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Explore America's revolutionary roots & colonial grievances against British mercantilism. Learn about key events like the Stamp Act Uproar, pivotal Boston Massacre, and vital Committees of Correspondence. Witness the Boston Tea Party and Parliament's harsh Intolerable Acts, leading to the pivotal Bloodshed and Lexington Massacre. Discover the strengths and weaknesses of both sides as tensions rise towards all-out conflict. Follow the path from discontent to defiance in this pivotal era.
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Chapter 7 The Road to Revolution, 1763–1775
I. The Deep Roots of Revolution • America started as was a revolutionary force • The New World nurtured new ideas • Republicanism, a just society where citizens willingly subordinated their private, selfish interests to the common good. (Stability and government depended on the virtue and civic involvement of the citizenry) • Republicanism opposed aristocracy & monarchy • Radical Whigsagainst arbitrary monarch power • Americans used to running their own affairs “Distance weakens authority great distance weakens authority greatly”
II. Mercantilism and Colonial Grievances • Mercantilism • National wealth equals national • Exporting goods created wealth • Colonies created wealth • Parliament passed mercantilist laws • Navigation Act of 1650 (aimed at Dutch) • All ships must stop in Britain and be taxed • Some products (EG: tobacco) exclusive to Britain • Byproduct was a hard currency shortage in the colonies
III. The Merits and Menace of Mercantilism • British mercantile system theatrically oppressive • However, they were loosely enforced • American benefits higher pay & military protection • Colonists burdened with annoying liabilities • Stifled economic initiative • Colonists dependent on British agents and creditors • Colonists found it to be debasing
IV. The Stamp Tax Uproar • Seven Years’ War put Britain in severe debt • Sugar Act (1764)—first law taxing colonies • Quartering Act (1765)-colonies support troops • Stamp tax (1765) - Tax (a stamp) on bills of sale • Americans were angry about tax • Pinched their pocketbooks • Jeopardize their British liberties • Distinction between “legislation” and “taxation.” • Parliament had right to pass to legislation • But no right to tax, without representation • Some colonists question colonist-British relationship
V. Forced Repeal of the Stamp Act • Stamp Act Congress (1765) demanded repeal • They were ignored in England • Another step towards intercolonial unity. • Nonimportation agreements: • Sons of Liberty and Daughters of Liberty • Parliament repealed the Stamp Act (1766) • And passed the Declaratory Act • GB had absolute & unqualified sovereignty over colonies
VI. The Townshend Tea Tax & the Boston “Massacre” • Townshend Acts-glass, lead, paper, paint, tea taxed • Colonists were still in rebellion • Two British regiments land in Boston in 1768 • March 5, 1770 - Boston Massacre. • Crispus Attucks, a “mulatto” & mob leader killed • Soldiers defended by John Adams • 2 found guilty, branded on the hand, released • Townsend Acts repealed
VII. The Seditious Committees of Correspondence • Committees of correspondence • First organized in Boston in 1772, (~ 80 towns) • Chief function to spread the spirit of resistance • More Intercolonial cooperation • Would evolved into the first American congresses.
VIII. Tea Brewing in Boston • East India Company given a tea monopoly • People forced the tea-bearing ships to return to GB • Dec 1773 cargo destroyed - the Boston Tea Party • Sympathetic colonists applauded
IX. Parliament Passes the “Intolerable Acts” • Intolerable Acts - passed to ‘punish’ colonists • Massachusetts chartered rights were swept away • Restrictions placed on the precious town meetings • No penalty if killing colonists in the line of duty • New Quartering Act – lodging in private homes • Quebec Act (1774) covered subjects in Canada • Allowed unrepresentative assemblies • Allowed denials of jury trials • It seemed to set a dangerous precedent in America
X. Bloodshed • First Continental Congress in Philadelphia-1774 • Creation of The Association • Complete boycott of British goods • Parliament rejected the Congress’s petitions • Violators of The Association were tarred & feathered • April 1775, Lexington and Concord • British march on ‘rebels’ • Colonial “Minute Men” refused to disperse • Lopsided British victory -“Lexington Massacre”
XI. Imperial Strength and Weakness • Aroused Americans brashly rebelled • Odds against the colonist • Population -Britain 3:1 advantage • GB more military power and wealth • Yet Britain was weaker than it seemed • Oppressed Ireland occupied troops • France was waiting to get even with Britain • The London government weak, inept, & divided • Britain had some disadvantages • Britain had to operate 3,000 miles from home • Second rate leaders and troops
XII. American Pluses and Minuses • The American advantages • outstanding leadership (Washington, Franklin) • Aid came from France (and other European nations) • Fighting defensively • Colonies were mainly self-sustaining agriculturally • Americans enjoyed ’just cause’ advantage • Colonist faced economic difficulties • Congress unwilling to raise taxes • Colonial & states printed depreciated paper money • Colonies were disorganized politically, economically • States regarded themselves as sovereign • Distrusted & resented colonial Congressional power
XIII. A Thin Line of Heroes • Scanty colonial military supplies (Valley Forge) • Militiamen were numerous and unreliable • Women played a huge part in the Revolution • Blacks were involved in the fight for freedom • GB promised freedom for those whom fought for GB • ‘Regulars’ were developed • Revolutionary morale hurt by colonial profiteers • Sold to highest buyer • A select minority supported independence • Seldom have so few done so much for so many.
