THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION Causes of the Revolution Ch. 4.1

FOCUS QUESTION? What caused the colonists to rebel against the British?

The Colonist’s Political Heritage The colonists enjoyed the rights as Englishmen. Liberties such as: due process trial by jury freedom of press protection from foreign attack More importantly, colonists cherished the right to pay no tax unless it was levied by their representative.

The British Government The British government had 3 branches: Executive – British Monarchy Legislative – Parliament (House of Commons/House of Lords) Judicial Aristocrats inherited seats in the House of Lords, while the House of Commons was determined by small elections.

By definition, Great Britain’s government was a democracy. (rule by the people) Colonial governments followed the British model, but there were some differences.

But, by Modern Standards, Britain was not very democratic Wealth and birth determined power and status. There was no formal charter outlining citizen rights. Only a quarter of British males could vote. Parliament claimed virtual representation allowing it to make laws for all British subjects.

In Contrast, the Colonies Were Quite Democratic Most colonies had elected assemblies. These charters outlined individual rights. Colonial assemblies controlled royal governors by withholding their salaries. Most males could vote for their assemblies but none could vote for parliament.

Comparing British & Colonial Governments Great BritainAmerican Colonies King Inherited executive power Governor Appointed by the King but paid by colonial legislature ParliamentColonial Legislatures House of Lords Aristocrats with inherited legislative power Upper House or Council Prominent citizens appointed by the governor House of Commons Elected by the few wealthy property owners Lower House or Assembly Elected property owners about two-thirds of colonists

New Taxes Upset the Colonists After the French and Indian War, Parliament decided to tax the colonies. WHY WOULD THEY DO SUCH A THING?? -The war raised Britain’s debt. Defending the colonies was expensive. -People in G.B. where already paid higher taxes. -By collecting taxes and paying royal governors directly, Parliament could take control from the colonial assemblies.

New Taxes Upset Colonists Sugar Act Prime Minister George Grenville assigned customs officers and special courts to collect taxes and prosecute smugglers.

In 1765, Parliament passed another unpopular law, the Quartering Act. This required colonists to provide housing and supplies for British soldiers.

In March of 1765, Parliament passed a bill simply intended to raise money off of the colonies. The Stamp Act taxed printed materials such as newspapers, books, and contracts. This is the first time Britain put a direct tax on the colonies.

Outrage from the Colonists The colonists angrily protested the Stamp Act claiming it threatened their prosperity and liberty. They questioned Parliament’s right to tax directly and feared this would be the first of many new taxes. Colonists did not vote in Parliament --“No Taxation Without Representation”

Parliament Rejects Complaints Parliament represented, and could tax, any subject. Other citizens could not vote but still paid taxes. The revenue was necessary. The colonists could afford to pay their share. The colonists were selfish and narrow minded.

Colonial Protests Intensify Tax resistance from colonists took three forms: intellectual protests, economic boycotts, and violent intimidation. All three combined to force the British to back down. Colonial leaders, such as John Adams, wrote pamphlets, drafted resolutions, gave speeches, and delivered sermons to persuade colonists to defy the new taxes.

Enlightenment Ideas Colonial protests drew upon the liberalism of Enlightened thinkers such as Baron de Montesquieu and John Locke. They argued the people had natural rights, such as life, liberty, and property. A good government protects these rights. If the government fails, the people have the right to protest and even overthrow their government.

Colonists Become Radical Patrick Henry, a Virginian representative, used these idea to draft a radical document, the Virginia Resolves. He argued that only colonial assemblies had the right to tax the colonies. May 30, 1765 the Virginia House of Burgesses accepted most of Henry’s ideas. Eight other colonies soon accept similar resolves.

Patriot Leaders Emerge Opposition to the new British taxes, like the Stamp Act, united the colonists. Colonists who opposed British taxes were called “Patriots.” Bostonian Samuel Adams led an association known as the Sons of Liberty. Protests progressively became more violent as “patriots” attacked tax collectors and supporters.

Leader Organize a Boycott Some colonial leaders opposed taxes but did not agree with the violence. Nine colonies sent delegates to NYC in October 1765 for the Stamp Act Congress. Consumer boycotts were promoted of all imported British goods.- Nonimportation Agreement

New Taxes Lead to New Protests The Stamp Act crisis showed that the colonists would not accept a direct tax, but Britain still needed money. Britain repealed the Stamp Act but replaced it with the Townshend Act (1767). This taxed everyday items such as glass, lead, paper, paint, and tea.

Violence Erupts in Boston Colonists insisted that would pay no taxes of any sort and violence erupts once again. The Massachusetts legislature issued a letter denouncing the Townshend duties. The governor responded by dissolving the legislature.

Customs officers seized a merchant ship Liberty in June 1768 for smuggling. The boat belonged to John Hancock, a wealthy merchant and a prominent colonial politician. This set off riots. The British crown responded by sending in 4,000 troop into a city of 16,000.

The Boston Massacre For over a year, the presence of British troops inflamed popular anger, especially because the poorly paid troops competed with locals for jobs. March 1770, angry colonists hurled snowballs and rocks at British troops. The troops fired back killing five people, including Crispus Attacks.

Patriots, such as Samuel Adams, used this Boston Massacre to incite and organize colonists. Committees of Correspondence were created leadership and cooperation. Britain removed the troops from Boston and dropped the Townshend duties all except for tea.

The Boston Tea Party Parliament gave the British East India Tea Company a special deal that made its tea cheapest in the colonies. Colonists felt the British were trying to trick them into paying the tax on tea. (also it would hurt the smugglers) On Dec. 16, 1773, Boston patriots dressed as Indians and dumped the tea into Boston Harbor.

Colonists Unite Against Harsh Measures Parliament passed the Coercive Acts to Punish Boston. - Closed the port of Boston - Quartered troops - Increase governor’s power - Allowed British officials to be tried in Britain.

The Intolerable Acts Patriots reacted in violence, armed with weapons they forced courts of law to shut down and tarred and feathered British supporters.

The Colonies Take Action In 1774 delegates from all the colonies, except Georgia, met in Philadelphia, First Continental Congress. Patrick Henry “ Give me liberty or give me death.” “ I am not a Virginian, but an American.”

To pressure the British out of the Coercive Acts, the Congress boycotted all British imports. Patriots established new local governments that bypassed Parliament and the crown. At this point, very few wanted independence (John Adams)… Wishful thinkers felt the King would pressure Parliament to no longer tax them.