1. The French and Indian War and Colonial Tension
Unit 2, Lesson 1

2. Essential Idea
Following the French and Indian War, England’s policies caused the colonies to consider independence.

3. French and Indian War Causes:
England and France had long fought for dominance in Europe
Both countries also claimed land in America
England and France built forts and began to fight over the Ohio River Valley

4. Major Events The Albany Congress
The Albany Congress- In 1754, delegates (representatives) from seven colonies met in New York
Led by Benjamin Franklin, the delegates developed the Albany Plan of Union
This plan proposed the colonies unite and form a federal (central) government

5. Impact of Albany Plan The colonies ultimately rejected the Albany Plan
The Albany Plan was important because it was the FIRST time the colonies considered UNITING

6. Fighting
The French and some Indian tribes fought on one side, English (British) and colonists fought on the other
George Washington became a hero to the colonists for his courage during the war
England was able to win largely because its superior navy blocked supplies between France and “New France”
Spain eventually joined France, but England won the war in 1763

7. Treaty of Paris (1763) The Treaty: Treaty of Paris (1763) Terms:
The French and Indian War (and Seven Years War) ended with England as the winner
France gave the eastern part of New France to England
To compensate Spain, France gave the western part of New France to Spain, including New Orleans

9. Britain’s Colonial Policies Evolve
Pontiac’s Rebellion:
Colonists had crossed the Appalachian Mountains to settle new land, encroaching on Indians
In 1763, Indian Chief Pontiac responded by leading attacks on British forts
Pontiac's Rebellion
British troops stopped the rebellion, but wanted to prevent further conflict

10. Continue Salutary Neglect?
Prior to the war, England’s policy toward the colonies was largely hands- off (salutary neglect)
The French and Indian War made England take more control of the colonies, especially after Pontiac’s Rebellion

11. England Tightens Its Grip
England was in debt because of war
England had new territory to govern and protect with soldiers, which was expensive
England felt that the colonies should pay to reduce English debt and pay for English soldiers
England’s new policies to solve its financial problems made colonists grow resentful and some considered independence

12. Proclamation of 1763 “Round One” British Action:
Proclamation of King George III ordered no more colonial settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains
Colonial Response:
Colonists were angry because they wanted more land and many moved west anyway, ignoring the law

13. The Sugar Act (1764) British Action:
Sugar Act of this law taxed sugar and molasses, mainly impacting merchants
Merchants caught smuggling were deemed guilty until proven innocent
Colonial Reaction:
Many felt England had no right to pass taxes if colonies had no representatives in British Parliament
Many felt taxes should only come from local legislatures
The phrase “no taxation without representation” became popular

14. Quartering Act (1765) British Action:
Quartering Act- required colonists to provide food and shelter to British soldiers
Colonial Reaction:
Resentment grew, forming the basis for the future 3rd Amendment to the US Constitution

15. The Stamp Act (1765) British Action:
Stamp Act of this act was the first DIRECT TAX on the colonists (not just merchants)
Almost all printed materials were taxed, including newspapers, posters, deeds, and even playing cards
The Stamp Act

16. Stamp Act Opposed Colonial Reactions:
Vigilante groups like the Sons of Liberty organized demonstrations and terrorized tax collectors
Colonial delegates formed the Stamp Act Congress and asked the king to repeal the law
Non-importation agreements- many colonists agreed to boycott British products

18. Stamp Act Repealed British Action:
Because of colonial protest and boycotts, England repealed the Stamp Act
Declaratory Act- to save face, this law declared England’s authority to make laws for the colonies

19. Townshend Acts “Round Two” British Action:
Townshend Acts- this series of acts taxed items like tea, paper, and glass
Writs of Assistance- general warrants to search colonists’ property for smuggled goods
Violators were tried in admiralty courts where they were presumed guilty

20. Colonists Protest Again
Colonial Reaction:
John Dickinson’s “Letters From a Farmer in Pennsylvania” argued “no taxation without representation”
Samuel Adams distributed the “circular letter,” criticizing the Townshend Acts
Colonists resumed non- importation agreements

21. The Boston Massacre British Action:
Britain dispatched 1,000 troops to Boston to keep order, where colonists heckled them
Boston Massacre- British soldiers fired on a heckling crowd of colonists, killing five
The Boston Massacre
Colonial Reaction:
Radicals like Samuel Adams used newspapers to portray England as oppressive tyrants
Colonists were furious, but tensions calmed when Britain repealed most of the Townshend Acts

22. Paul Revere’s Version

23. 1856 Bias?