The Road to Revolution: (1763-1776)

Was the American Revolution inevitable??

The Roots of Revolution Republicanism A just society in which all citizens give up certain rights for the common good Modeled by early Greeks & Romans selflessness Radical Whigs Feared the threat to liberty posed by the monarch Warned citizens against corruption

Mercantilism British American Colonials The belief that wealth was power and a country’s wealth (power) was measured by the amount of gold and silver in its treasury. British Used Mercantilism to justify their control of the colonies Colonies supplied raw materials and a market for exports Parliament passed laws to regulate mercantilism American Colonials Also reaped the benefits of mercantilism The system limited economic opportunity Made colonists dependent on Britain

Prime Minister George Grenville’s Program 6311763-17657-1765 In order for Britain to pay the cost of war The Navigation Laws would be strictly enforced Sugar Act – 1764 Quartering Act – 1765 Stamp Act – 1765

Stamp Act Crisis Loyal Nine – 1765- sent 27 delegates to NY Sons of Liberty – began in NYC: Samuel Adams Stamp Act Congress – 1765 * Stamp Act Resolves – adopted the Non-importation Agreements Declaratory Act – 1766 – repealed the Stamp Act

Tar and Feathering

Townshend Duties Crisis: 1767-1770 1767  Charles Townshend, Secretary of the Exchequer Shift from paying taxes for British war debts & quartering of troops  paying colonial govt. salaries. He diverted revenue collection from internal to external trade. Tax these imports  paper, paint, lead, glass, tea. Increase custom officials at American ports  established a Board of Customs in Boston.

The Boston Massacre (March 5,1770)

many colonists began calling people who joined the non-importation For the first time, many colonists began calling people who joined the non-importation movement, "patriots!"

Committees of Correspondence Purpose  warn neighboring colonies about incidents with British  broaden the resistance movement.

Tea Act (1773) British East India Co.: Monopoly on British tea imports Britain expected the colonists to eagerly choose the cheaper tea. They refused because to do so would recognize Parliament’s right to tax the colonies

Boston Tea Party (1773)

The Coercive or Intolerable Acts (1774) 1. Port Act 2. Government Act 3. New Quartering Act Lord North 4. Administration of Justice Act