Prelude to Revolution: Changing Attitudes

Prelude to Revolution: Changing Attitudes US History Libertyville HS

Changing Attitudes after 1763 • British view • We’re the most powerful country in the world! • These colonists love us! • That war was expensive – especially in colonies

Changing Attitudes after 1763 • Britain had bad recession • British Parliament began enforcing laws, taxes against colonists • British permanently stationed troops in colonies • Colonists free of French, Indian threat

Count Vergennes, Oracle “Delivered from a neighbor they have always feared, your other colonies will soon discover they stand no longer in need of your protection. You will call on them to contribute toward supporting the burden which they have helped to bring on you; they will answer by shaking off all dependence.” (1763, to British negotiator) Count Vergennes – French negotiator of treaty ending F & I (7 yrs) War

Changing Attitudes after 1763 • Three most important changes: • “Salutary Neglect” stopped • Proclamation Line of 1763 established • British permanently station troops in America

Changing Attitudes: “Salutary Neglect” Policy whereby British Government did not enforce existing laws or taxes against colonists until after 1763 Why?! Because economic times were good!

Changing Attitudes: Salutary Neglect • Example of salutary neglect • Navigation Acts of 1650 • Laws of commerce within British Empire • Included taxes that colonists were to pay on imports and exports • Salutary Neglect: NEVER ENFORCED BY PARLIAMENT b/c Brits were making money off the trade itself

Changing Attitudes: Salutary Neglect • 1763 – British began enforcing Navigation Acts • Colonists reaction: new and unjust tax • British reaction: you are spoiled! • Strict enforcement = mistake (why?)

Changing Attitudes: Cause of Salutary Neglect • British Generosity! • Salutary neglect – British didn’t enforce taxes on books for 100+years • Home Rule – British gave colonists incredible freedom to make rules for selves • Once gone = resentment!

Changing Attitudes: Proclamation Line • Imaginary line drawn along Appalachian Mountains • British government tells colonists that Indians are to stay to the West of the Line and Colonists to the East • British government also requires any trading across line to be submitted to them • British erect line of forts along Line to enforce law

Changing Attitudes: Stationing Troops • British permanently station 20,000 troops in America • Message = ??? • Mission • Protect tax collectors • Enforce Proclamation Line • Protect colonists from Indians (and visa versa) • Troops’ presence angers colonists Tarring & Feathering

Changing Attitudes: British Taxation • External Taxes • Import tax • Paid by merchants • Example: Sugar tax • Most popular tax • Internal Taxes • Similar to sales tax • Paid by everyone • Example: Stamp tax • Least popular tax • British Monopolies • Only Brits could sell these goods • Example: Clothing, tea Sugar cane field workers

Changing Attitudes: So what’s the Big Deal? • Changing attitude of American colonists • Pre F & I War: We want rights that all Englishmen are guaranteed • Post F & I War: We want rights that are guaranteed to all MEN • This is HUGE!: American identification shifting away from Brits “Free Born Englishman” – political cartoon

Changing Attitudes: So what’s the Big Deal? • Revolution is not about money • Colonists upset about loss of real (or perceived) rights and freedoms • Home Rule • Tax enforcement • Troops quartered • Limits on trade • Limits on expansion • LIMITS!!!!! Protesting the Stamp Act, 1765 Quartering of troops

Leading to War Sugar Act of 1764 Stamp Act of 1765 Declaratory Act Townsend Duties of 1767 Boston Massacre Boston Tea Party Coercive (“Intolerable”) Acts

Prelude to Revolution: Changing Attitudes