Tensions Leading to War, The Declaration, and the Effects of the War on Society Chapter 4 Review

British Acts: Stamp & Townshend March, 1765: George Grenville persuades Parliament to pass the Stamp Act. This act requires colonists to purchase special stamped paper for every legal document, license, newspaper, pamphlet, and almanac. The special “duties” were also imposed on dice and playing cards. This was a direct tax, which colonists reacted to with boycotts and violence against customs officials. Tarring and feathering were common. Although the British repealed the Stamp Act, they issued the Declaratory Act which asserted that Parliament had the right to create laws in the colonies. the Townshend Act was indirect. It taxed materials such as glass, lead, paint and paper. It also placed a three-penny tax on tea. Colonists would again boycott British goods by making their own tea, clothing, and forgoing the purchase of British luxuries.

The Declaration of Independence The Declaration stated that people had “natural, unalienable” rights. Jefferson called these rights “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.” Jefferson also declared that the government derived its power from the consent of the governed. This also meant that people had the right to alter or abolish a government they felt was encroaching on their rights. Jefferson took these ideals from John Locke’s essays which came from the Enlightenment. Locke argued that life, liberty, and private property should be under the protection of the government elected by the people. Unfortunately, the marginalized population was left out of the Declarations clauses. These were the women, Native Americans, and African-Americans (free and enslaved). The Revolutionary promise only applied to the white males in the colonies, and this contradicted the “all men are created equal,” statement.

The Effect of the American Revolution on Society The revolution effected all levels of society, especially the economy. The Congress ran out of gold and silver and had to borrow money through selling bonds to investors and foreign governments. They printed paper money, called Continentals, to pay troops. But massive amounts of paper money being printed without gold to back it led to inflation. Equipment was also in short supply due to the naval blockade, and some agencies engaged in profiteering. This was the sale of goods of poor quality for a profit. Congress appointed Robert Morris as superintendent of finance and he, with the help of Haym Salomon, raised money from a variety of sources to pay the troops in specie (gold coin). Society was also impacted by the loss of workforce since males went to war, as well as the southern loss of over 100,000 slaves that escaped during this time. Women in particular, felt the effects of war.

Roles of the “Other,” in the War Wives were left at home to manage farms, businesses, and raise children. Women also volunteered their services by mending and washing clothes, and making ammunition out of silverware. And some brave women went to war to support their husbands. The most famous was “Molly Pitcher” who was a noncommissioned officer. Many African Americans escaped to freedom, while others joined the fight. They generally joined the side that offered freedom, and some became famous. James Armistead was one such African American who acted as a double spy and aided our victory at Yorktown. Native Americans remained neutral for the most part, while some fought for the British. They feared the colonial advancement into their territories if the British lost the war.

Essay: An Inevitable War? Following the Seven Years’ War, Britain began to heavily tax the colonists. The Sugar Act, Stamp Act, and Townshend Acts were attempts to reduce the national debt in Britain. Colonial reactions to the increase in taxes (i.e. boycotts and violent protests) led to the influx of British troops entering the colonies, which led to some crucial events such as the Boston Massacre, Boston Tea Party, and the rise of the Sons of Liberty and committees of correspondence. It can be argued that America won the war for several reasons: foreign aid from Spain and France, as well as the training of the troops at Valley Forge by Van Stuben, guerrilla warfare tactics utilized against Cornwallis in the South, stopping Burgoyne in Saratoga, and the strategic position of Yorktown. The effects of war were economic and societal. The British had effectively shut down ports which stopped business and trade in the colonies, and running out of hard currency led to inflation as paper currency was printed. Goods also ran out. The women of society had to take the roles of men, and ran businesses and farms as well as coming to the frontlines.