1. On the way to revolution
APUSH MRs Murphy

2. Mercantilism: The Theory
Government goal = to gain wealth (gold and silver, resources) for their country.
There is a fixed amount of wealth in the world (only so much gold and silver).
To get more wealth you need to get it from another country by selling goods or taking over weaker countries.

3. Mercantilism and Colonies
Mother countries – get all the benefits from colonies
Sell manufactured goods to colonies who are not allowed to produce them
Take all the raw materials out of the country to make industrial goods
Colonies – best markets & customers

4. English Mercantilism Navigation Acts
American colonies may only ship their goods on English ships with English merchants
American colonies may not buy or sell goods to or from foreign powers
All American goods will be shipped through English ports

5. English Trade Monopoly
All money goes to England
However, England was in several wars and did not enforce the Navigation Act
American merchants (smugglers) sold goods to the West Indies and beyond

6. American Manufacturing
It was limited – but it did exist
British did not want competition and tried to keep hats, iron, other goods from being made.
Not totally enforced.

7. Albany Conference
Join colonies for defense with Iroquois against other tribes
7 colonies meet – Ben Franklin’s idea He suggests a joint governing board and a union for defense
Colonies choose not to join & Great Britain not for it

8. French and Indian War 1754-63 Global war
Constant tension between Great Britain and France
French colonies and control of rivers & water (Mississippi, St Lawrence, Great Lakes)
Disputed area along the Ohio River Valley – claimed by Virginia & French

9. French and Indian War
Begins in the colonies not in Europe over a problem Washington had with the French
He builds a fort as he felt they were on Virginia’s land
A French diplomat is killed by Washington’s Indian Allies – starts the war.

10. American Colonists Fight
Militias – casual groups – no real army discipline as they are friends from a certain colony
They felt they fought Indians better than the British who always fought formally as they did in Europe (not like guerilla war tactics of Indians)

11. British Subsidize Militias
Colonies were more willing to provide soldiers once Great Britain subsidized militia.
British officers looked down on the militia or anything American and did not give people credit where credit is due
Dislike and resentment of British starts with condescending army in colonies

12. British win the war
France loses their North American colonies except a few islands in the Caribbean
Spain gains Louisiana from France
England gains Canada
English decide to change how they rule in America

13. England in Debt After War
English feel colonists should pay for war debt as war was fought in North America
Colonists are not taxes as much as English citizens in England – so this seems fair
Salutary Neglect – England was busy in wars and did not enforce laws in colonies for 60 years – colonists used to self government

14. English Change Rule Decide to enforce old laws
Navigation Acts – put American merchants out of business (so they smuggle)
Start a series of taxes in the colonies which irritate the colonist who feel they are Englishmen and should not be taxed unless they vote to tax themselves

15. English totally out of sync with American views
Proclamation of 1763 prohibits colonists from moving west –
Colonists need more land and fight the Indians over it
British do not want to pay for wars with Indians
Irritates colonists

16. Stamp Act 1765
Pay for stamps attached to all paper goods – legal papers, newspapers, playing cards, dice.
James Otis argues that this is not legal as this is taxation without representation
England says Parliament is “virtually” representing the colonies.

17. Self Rule Colonists used to self rule
All had legislatures – New England voted them in, in some Southern colonies appointed – Virginia’s House of Burgesses – held by wealthy Virginia families
White males in charge – land owners
All legislatures had voted to tax colonies when needed but they were real representatives of the colonists and could be removed by the colonists

18. Stamp Act Congress Oct 1765 9 colonies work together against Stamp Act
Some Tax Collectors “Persuaded” not to collect taxes (by tar and feathers)
Boycott of British goods ( will not buy) – merchants in London push Parliament to take tax away

19. Stamp Act repealed
Parliament passes Declaratory Act saying they have the right to rule and tax their colonies.