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The New Imperialism

The New Imperialism . Sasso US I. The war is over, but…. Treaty of Paris puts England truly at peace for the first time in 50 years New sensation- Seems like there is nobody left for England to fight With no battles on the horizon, England can focus on its colonies (especially America)

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The New Imperialism

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  1. The New Imperialism Sasso US I

  2. The war is over, but… • Treaty of Paris puts England truly at peace for the first time in 50 years • New sensation- Seems like there is nobody left for England to fight • With no battles on the horizon, England can focus on its colonies (especially America) • Increased involvement will not be an easy task • New lands, huge debt, etc… • Additionally, colonies have become very resistant to England’s authority (both Parliament and military)

  3. $$$$$$$ • Paying for the war effort will NOT be easy • Taxation will be the method, but can London do it effectively? • In the closing years of the war, England ushers in a new king- King George III • Determined to reassert control over colonies (with reasonably good intentions) • Some problems: Unstable Parliament, health, new PM (George Grenville) • One way or another, England will attempt to EFFECTIVELY regulate American colonies

  4. Proclamation of 1763 • England prohibits colonial settlement west of Appalachian Mts. • England would like to control the settlement of new lands • Slow settlement would limit conflict with Natives • Hope to preserve fur trade for British trappers • This is widely ignored by the colonists • There is really no way for the British to defend the entire length of the App. Mts.

  5. However… • England is much more of a strong-arm presence in the colonies • Many soldiers stayed behind; large presence of the troops in cities, navy patrolling the waters • England is trying to forcefully crack down on smuggling • Also looking to restrict colonial manufacturing (which would force colonists to buy British-made goods)

  6. Sugar Act 1764 • Indirect, external tax • The Sugar Act actually cuts the tariff from the Molasses Act in ½ • BUT…it also firmly establishes the use of vice-admiralty courts for accused smugglers • Supposed to be a big deterrent for American smugglers • These are British military courts- no jury of peers AND the judge earns a % of the fines he imposes • This pretty much means American smugglers are guilty and will pay the maximum possible fines

  7. Currency Act 1764 • Colonies frequently have a currency shortage • No gold/silver mines- makes hard currency very scarce • Currency flow regulated by England • Colonies oftentimes had to print their own currency • LOTS of issues with that • Currency Act prohibits production of colonial currency • Prefer all trade to be carried out in hard currency • How can the colonies be expected to pay their debts?

  8. Mutiny/Quartering Act 1764, 1765, etc. • Like any nation, England had some difficulty with its army • Rules/regulations had to be put in place for crimes • Several incarnations of the Mutiny Act • The Acts of 1764-1765 were significant as they added the Quartering Acts • Colonists have to provide barracks/supplies to British soldiers • Indirect form of taxation • England justifies it as a form of protection from French/Natives

  9. Stamp Act 1765 • The mother of them all… • Economically, the American colonies struggle during the 1760s • Colonies bicker and fight with one another (borders, currency, etc.) • Colonies felt some degree of unity during the French & Indian War, though it was somewhat limited • The passing of the Stamp Act is the galvanizing force that brings the colonies together

  10. Stamp Act 1765 • The Stamp Act is a direct, internal tax on goods and services • 1st time England enacted taxation of this type on the American colonies • Stamp had to being affixed to all mailed items • Purpose of the Act was to help offset the cost of stationing British troops near the Appalachians

  11. Protests!!! • Colonists will begin to unite in opposition to the Stamp Act • Sam Adams (MA) and the Sons of Liberty- violent resistance group • Their objective is to prevent the collection of stamp tax • Committees of Correspondence are established to spread information from colony to colony • Some protests will be more “gentlemanly” • Patrick Henry (VA)- “No taxation without representation” • Colonies should be taxed by their own representatives

  12. Stamp Act Congress • Colonial assemblies start to get on the same page • Delegates from 9 colonies meet up in NYC- 10/1765 • Develop a Declaration of Rights and Grievances outlining complaints against Parliament • Boycotting British goods becomes a common practice • It’s encouraged by the Congress and enforced by the Sons of Liberty

  13. Stamp Act Repealed • The collective effort by the colonists will work • Stamp Act went into effect 11/1765 • Under pressure from British merchants, Parliament repeals it 3/1766 • BUT…on the very same day Parliament passes the Declaratory Act • This “reasserts” Parliamentary authority over the colonies • That’s all well and good, but the precedent has been set- American colonies can get England to back down

  14. Townshend Acts 1767 • England will start going through PM’s quickly • Charles Townshend introduces the Townshend Acts • Indirect, external tax on lead, paper, paint, glass, and tea • Colonists will employ the same protests from the Stamp Act • Townshend Acts will ultimately be repealed…all except the three-penny tax on tea • Additionally, Parliament will authorize 2,000 soldiers to be stationed in Boston (a John Hancock issue…)

  15. March 5, 1770 • Tensions began to rise in Boston • Relationship between soldiers and colonists is generally poor • Competition for work is a big issue; February 1770 is pretty rough • Everything boils over on March 5th • Colonial mob begin protesting soldiers outside of Customs House • Shots ultimately fired by British soldiers • 5 colonists killed (Crispus Attucks) • MAJOR propaganda piece

  16. “The Tea Party” • After the Massacre, things quiet down for a bit • 1773- A run of tea parties • British East India Company (BEIC)- one of England’s oldest corporations • By the mid-1700s, BEIC was struggling financially and on verge of bankruptcy • In order to keep the BEIC viable, England will pass the Tea Act- establishes a monopoly on colonial tea trade for the BEIC • Big deal for the BEIC, but this act will severely undercut colonial merchants

  17. “The Tea Party” • Local merchants + Sons of Liberty will be quick to respond • Dress themselves as Native Americans- get onboard ships, quickly and quietly try to dump as much tea as they can • Similar parties will take place in NYC, Philly, Charleston (SC) • Damage to merchandise will cripple and bankrupt BEIC • This is the final straw for England

  18. The Intolerable Acts • The Intolerable Acts are designed to make an example out of Massachusetts • 1) Boston Harbor is closed down for commerce • 2) Martial law is instituted in the city of Boston • 3) Strict reinstitution of the Quartering Act • Boston, and by extension of Massachusetts, will be financially crippled

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