Chapter 5 THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION From Elite Protest to Popular Revolt, 1763–1783

That’s Weird The term "the whole 9 yards" came from WWII fighter pilots in the Pacific. When arming their airplanes on the ground, the.50 caliber machine gun ammo belts measured exactly 27 feet, before being loaded into the fuselage. If the pilots fired all their ammo at a target, it got "the whole 9 yards.” Armored knights raised their visors to identify themselves when they rode past their king. This custom has become the modern military salute. The phrase "sleep tight" derives from the fact that early mattresses were filled with straw and held up with rope stretched across the bed frame. A tight sleep was a comfortable sleep.

Colonial Products and Trade

Structure of Colonial Society 1760s an optimistic post-war period Striking ethnic and racial diversity 60% of population under twenty-one years old Relatively high per-capita GDP Most still considered themselves as British subjects

Breakdown of Political Trust 1760—George III ascends throne – Despite limited ability, wants to take more active role in government Parliamentary sovereignty – English officials assume that Parliament must have ultimate authority over colonial governments Colonists try to reserve internal colonial authority for their own legislatures – Americans not represented at all in Parliament – Colonists insist only colonial assemblies should represent Americans

Eroding the Bonds of Empire Large, expensive debt and army left in America from Seven Years’ War Colonists doubt the army’s value Pontiac’s War – Exposes the British army’s weakness Colonists determined to settle trans- Appalachian West Proclamation of 1763 bans settlement in trans-Appalachian West (Avoid conflict w/Native Americans)

Paying Off the National Debt Prime Minister George Grenville attempts to reduce England’s war debt – Sugar Act 1764 (redefines relationship w/G.B.) – Stamp Act 1765 (Raise revenue to pay for British troops) A series of other Acts will be passed that will lead to protest and all out war!!!!

Popular Protest Sons of Liberty protest includes riots, mob violence, and boycotts – Boston Massacre (March, 1770) – Boston Tea Party (Dec, 1773) Coercive Acts are implemented

Steps Toward Independence First Continental Congress in response to Coercive Acts (Sept, 1774) Congress commends urging forcible resistance Lexington and Concord (April 1775) – “The Shot Heard Around the World” – Second Continental Congress called (May, 1775)

Brain Scan 49 of people try to do this on an airplane. What is it? – Find their house The average household losses 3 of these a year. What are they? – Forks Every year 2,000 people are injured doing this in the kitchen. What is it? – Separating frozen food with a knife

Beginning “The World Over Again” British colonial governments collapse Second Continental Congress—action and inaction – British blockade makes compromise unlikely – June 1775—Organize the colonies for war (George Washington appointed commander in chief) January 1776—Thomas Paine’s Common Sense – Convinces ordinary colonists to sever ties with Britain Jefferson writes Declaration of Independence – Influenced by John Locke – July 4—Declaration of Independence issued – “all men are created equal” and “king is the cause”

Fighting for Independence British confident of victory – Larger population, more resources – Naval supremacy British underestimate Americans’ commitment to their political ideology – Most were volunteers – Continental army to be a fighting force and symbol of the republican cause

The French Alliance Does not go well for Americans for the first two years Effects of Saratoga (Oct 1777) – Convinces France that colonists are serious enough to become formal allies – This alliance leads to colonial victory The American Revolution, 1775–1781

Loyalist Strongholds

The Loyalist Dilemma Loyalists share basic ideology with Patriots Loyalists see rebellion as endangering “life, liberty, and property” Loyalists treated poorly by both sides – British never fully trust Loyalists – Patriots seize property, imprison, execute some – More than 100,000 Loyalists leave U.S. at war’s end

Winning the Peace American negotiators are John Jay, Ben Franklin, and John Adams Peace Treaty of 1783 – U.S. independence recognized – U.S. gets all territory east of Mississippi River, between Canada and Florida – U.S. secures fishing rights in North Atlantic – U.S. will help British merchants and Loyalists collect debts

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?

Fun Historical Facts Benjamin Franklin invented several things in his lifetime. Some of his inventions include: bifocals, urinary catheter, the lightning rod, the Franklin stove, odometer, and a tool called the long arm (to grasp objects too high for him to reach) Of Americas Founding Fathers who became president, only, George Washington did not go to college Nowhere in the Constitution does it say that U.S. Supreme Court justices have to be lawyers or have any kind of legal training at all (James Byrnes, was on the court from 1941 to 1942, had little formal education and never attended college)