THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION: FROM ELITE PROTEST TO POPULAR REVOLT, America: Past and Present Chapter 5

Structure of Colonial Society n 1760s an optimistic post-war period –striking ethnic and racial diversity –60% of population under 21 years old –high level of post-war prosperity –wealth unevenly distributed n Americans proud to be part of Europe’s most thriving, prosperous empire

Breakdown of Political Trust n George III ascended throne n Suspicions on both sides of the Atlantic that Crown wished to enlarge its powers n Conflict over Parliamentary sovereignty – English officials assumed that Parliament must have ultimate authority – colonists tried to reserve internal colonial authority for their own legislatures

No Taxation Without Representation: the American Perspective n Colonists assume their legislatures equal in some ways to Parliament n Americans not represented at all in Parliament n British officials espoused “virtual representation” n Colonists insist only colonial assemblies could tax Americans

Ideas About Power and Virtue n John Locke, "Commonwealthmen" inform colonial political thought n All governments believed susceptible to corruption into “tyranny” – “tyranny” understood as any attempt to encroach upon the people's liberty n “Virtuous” citizens, alert to rights and determined to live free, resist tyranny

Eroding the Bonds of Empire n Large, expensive army left in America at the end of the Seven Years’ War n Colonists doubted the army’s value n Pontiac’s War –exposed the British army’s weakness –revealed the desperate situation of Native Americans after withdrawal of French n Colonists determined to settle trans- Appalachian West

Paying off the National Debt n First minister George Grenville attempts to reduce England’s war debt n Revenue Act of 1764 (the Sugar Act) n Merchants and gentry protest, most colonists ignore

Colonial Products and Trade

Popular Protest n Stamp Act requires that colonists purchase stamp to validate documents n Unites the gentry and the mass of the population in protest n Stamp Act Congress petitions the King and Parliament for repeal n Protest includes mob riots, boycotts

Failed Attempts to Save the Empire n New administration in office, favors repeal of Stamp Act n Repeal tied to Declaratory Act of 1766 – Parliament sovereign over America "in all cases whatsoever" n Controversy estranges colonists from English officials

Fueling the Crisis: the Townshend Duties n Charles Townshend: chancellor of the exchequer n Townshend Duties tax American imports of paper, lead, glass, and tea n American Board of Customs Commissioners created to collect duties

Fueling the Crisis: Response to the Townshend Duties n Sons of Liberty organize boycott of English goods n Circular letter from Massachusetts House of Representatives urges protest n 92 Massachusetts Representatives defy government order to rescind letter

Fatal Signs of Force n English government moves troops from frontier to Boston to save money n Tensions increased n March 5, English soldiers fired on Boston mob, killed five Americans –incident labeled the “Boston Massacre” –Paul Revere engraving a best-seller n Tensions defused by Lord North

Last Days of the Old Order, n New prime minister, Lord North, leads repeal of all duties except tea n marked by tranquility n Customs collectors antagonize colonists n Radicals protest tea tax as violation of American rights n Committees of correspondence built up alternative political structure

The Final Provocation: The Boston Tea Party n Parliament passes Tea Act – designed to help the East India Company by making its sale cheaper in America n Americans interpret as a subtle ploy to get them to consume taxed tea n December Boston protestors dump the tea into the harbor

The Final Provocation: The Coercive Acts n Port of Boston closed until tea paid for n Massachusetts government restructured – upper house made appointive body – town meetings permitted only once per year n Accused officials to be tried in England, not America n Army authorized to quarter troops wherever needed

The Final Provocation: The Quebec Act n Quebec Act establishes authoritarian government for Canada n Colonists interpret Act as final proof of Parliamentary plot to enslave America n Mainland colonies rally to support Boston, protest the British blockade

The Final Provocation: The Ultimate Crisis n Parliament’s insistence on supremacy would make rebellion unavoidable n Ben Franklin suggests Parliament secure colonial loyalty by renouncing claim to supremacy n Parliament rejects Franklin’s advice

Steps Toward Independence n September First Continental Congress in response to Coercive Acts n Congress commends “Suffolk Resolves” urging forcible resistance n Intercolonial “Association” halts commerce with Britain until Coercive Acts repealed

Shots Heard Around the World n April 19, skirmish breaks out in Lexington, Massachusetts n Fighting spread along road between Lexington, Concord, Boston n English retreat to Boston with heavy losses

Beginning “The World over Again:” Early War Effort n June Congress appoints George Washington commander of Boston force n English government blockades colonial ports, hires German mercenaries n Royal governors urge slaves to take up arms against their masters

Beginning “The World over Again:” Decision for Independence n January Thomas Paine’s Common Sense urges independence n July 2, Independence voted by Congress n July 4--Declaration of Independence issued

Fighting for Independence n The British entered the war confident of a full and complete victory n English task – meet the challenge of a long supply line – use better-trained army to occupy territory – crush the popular spirit of independence n They underestimated the Americans’ commitment to their political ideology

The American Revolution,

Building a Professional Army n Washington’s task – defend territory as well as possible – keep his army intact n The Continental Army would be a fighting force and symbol of the republican cause n Militia’s role: compel support for Revolution

Testing the American Will n American army routed on Long Island n New York City captured n Washington forced to retreat through New Jersey n British obtain thousands of “Oaths of Allegiance” in wake of retreat

"Times That Try Men's Souls" n December 25, Washington captures Trenton n January 3, Washington captures Princeton n Victories rekindle wartime patriotism n British consolidate forces, leave territory in patriot control

Victory in a Year of Defeat n British campaign for New York under John Burgoyne defeated at Saratoga n British capture Philadelphia under General William Howe n Washington's army winters at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

The French Alliance n Saratoga prompts British suit for peace to prevent Franco-American alliance n Terms include repeal of all laws since 1763, respect for colonial taxation rights n February Americans ally with France to secure full independence

The Final Campaign n Spring English capture Savannah and Charleston n August American army routed at Camden, South Carolina n Nathaniel Greene’s forces deal several defeats to English under Cornwallis n October 19, Cornwallis surrenders to Washington’s combined forces

The Loyalist Dilemma n Loyalists treated poorly by both sides n English never fully trusted Loyalists n Patriots seize property, imprison, execute some n More than 100,000 Loyalists leave U.S. at war’s end

Loyalist Strongholds

Winning the Peace n Peace Treaty of 1783 negotiated by Franklin, John Adams, and John Jay n Terms secured by playing France against England, include – independence – U.S. gains all territory east of Mississippi River, between Canada and Florida – U.S. secures fishing rights in North Atlantic

Preserving Independence n The American Revolution begins construction of new form of government n Question remains: a government of the elite or a government of the people?