1. The Road to Revolution

2. The Deep Roots 2 Ideas within colonists
Republicanism -> society in which all citizens willingly lower their private interests for the common good
Radical whigs feared threat to liberty / Rights they Earned -> corruption through monarch and Parliament (patronage/bribes)
Colonists become accustomed to running their own affairs
DISTANCE WEAKENS AUTHORITY (Motherland vs. Colonial Land)

3. Mercantilism and Colonial Grievances
Georgia only colony formally established by British gov’t
Mercantilism -> wealth was power (Britain justified control over colonies)
Export more than import = more gold and silver
Colonies provide raw materials (limited imports needed) and market for exports (desirable goods)
British gov’t to colonies:
Colonies expected to give certain products (tobacco, sugar, ships, etc.)
Refrain from exporting certain items
Buy imported manufactured goods exclusively from Britain
Stop beliefs of economic self-sufficiency or self-government
Passage of Navigation Laws (everything done through Britain)
Began to create a money shortage in colonies (used other things)
Britain had right to nullify any legislation passed in colonial assemblies
General welfare being sacrificed for Britain’s well-being?

4. Good/Bad News of Mercantilism
Seems selfish and cruel
Loosely enforced Navigational Laws
Smuggling becomes easy (John Hancock)
Colonies gain from British control
London wants ship parts
Monopoly of tobacco in Britain
Protection from the world’s greatest army/navy
Burdened by liabilities
Lowered economic initiative
Colonies begin to feel used

5. Trouble in Paradise Britain in huge debt after French and Indian War
P.M. George Grenville orders Navy to strictly enforce Navigation Laws
Passed the Sugar Act
Raised tax revenue in the colonies by taxing imported sugar
Quartering Act
Required colonies to provide food and quarters for British troops
Stamp Tax
Mandated the use of stamped paper showing the payment of taxes
Colonists become angry -> taking away rights and liberties
“guilty until proven innocent” in admiralty courts
“No taxation without representation”
Leads to colonies wanting political independence

6. Colonies Fight Back Stamp Act Congress Nonimportation agreements
Devised plan to repeal legislation
Nonimportation agreements
Colonists become self-reliant
Development of Sons/Daughters of Liberty
Constantly heckled stamp agents
Britain responds with the Declaratory Act
Absolute power of the colonies

7. Townshend Acts
Named after Charles Townshend – leading government minister at time
Placed duties on imported goods such as glass, lead, paint, and paper (came from Britain)
3 penny tax on tea (most popular drink)
Protests bring slogan “taxation without representation”
Boycott of British goods – development of things such as spinning bees by women
British seized the Liberty (belonged to John Hancock)
Triggered riots = British stationed troops (Redcoats)

8. The Boston Massacre
Competition between colonists and poorly paid soldiers
March 5, 1770
Fist fight broke out
Mob gathered outside Customs Office and began taunting the guards
Shots fired = 5 dead
Defenseless citizens were killed
Things calmed down for 2 years
Rhode island colonists attacked a British patrolman
Committees of correspondence = communication network

9. Boston Tea Party
British East India Company was overstocked with tea because of boycotts
England imposes the tea act
Allowed the company to sell tea free of taxes
Cut out colonists; hoped colonists would buy cheaper tea
Protested violently
December 1773 – colonists dressed as Native Americans took action on 3 British ships
Dumped 18,000 pounds of tea into Boston Harbor

10. Intolerable Acts
Multiple laws passed in response to the Boston Tea Party
Shut down Boston Harbor
Martial Law – rule by military
Committees of Correspondence reacted by establishing the 1st Continental Congress
56 Delegates meet in Philadelphia and compose a list of colonial rights

11. Bloodshed First Continental Congress
Response to the Intolerable Acts which included a Declaration of Rights
Parliament rejected the “Congress’s” petitions
Continued protests against people who were against these ideas
Troops go to Lexington and Concord
Seize armory
Minutemen defended it -> said to be the first shots of Revolutionary War

12. Imperial Strength and Weakness
Britain had the advantage on many levels (population, military, etc.)
Also had help from the hessians (hired German mercenaries), Some Native Americans, and American loyalists
Britain responsible for watching Ireland
France wanting retaliation
Whigs fear winning the war would create a tyranny like gov’t
Sent second rate generals to lead, poor conditions for soldiers, fighting 3k miles from home
Colonies had no urban center to capture

13. American Strengths
Outstanding leadership in the colonies (Ex. -> G.W.)
Foreign aid from France
Marquis de Lafayette
Playing a defending role
Self sustained through agriculture

14. American Weaknesses Poorly organized for war Poorly united leadership
Individual pride within each region
Economic difficulty
Printed money = inflation = increase in prices
Lack in military supplies (too dependent on Britain?)
Poorly trained militiamen
Valley Forge, Pa
Soldiers faced a brutal winter with very little food
Did not have clothing or shoes

15. A Thin Line of Heroes Women play role in war
Maintained farms/businesses, cooked for armies, etc.
Baron von Steuben -> becomes general in colonial army and provides very strict but well-needed training
Blacks fight in war for colonies
Also serve as cooks, guides, spies, drivers, and road builders
American progress hindered by profiteers
Put their own profits before the “American Cause”