1. The Revolutionary Era

2. What political, social, and economic factors led to the American Revolution?
Britain reexamined its long-standing policy of salutary neglect.
Began enforcing old restrictions and issuing new ones
English political tradition emphasized limiting the power of the ruler (Magna Carta, English Bill of Rights, etc.)
1763 – Weak authority of royal governors was exposed (had to share power with colonial assemblies); Proclamation of 1763 led to colonial resentment

3. The Issue of Taxation Stricter enforcement of the Navigation Acts
Sugar Act of 1764 – first act passed with the express purpose of raising revenue
Currency Act of 1764 – outlawed colonial issues of paper money
Stamp Act of 1765 – all printed materials had to be stamped indicating a tax had been paid to the Crown
Prime Minister George Grenville used concept of virtual representation to dismiss colonial concerns

4. The Stamp Act Congress
Delegates from nine colonies met to form a collective response to the Stamp Act
Petitioned King George III and Parliament asking for repeal of the act
Called for a boycott on all trade with Britain
Organized the Sons of Liberty to pressure merchants to honor the boycott
Colonial women made homespun woolen garments
Stamp Act was repealed in 1766

5. Trouble in Boston
Townshend Acts of 1767 – imposed an import duty on glass, paper, and tea (indirect tax paid at American ports)
British troops sent to Boston in 1768
Boston Massacre of 1770 – first time disputes over taxes led to bloodshed
Britain repealed the Townshend Acts, except for the tea tax

6. Response to the Townshend Duties
Sons of Liberty organized a another boycott of British goods
Issued a circular letter from the Massachusetts House of Reps to protest the Townshend Acts
This “seditious letter” was considered an act of treason & the Massachusetts colonial assembly was dissolved
This led to a huge issue of representative government 10

7. Response to the Townshend Duties
Effect:
The crisis over colonial representation was now evident
Colonies began communicating with each other effectively via committees of correspondence
Colonies became united in their “moral” opposition to these English abuses

8. Trouble in Boston
Tea Act of 1773 – tea could be sold in America only by the East India Company
Actually lowered the price of tea, but colonists still argued “taxation without representation”
Tea shipments sent to four cities – New York, Philadelphia, Charleston, Boston
December 16, 1773 – The Boston Tea Party

9. Coercive (Intolerable) Acts
Parliament retaliated against this act of insubordination with the Coercive Acts in 1774:
Closed the port of Boston until the destroyed tea was paid for
Massachusetts town meetings were limited to once per year
New England, Middle, & Southern colonists rallied to support Boston 14

10. The Quebec Act (1774)
The Quebec Act created a gov’t for newly ceded Canada…but it lacked a colonial assembly
Colonists interpreted this as final proof of a Parliamentary plot to “enslave” America 15

12. Colonial Unity First Continental Congress – 1774
Delegates from 12 colonies met in Philadelphia
Delegates included Patrick Henry, George Washington, John Adams, and Sam Adams
Resolved to send a Declaration of Rights to the King
Placed a boycott on British goods
Planned to call for a Second Continental Congress in May, 1775
Lord North declared the Congress an illegal assembly

13. Loyalists and Patriots
Loyalists included British-appointed government officials, Anglican clergy, merchants whose trade depended on good relationships with Britain, and some slaves who believed Britain would pursue anti-slavery policies
Patriots included the colonial elite, urban artisans, Congregationalists, Presbyterians, and merchants who dealt in American commodities