1. Revolutionary Change in the Atlantic World, 1750-1850
Chapter 23

2. I. Prelude to Revolution, The Eighteenth-Century Crisis
A. Colonial Wars and Fiscal Crises
Newly independent Netherlands attacked American and Asian colonies of Spain and Portugal in the 1600s
Great Britain (a rising sea power) checked Dutch power, ended Dutch monopoly of African slave trade
Britain and France struggled for dominance and territory.
War of Spanish Succession ( ) and War of Austrian Succession ( )
French and Indian War/Seven Years War ( )
British victory led to control of North America east of Miss. River, France surrendered holdings in India
Traditional taxes couldn’t pay off huge war debts.

4. II. The American Revolution, 1775-1800
A. Frontiers and Taxes
After the French and Indian War, Britain tried to limit settler pressure on Amerindian lands and get colonists to shoulder more of the costs of the empire.
British didn’t treat natives as well as the French did; potential for new violence existed all along frontier (Pontiac’s Rebellion)
Proclamation of 1763: limited colonial expansion to Appalachian mountains, ineffective
Series of tax laws angered colonists (Sugar Act, Stamp Act, Townsend Duties, etc.)
Boycotts of British goods (Sons of Liberty), some violent protests
Boston Massacre (March 5, 1770): British troops opened fire on angry Boston crowd, killed 5
Parliament repealed some taxes but insisted on its right to tax colonists
Colonists disagreed: no taxation without representation!

5. B. The Course of Revolution, 1775-1783
Patriot leaders began creating new governments, militias
Continental Congress (1775)
56 delegates (rich, white guys) met in Philadelphia
Boycott British goods, called for colonial militias, appealed to king asking for understanding
Organized army led by George Washington
Battles at Lexington and Concord between patriots and British troops
Kicked off the Revolutionary War, 1775
Common Sense by Thomas Paine, 1776
Pamphlet written in a simple, direct style urged the colonists to break from Britain
Declaration of Independence, 1776
Delegates from the 1st Continental Congress met again.
A committee prepared reasons for the separation; Thomas Jefferson drafted it.
Influenced by the Enlightenment (science and reason), especially John Locke

6. Increase in British troops did not calm colonists.
Amerindians (Iroquois Confederacy) fought on both sides.
American victory at Saratoga (Oct. 17, 1777): biggest American victory; turning point in the war
Convinced France that America had a chance to win, Spain followed
Gen. Cornwallis surrendered to Gen. Washington in the Battle of Yorktown (1781)
The Treaty of Paris (1783): Peace treaty that formally ended the war
Great Britain recognized American independence.
Borders set
Britain agreed to withdraw troops
Congress recommended that no action be taken against Loyalists, would repay war debts

7. C. The Construction of Republican Institutions, to 1800
News states drafted constitutions, voted on for ratification
Articles of Confederations: first constitution of the U.S.
Americans feared a strong central government, so the national government had limited powers.
One-house legislature, each state gets one vote, 9 votes needed for major laws
No president, no power to tax (only states could)
Constitutional Convention met in Philadelphia in May 1787 to draft new constitution
3 branches of government
Great Compromise: bicameral legislature
House of Representatives based on state’s population, equal representation in the Senate
Slavery continued; three-fifths compromise
Women helped in all areas of the war, denied political rights after