The Road to Revolution

Colonial Attitudes Government was similar to England but had some unique features Differences Colonial governors Written charters Sparse population More democratic Town meetings Conspiracy theories emerge

End of Salutary Neglect Proclamation of 1763 Enforce old laws Sent customs officials and the Navy to curb smuggling Currency Act—1764 Sugar Act—1764

Stamp Act—1765 Common in Britain Revenue stamps required Grenville asks colonists to figure out a means of contribution—no reply Angers lawyers and newspapermen Emergence of the “Sons of Liberty” Stamp Act Congress Grenville resigns

Escalation in the Colonies Declaratory Act—1766 British can pass laws regulating the colonies Quartering Act Colonists required to provide for British soldiers Supposedly for protection against Indians Townshend Duties—1767 Taxes on imports Raised money for royal governors Violation of law tried in admiralty court

Colonial Opposition Protests against writs of assistance Cooperation among the colonies Albany Plan of Union Stamp Act Congress Committees of Correspondence Boycotts and demonstrations Homespun goods Boston Massacre—1770

Boston Tea Party Tea Act gave cheap tea to the colonies but: No more smuggling Still had to pay Townshend Duty Coercive (Intolerable) Acts First Continental Congress Second Continental Congress Olive Branch Petition

Ideological Reasons for Revolution Common Sense Paine wrote “Common Sense” Based on the Enlightenment and the Bible Sold 120,000 copies Basic premise: Continent should not be ruled by an island

Reasons for Declaration of Independence Colonists are unsure of purpose Outraged by the British military POW status versus treason Common Sense convinces many Bunker Hill Declaration inspirational Foreign nations

Declaration of Independence Philosophy of Government John Locke--All men are created equal Compact theory of government Destructive government should be ended List of grievances Conclusion