The French and Indian War and Colonial Tension Unit 2, Lesson 1

Essential Idea Following the French and Indian War, England’s policies caused the colonies to consider independence.

French and Indian War Causes: England and France had long fought for dominance in Europe Both countries also claimed land in America England and France built forts and began to fight over the Ohio River Valley

Major Events The Albany Congress The Albany Congress- In 1754, delegates (representatives) from seven colonies met in New York Led by Benjamin Franklin, the delegates developed the Albany Plan of Union This plan proposed the colonies unite and form a federal (central) government

Impact of Albany Plan The colonies ultimately rejected the Albany Plan The Albany Plan was important because it was the FIRST time the colonies considered UNITING

Fighting The French and some Indian tribes fought on one side, English (British) and colonists fought on the other George Washington became a hero to the colonists for his courage during the war England was able to win largely because its superior navy blocked supplies between France and “New France” Spain eventually joined France, but England won the war in 1763

Treaty of Paris (1763) The Treaty: Treaty of Paris (1763) Terms: The French and Indian War (and Seven Years War) ended with England as the winner France gave the eastern part of New France to England To compensate Spain, France gave the western part of New France to Spain, including New Orleans

Britain’s Colonial Policies Evolve Pontiac’s Rebellion: Colonists had crossed the Appalachian Mountains to settle new land, encroaching on Indians In 1763, Indian Chief Pontiac responded by leading attacks on British forts Pontiac's Rebellion British troops stopped the rebellion, but wanted to prevent further conflict

Continue Salutary Neglect? Prior to the war, England’s policy toward the colonies was largely hands- off (salutary neglect) The French and Indian War made England take more control of the colonies, especially after Pontiac’s Rebellion

England Tightens Its Grip England was in debt because of war England had new territory to govern and protect with soldiers, which was expensive England felt that the colonies should pay to reduce English debt and pay for English soldiers England’s new policies to solve its financial problems made colonists grow resentful and some considered independence

Proclamation of 1763 “Round One” British Action: Proclamation of 1763- King George III ordered no more colonial settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains Colonial Response: Colonists were angry because they wanted more land and many moved west anyway, ignoring the law

The Sugar Act (1764) British Action: Sugar Act of 1764- this law taxed sugar and molasses, mainly impacting merchants Merchants caught smuggling were deemed guilty until proven innocent Colonial Reaction: Many felt England had no right to pass taxes if colonies had no representatives in British Parliament Many felt taxes should only come from local legislatures The phrase “no taxation without representation” became popular

Quartering Act (1765) British Action: Quartering Act- required colonists to provide food and shelter to British soldiers Colonial Reaction: Resentment grew, forming the basis for the future 3rd Amendment to the US Constitution

The Stamp Act (1765) British Action: Stamp Act of 1765- this act was the first DIRECT TAX on the colonists (not just merchants) Almost all printed materials were taxed, including newspapers, posters, deeds, and even playing cards The Stamp Act

Stamp Act Opposed Colonial Reactions: Vigilante groups like the Sons of Liberty organized demonstrations and terrorized tax collectors Colonial delegates formed the Stamp Act Congress and asked the king to repeal the law Non-importation agreements- many colonists agreed to boycott British products

Stamp Act Repealed British Action: Because of colonial protest and boycotts, England repealed the Stamp Act Declaratory Act- to save face, this law declared England’s authority to make laws for the colonies

Townshend Acts “Round Two” British Action: Townshend Acts- this series of acts taxed items like tea, paper, and glass Writs of Assistance- general warrants to search colonists’ property for smuggled goods Violators were tried in admiralty courts where they were presumed guilty

Colonists Protest Again Colonial Reaction: John Dickinson’s “Letters From a Farmer in Pennsylvania” argued “no taxation without representation” Samuel Adams distributed the “circular letter,” criticizing the Townshend Acts Colonists resumed non- importation agreements

The Boston Massacre British Action: Britain dispatched 1,000 troops to Boston to keep order, where colonists heckled them Boston Massacre- British soldiers fired on a heckling crowd of colonists, killing five The Boston Massacre Colonial Reaction: Radicals like Samuel Adams used newspapers to portray England as oppressive tyrants Colonists were furious, but tensions calmed when Britain repealed most of the Townshend Acts

Paul Revere’s Version

1856 Bias?