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American Independence

This exploration delves into the underlying causes of the American Revolution, revealing how cultural, constitutional, and economic factors fueled the cry for independence. Influential thinkers from the Enlightenment, along with events like the First Great Awakening and the French and Indian War, shaped the colonial mindset. The struggle against British taxation, the emergence of revolutionary groups like the Sons of Liberty, and Patrick Henry's iconic rallying cry culminated in a fight for natural rights. Ultimately, it was a complex revolution involving diverse groups, challenging the very notion of liberty and equality.

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American Independence

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  1. “The Spirit of Liberty spread where it was not intended to go.”- Thomas Hutchinson American Independence

  2. You say you want a Revolution(Why?) Underlying Causes: Cultural Constitutional Economic

  3. A. Cultural Enlightenment First Great Awakening French and Indian War

  4. B. Constitutional Split • British Parliament v. colonial legislaturesBrit: “conveniences” Am: “compacts” Illusion of independence

  5. C. Economic • Mercantilism v. laissez faire Navigation Acts (1664)Adam Smith, The Wealth of Nations 2. Cross class boundaries“liberty”

  6. Liberty or death (or something in between) Precipitating causes

  7. A. New taxes • External – Sugar Act, 1764 • Internal – Stamp Act, 1765 Virtual v. Direct Representation

  8. B. Insurgency 1. Sons of Liberty Sam Adams – brewer, patriot

  9. 2. Dangerous precedents 1766 – British blink Stamp Act repealed Declaratory Act

  10. B. Bad to worse • 1767 – Townshend Actsimported goods • Boycotts, “homespun”Boston Massacre, 1770 • 1770, Townshend Acts repealed…

  11. 4…except on tea 1773 – Tea Act

  12. C. Worst fears realized • Cato’s Letters (1720s) Trenchard & Gordon- all govt. corrupt - appealed to colonists (Enlightenment, Awakening)

  13. 2. 1774 – Coercive (“Intolerable”) Actsshut down Boston suspend Mass. Local govt. Quartered British troops 3. 1774 – Quebec ActCatholicism legalized Canada gets colonial claims

  14. Give me liberty or give me death!- Patrick Henry, March 1775

  15. III. Whose Revolution Was It?

  16. 50% of colonists were women 20% slaves 5% loyalists (tories) 5-10% Native Americans Extensive and Intensive Revolution

  17. A. Extensive Revolution Continental Congress 1st, 1774 Articles of Confederation 1777-1788 United States Constitution 1788-present

  18. B. Intensive Revolution “The Spirit of Liberty spread where it was not intended to go.” • Idea bigger than the practiceRights of Englishmen Natural Rights

  19. 2. 1776 – Declaration of Independencegovt. based on Natural Law people have Natural Rights right to revolution 3. 1776 – Thomas Paine Common Sense

  20. C. Manipulating resentment • Economic / political inequalityplanters, River Gods, Old Lights 2. “Liberty” first, “equality” second

  21. D. Decline in deference • “New men” • State constitutionsPennsylvania St. Const., 1776 3. Attack on propertystay laws

  22. 4. Republican Motherhood - Abigail Adams Remember all Men would be tyrants if they could. If particular care and attention is not paid to the Ladies we are determined to foment a Rebellion and will not hold ourselves bound by any Laws in which we have no voice or Representation.

  23. Conclusion American revolution not as radical as some • Liberty v. equality Articles of Confederation - National govt. purposefully weak

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