American Pageant, 13th ed. The road to revolution
The road to splitsville America had adopted Old World principles Republicanism All citizens give up rights for the “common good” No monarchies or authoritarian rule Radical Whig ideology No monarchies Don’t let government deny you of rights
The road to splitsville British Mercantilism Wealth=power, the treasury counts Colonies provide raw materials & market for exports No trade with anyone but “Mommy” Caused a currency shortage in America America tried to print paper money; had little value Hurt British merchants
The road to splitsville Mercantilism’s not all bad British did not enforce Navigation laws (salutary neglect); made Americans money (J. Hancock) VA had a monopoly on tobacco Colonies were protected by the world’s strongest Navy Britain had raised an eager child!
The plot thickens… George Grenville (British Prime Minister) had to figure out how to pay for 7 Years’ War; justified as “defense taxes” Strict enforcement of Navigation Laws Sugar Act of 1764: tariff on foreign sugar Quartering Act of 1765 Stamp Tax of 1765: Required on many printed items, official docs, playing cards…
The plot thickens… Grenville had violators tried in admiralty courts – no juries; guilty until proven innocent No taxation w/o representation in British Parliament; Americans would pay taxes if legislated in America Grenville argued virtual representation
The plot thickens…Americans “fight” back Stamp Act Congress (1765): a step toward unity 27 delegates, 9 colonies Asked King & Parliament to repeal Stamp Act Non-importation agreements (boycotts) No British textiles; used colonial wool
The plot thickens…Americans “fight” back Sons of Liberty (Samuel Adams) dealt with violators of non-importation agreements Britain takes financial hit; Parliament repeals Stamp Act, but passed the Declaratory Act of 1765: “Obey the mother country”
The plot thickens…more “Champagne” Charley Townshend, new British P.M. Townshend Acts (1767) Tax on lead, paint, tea, glass and paper Due at port, earmarked for royal governor Repealed in 1770 (with exception of tea tax) Sends more “Red coats” to America
The plot thickens…more Colonists get lippy Boston Massacre “Mob” taunts British soldiers; soldiers fire into mob Crispus Attucks first killed among 5 dead John Adams defends soldiers, all acquitted but 2
The plot thickens…more Samuel Adams creates Committees of Correspondence (local to each town) Goal: Spread the word Turned into colonial committees of correspondence
The plot thickens…more & more British East India Co. awarded monopoly (colonies); could sell tea cheaper, even w/tax Americans thought it was a trick; protested – tea returned to England unsold EXCEPT in Boston… Hutchison (MA Gov.) ordered Br. Ships to unload Colonists did just that…into the Atlantic Hutchison fled to Britain
The plot thickens…more & more Intolerable Acts or Coercive Acts passed (1774) Massachusetts Government Act: revoked charter, forbade town meetings w/o consent Quartering Act Boston Port Act “The massacre of American liberty”
The plot thickens…more & more Quebec Act (accidentally mixed in w/Coercive Acts) French guaranteed Catholic religion Retained customs/traditions Made Am. Colonists upset
There will be blood Colonies feel bad for MA 1st Continental Congress formed (1774); Met in Philly; 12/13 colonies in attendance, No GA Created Declaration of Rights, appealed to other Br. Colonies too Created “The Association” – called for no import/export/consumption of Br. Goods
There will be blood Colonists form militias – “Minutemen” Britain sends troops to Lexington & Concord, MA to seize gunpowder Lexington Massacre 8 American men killed when colonists got in Britain’s way British retreat to Boston
There will be more blood Britain was the stronger power, but sent its JV in; Varsity was at home Britain in “must win” situation; America had the time & space for victory Americans believed in the cause, but were unorganized w/no money of worth or weapons of “mass destruction”
ARE YOU READY TO RUMBLE…!?