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Chapter 7. The Road to Revolution, 1763–1775. I. The Deep Roots of Revolution. America started as was a revolutionary force The New World nurtured new ideas Republicanism , a just society where citizens willingly subordinated their private, selfish interests to the common good.
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Chapter 7 The Road to Revolution, 1763–1775
I. The Deep Roots of Revolution • America started as was a revolutionary force • The New World nurtured new ideas • Republicanism, a just society where citizens willingly subordinated their private, selfish interests to the common good. (Stability and government depended on the virtue and civic involvement of the citizenry) • Republicanism opposed aristocracy & monarchy • Radical Whigsagainst arbitrary monarch power • Americans used to running their own affairs “Distance weakens authority great distance weakens authority greatly”
II. Mercantilism and Colonial Grievances • Mercantilism • National wealth equals national • Exporting goods created wealth • Colonies created wealth • Parliament passed mercantilist laws • Navigation Act of 1650 (aimed at Dutch) • All ships must stop in Britain and be taxed • Some products (EG: tobacco) exclusive to Britain • Byproduct was a hard currency shortage in the colonies
III. The Merits and Menace of Mercantilism • British mercantile system theatrically oppressive • However, they were loosely enforced • American benefits higher pay & military protection • Colonists burdened with annoying liabilities • Stifled economic initiative • Colonists dependent on British agents and creditors • Colonists found it to be debasing
IV. The Stamp Tax Uproar • Seven Years’ War put Britain in severe debt • Sugar Act (1764)—first law taxing colonies • Quartering Act (1765)-colonies support troops • Stamp tax (1765) - Tax (a stamp) on bills of sale • Americans were angry about tax • Pinched their pocketbooks • Jeopardize their British liberties • Distinction between “legislation” and “taxation.” • Parliament had right to pass to legislation • But no right to tax, without representation • Some colonists question colonist-British relationship
V. Forced Repeal of the Stamp Act • Stamp Act Congress (1765) demanded repeal • They were ignored in England • Another step towards intercolonial unity. • Nonimportation agreements: • Sons of Liberty and Daughters of Liberty • Parliament repealed the Stamp Act (1766) • And passed the Declaratory Act • GB had absolute & unqualified sovereignty over colonies
VI. The Townshend Tea Tax & the Boston “Massacre” • Townshend Acts-glass, lead, paper, paint, tea taxed • Colonists were still in rebellion • Two British regiments land in Boston in 1768 • March 5, 1770 - Boston Massacre. • Crispus Attucks, a “mulatto” & mob leader killed • Soldiers defended by John Adams • 2 found guilty, branded on the hand, released • Townsend Acts repealed
VII. The Seditious Committees of Correspondence • Committees of correspondence • First organized in Boston in 1772, (~ 80 towns) • Chief function to spread the spirit of resistance • More Intercolonial cooperation • Would evolved into the first American congresses.
VIII. Tea Brewing in Boston • East India Company given a tea monopoly • People forced the tea-bearing ships to return to GB • Dec 1773 cargo destroyed - the Boston Tea Party • Sympathetic colonists applauded
IX. Parliament Passes the “Intolerable Acts” • Intolerable Acts - passed to ‘punish’ colonists • Massachusetts chartered rights were swept away • Restrictions placed on the precious town meetings • No penalty if killing colonists in the line of duty • New Quartering Act – lodging in private homes • Quebec Act (1774) covered subjects in Canada • Allowed unrepresentative assemblies • Allowed denials of jury trials • It seemed to set a dangerous precedent in America
X. Bloodshed • First Continental Congress in Philadelphia-1774 • Creation of The Association • Complete boycott of British goods • Parliament rejected the Congress’s petitions • Violators of The Association were tarred & feathered • April 1775, Lexington and Concord • British march on ‘rebels’ • Colonial “Minute Men” refused to disperse • Lopsided British victory -“Lexington Massacre”
XI. Imperial Strength and Weakness • Aroused Americans brashly rebelled • Odds against the colonist • Population -Britain 3:1 advantage • GB more military power and wealth • Yet Britain was weaker than it seemed • Oppressed Ireland occupied troops • France was waiting to get even with Britain • The London government weak, inept, & divided • Britain had some disadvantages • Britain had to operate 3,000 miles from home • Second rate leaders and troops
XII. American Pluses and Minuses • The American advantages • outstanding leadership (Washington, Franklin) • Aid came from France (and other European nations) • Fighting defensively • Colonies were mainly self-sustaining agriculturally • Americans enjoyed ’just cause’ advantage • Colonist faced economic difficulties • Congress unwilling to raise taxes • Colonial & states printed depreciated paper money • Colonies were disorganized politically, economically • States regarded themselves as sovereign • Distrusted & resented colonial Congressional power
XIII. A Thin Line of Heroes • Scanty colonial military supplies (Valley Forge) • Militiamen were numerous and unreliable • Women played a huge part in the Revolution • Blacks were involved in the fight for freedom • GB promised freedom for those whom fought for GB • ‘Regulars’ were developed • Revolutionary morale hurt by colonial profiteers • Sold to highest buyer • A select minority supported independence • Seldom have so few done so much for so many.
