Colonies in Revolt Foner chapters 5-6 Onset of crisis Road to revolution Coming of Independence Progress of the war Toward Victory Recognizing American independence
Breakdown of political trust ► Views of Empire: British versus American Subordinate position of colonies vs. equality Virtual representation “No taxation without representation” ► eroding the bonds of empire western expansion created land disputes and conflicts corrupt authorities ► popular protest writers Boston Massacre-1770 Boston Tea Party-1773 Sons of Liberty Regulators Ethan Allen in Vermont Hudson Valley
Paying off the Seven Year’s War debt ► British wanted more efficient and systematic control ► British: “reasonable” for colonists to help pay for the debt (trillions in today’s $$) to foot part of the bill for protection to stop cheating on taxes from trade ► Grenville attempts to reduce war debt ► Sugar, Stamp, Declaratory, Townshend acts boycott imports use “homemade” reawakening of popular protest
Colonial Products and Trade
Final Provocation ► Coercive Acts, Quebec Act, ultimate crisis ► Suffolk Resolutions Disobey British law, withhold taxes, prepare for war ► First Continental Congress-1774 ► Rights of Englishmen to natural rights ► Shot heard round the world-1775 April-Lexington and Concord ► Second Continental Congress Raise an army, present grievances, appoint George Washington, Continental Army Commander ► Irreparable breach blockades German mercenaries ► Common Sense, Paine “…but an American” Mass appeal Ground swell for independence
Declaration of Independence ► Thomas Jefferson, principle writer ► adopted on July 4, 1776 ► break all ties with Great Britain “When in the course of human events… “truths to be self-evident” “inalienable rights” “history of repeated injuries and usurpations” list of abuses “absolute tyranny” pledge “ lives, fortune, and sacred honor” ROLE IN FOUNDING AMERICA? Alexander Hamilton Thomas Jefferson George Washington Thomas Paine John Adams Samuel Adams
War comes ► Colonial ambivalence (thirds) ► Building a professional army ► Test of will “THESE are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.” ► Early Years ► Saratoga (Burgoyne) French alliance, recognize USA ► War in the South ► Yorktown, 1781 ► Treaty of Paris, 1783 What river?
The American Revolution, British advantages American advantages Black soldiers Alliance with France and Spain sagging fortunes Loyalists Toward Victory Cowpens and Guilford Yorktown Opening peace negotiations
War and the People ► Loyalist dilemma ► Indians ► slaves ► voting ► religion ► women ► economy
Winning the Peace ► Peace Treaty of 1783 negotiated by Franklin, John Adams, and John Jay ► Terms secured by playing France against England independence U.S. gains all territory east of Mississippi River, between Canada and Florida U.S. secures fishing rights in North Atlantic
Preserving Independence ► The American Revolution begins construction of new form of government Question remains: a government of the elite or a government of the people?