June 1776 5-man committee • Drafted between June 11 and June 28, 1776 • Divided into 5 sections • Declared an independent nation • Jefferson’s preamble: enduring impact. • Rights of mankind as the object of American independence. • The “pursuit of happiness” was unique. • The Global Declaration of Independence • Inspire others to claim liberty and self-government. • Numerous anticolonial movements, such as Vietnam in 1945 • The Declaration’s principle: will of “the people”

9. Securing Independence • The First Years of the War • General Washington; many of his troops went home. • Successful surprise attack on Trenton and Princeton. • The Battle of Saratoga • The Battle of Saratoga in October 1777 • French to aid the Americans in 1778. • The War in the South • Focus shifted to the South in 1778. • British commanders: could not consolidate hold • Victory at Last • General Cornwallis at Yorktown, where he surrendered in October 1781. • The Treaty of Paris: September 1783. • The American delegation: John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and John Jay.

10. Revolutionary Women • Used domestic roles • Homespun Movement: • Served Continental Army • Allowed American soldiers in home • Loyalist women left country/undertook acts of resistance • Control of domestic consumption= political goals • Boycott: British goods • Edenton Tea party: 51 women/ North Carolina • Spied on British soldiers • Deborah Champion, Sara Decker Haligowski, Harriet Prudence, Patterson Hall, Lydia Darraugh: information to U.S. soldiers • Fought in war • Deborah Samson, Hannah Snell, Sally St. Claire: hid gender • Loyalist Women • Leave • Resistance The Revolution Within: Women, African-American, and the Indigenous

11. 1770s • Most lived as slaves: North and South • Issues of enslavement and freedom • Sided with whom could promise personal liberty • 100,000 escaped or died during war • 5000 enlisted in Continental Army: Lexington & Concord, and Bunker Hill • 1775 George Washington: forbids recruitment of Blacks • Virginia Governor: Lord Dunmore: promises freedom to Blacks (side with British) • Black Loyalists- emigration of 3,000-4000 • Documented service to Crown: left U.S. for Britain and Nova Scotia • Massive Migration after War • Largely female • 1806: Women 4:3 in New York • Maritime industry- largest employer of black males post-Revolutionary African Americans during the Revolution

12. Key Points: • Dependency on men to participate in public realm • Coverture: Contribute to the public realm • Republican Motherhood: Educating the next generation according to values of the men who fought for independence. (Republican values and ideals=good citizens) • Issues: • Liberty, Equality, Independence: Not Women. Whig political theorists: voting rights through ownership of property. • Ideal Whig woman: patriotic cause from inside separate spheres • Key Figures • Abigail Adams: property rights for married women • Mercy Otis Warren: political writer and propagandist for war • Issued pamphlet “A Colombian Patriot,” opposed ratification of the U.S. Constitution in 1788 • 1805- first published history of the American Revolution • Postwar Efforts: rise of various women’s services and reform societies Gender and Politics during the Revolutionary Period

13. Key Points • War • Excuse to take land • War of survival for Indigenous • Damaged food supplies and atrocities • Lenape: signed treaty with the new United States • Iroquois: split allegiance between British (Loyalists) and the Patriots. • Treaty of Paris: 1783. British ceded territories to U.S. • Did not inform indigenous communities • Replaced Treaty of 1763: which established British power in 13 colonies • Northwest Indian Wars: War against white encroachment • Issues: • Women and War • Competition for Indigenous Support: Loyalists and Patriots • Frontier Warfare: Brutal 1779 New York Sullivan Expedition • Treaties: New York and Iroquois Nation, 5, 000, 000 acres; establishment of reservations. Displacing the Indigenous Communities