The American Revolution Global Influences on the Development of Canada

Link to Canada This act of rebellion that led to the creation of not one but two countries… the USA and Canada.

Causes Seven Years War between expensive. Taxes collected in Great Britain were not even covering debt GB looked to its North American colonies to pay up. Colonists did not enjoy full citizenship “No taxation without representation!” The Intolerable Acts Quebec Act of 1774

The Boston Tea Party An incident on Dec. 16, 1773, in which colonists in Boston threw 342 chests of tea from three British ships into Boston Harbour. The protest was to prevent the payment of a British-imposed tax on tea and an objection to the British monopoly of the colonial tea trade. (Encyclopaedia Britannica) They felt it was a violation of their rights to be taxed by anyone other than their own elected representatives

The Intolerable Acts and the Continental Congress In 1775 the American colonies held a Continental Congress Their grievances focused upon what were dubbed the “Intolerable Acts” which were the British response to the “Boston Tea Party”

The Boston Port Act The first of these closed the port of Boston until the East India Company was paid for the lost tea. This created a great hardship for the people of Boston whose livelihood depended on trade.

Massachusetts Government Act The second modified the Massachusetts Charter of 1691, taking away many of its rights of self- government. Massachusetts was very proud of its independence and was angry at this infringement on its rights.

Administration of Justice Act The third measure provided that British officials accused of committing crimes in a colony might be taken to England for trial.

The Quartering Act The fourth measure allowed the governor of Massachusetts to quarter soldiers at Boston in taverns and unoccupied buildings.

The Quebec Act The fifth act was not intended to punish the colonies. It extended the boundaries of the province of Quebec.

Reasons NOT to rebel… English Canadians risked access to the land granted under the terms of the Quebec Act French Canadians - “better the devil you know than the devil you don’t”! Quebec and Nova Scotia remained neutral (trade). Aboriginal peoples considered sovereignty

Canada attacked In 1775 the Americans moved on Canada by attacking Montreal and Quebec City. 1) capture Canada for the land 2) prevent the British from using Canada as a base for attacks The capture of Montreal was successful The French Canadians remained neutral through the sieges until local farms were being looted and French people were being harrassed. (Ferguson, 149)

But… By December 31, 1775 the invasion was all but over. The Rebel troops were only under contract until the end of the year Americans launched a desperate last attempt to take Quebec. It failed miserably! By July of 1776 the Americans had withdrawn from Canada completely.

The Republic The Continental Congress issued the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776 and created a new republic.

Loyalists The American Revolution divided families and communities In the 13 Colonies those who remained loyal to Britain were often harassed, mass evacuation of 100,00 Loyalists in New York 50,000 of these British subjects relocated to Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.

Loyalists continued… The Black Loyalists were slaves promised freedom by the British if they deserted their American masters and fought for the British. Unfortunately the promises of freedom did not guarantee fair treatment. Finally, 2000 Iroquois Loyalists were also forced to move north to Ontario. Land was granted to these new inhabitants of British North America resulted in the displacement of Aboriginal peoples.

Results? The Treaty of Paris (1783) ended the American Revolution. The British concede defeat and gave up the resource rich Ohio River Valley to the newly formed USA. Once again Aboriginal lands were handed over thought the British technically could not lay claim to it. The border along the Great Lakes remains to this day.

Works Cited "Boston Tea Party." Encyclopedia Britannica Mar Brainard, Jennifer. "The Five "Intolerable Acts"" Historywiz Mar Ferguson, Will. Canadian History for Dummies. Toronto: Wiley Publishing, Inc., 2000