ON THE WAY TO THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION “Under the law of nature, all men are born free…..” - Thomas Jefferson

REVIEW GREAT AWAKENING TO ENLIGHTENMENT A shift in ideas that now man can reason, think and discover for himself about God, mankind and the universe. Now start to emphasize man’s FREEDOM.

THE AGE OF REASON is born

Political John Locke (Life, Liberty & Property) A social contract (mutual agreement) that creates a government whose purpose is to protect individuals rights.

Economic Adam Smith - Wealth of Nations said government shouldn’t interfere w/ business. Also society should have private property, free enterprise and profit. Laissez-faire …hands off!!!

Intellectual Ben Franklin & Benjamin Banneker - Observation and experiment. Scientific approach. Natural Laws. Galileo & Copernicus.

Religion Thomas Paine - Morals could be determined by reason and natural law instead of religious authorities.

Salutary Neglect & Mercantilism Wanted more money coming in than going out. So they need to regulate/control trade. Pass laws!!! England didn’t enforce them (SN) and the colonies benefited. Smuggling, evading laws, bribery and triangular trade helped the colonies get used to free trade…..until the French & Indian War and 1763!!!!

French & Indian War

French & British Rivalry France and Great Brittan competed for money and colonies – they would fight 4 wars over 7 years! Fought over resources and land especially the land in the Ohio River Valley Clashed over fur trade and fishing rights (especially in Nova Scotia) Great Brittan feared French toe hold in new world

French & Native Americans Native Americans were viewed as allies – The enemy of my enemy is my friend French were tolerant of Native American customs and beliefs French interested in fur trade not in land acquisition Often French men took Native American wives

Iroquois Confederation The most powerful group of Native Americans Women owned property and were responsible for decision making 5 nations: Mohawk, Seneca, Cayuga, Onondaga and Oneida Remained independent by playing the French and English against each other

American Colonies Take Action 1753 Governor Robert Dinwiddie (VA) sent George Washington to tell the French that they were trespassing in British territory France wanted the Ohio Valley or else…. In response,

George Washington’s First Command 1754 Lt Col. Washington was sent into the Ohio Valley to build a fort – Fort Necessity The French had Fort Duquesne (present day Pittsburg George Washington attacked a French scouting party Washington and militia were surrounded and had to surrender Washington became a hero because he acted first

Albany Plan of Union Representatives from New England, New York, Pennsylvania and Maryland met in June of 1754 in Albany, NY to discuss the war The plan was suggested by Ben Franklin Called for one general government for all the American colonies A single elected legislature would have the power to collect taxes, raise troops and regulate trade Plan was not agreed to

Braddock Marches to Duquesne The Commander-in-chief of British troops in America, General Edward Braddock, along with 1,400 red coat and blue coated colonial militia, led by Washington, left for Fort Duquesne Washington tells Braddock that the British style of war was not suited for frontier warfare July 9, 1755 Native Americans and French forces ambush the British; panic ensues and England is defeated General Braddock is killed

England Declares War on France After the defeat of Braddock, England declares war on France and starts the 7 Years War France and Spain against England, fought in Cuba, the West Indies, India, the Philippians, North America and Europe England was not doing well, the Native Americans were using roads and bridges built by the British to attack frontier farms thus driving the British back to the coast

Pitt Takes Charge Pitt came to power as Secretary of State then became Prime Minister Pitt agreed that England would pay for the war as a means to appease the colonists The war was very expensive, more so than Pitt imagined, so he taxed the colonists to pay for it Officers Jeffery Amhurst and James Wolfe among others led British troops who recaptured the forts lost to the French

The Battle of Quebec September 1759 General James Wolfe found a weakness in the thought to be impenetrable fortress/stronghold of Quebec On the Plains of Abraham the British surprised and defeated the French troops Both commanders, James Wolfe (GB) and the Marquis de Montcalm (FR) died due to wounds received in battle

The Treaty of Paris 1763 marked the end of the French and Indian War France kept their West Indies sugar plantations, but had to give up Canada and land east of the Mississippi River to England Spain had to give up Florida to England Spain got the land west of the Mississippi River (LA territory)

Pontiac’s War Allied with France Pontiac, chief of the Ottawa village, wanted to join the Native American groups to fight against England because England represented a threat to the Native American way of life 1763 the alliance was formed Laid siege to English forts at Detroit and other outposts in the Great Lakes region War parties raided settlers along the frontier Pontiac’s war ended after the French signed the Treaty of Paris. Left Pontiac out in the cold Pennsylvania settlers took revenge against peaceful Indian villages for the raids

Proclamation of 1763 Appalachian Mountains was the western border for the colonies Angered colonists who expected to get the spoils of war The Ohio Company of Virginia, speculators, lost the money invested in the land of the Ohio River Valley There was peace in the land, but the Proclamation caused friction between England and the colonies

CHANGE COMES FOR THE COLONIES!!!! England needs to pay for the war and the colonies are expected to help……. The Navigation Acts and mercantilism are enforced. (Buy/sell for benefit of England) The Proclamation of 1763 kept the colonists out of the new land to protect them from indian attacks British troops to stay in the frontier to protect…the colonists paying 1/3 the cost!!!

Next step…revolution Quick preview of the causes! England’s neglect & power Taxation w/o representation Limiting individual rights Mercantilism Trade restrictions Economic power Colonists use of free enterprise