Chapter 7 The Road To Revolution 1763 1775

Chapter 7: The Road To Revolution 1763 -1775 -7 Years War = Brits dominant in America -Victory was costly -After 1763 attempt to compel colonists to take on costs of empire -Change reinforces emerging sense of American political identity -Most still reluctant revolutionaries – seek only rights of Englishmen, not separation

MERCANTILISM FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR ENLIGHTENMENT IDEAS CAUSES OF AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE MOVEMENT POPULATION EXPLOSION AND EXPERIENCES OF COLONIAL SELF-RULE RESTRICTIVE LAWS PASSED BY BRITISH GREAT AWAKENING 2

What were two ideas about government that were taking root in the minds of the colonists? • Republicanism: a just society where citizens subordinate private interests to common good; stability depends on consent and involvement • Vigilance: guard against corruption, conspiracies to strip liberties; fight for what you have

What were the basic ideas behind mercantilism? • Helps to justify Brit control over colonies • Wealth = power- must export more than import • w/ colonies, have raw material base and guaranteed market for exports • Colonists seen as tenants – supply materials to England, buy English imported goods • See Adam Smith’s comments, p. 123

Mercantilism Defined as the economic system practiced mainly during the 17 th and 18 th centuries by European nations. Based on the belief that there was a limited amount of wealth in the world and the way to get the most gold and silver was to heavily regulate manufacturing, trade, and production within a country and its colonies. Great Britain, for example, would purchase raw materials from the North American colonies at a low price determined by the British government. Then the colonies were required to purchase the finished goods manufactured in Britain at high prices also set by the British government. The North American colonies were only allowed to trade within the British empire. This system led to bitterness on the part of the colonists who had very little input in their economic policies. 5

How mercantilism worked Mother country Raw materials Colonies Finished products 6

How did the British attempt to regulate the mercantilist system? • Navigation Law of 1650 • To eliminate competition, all commerce to and from colonies transported in Brit ships • European goods to America first stop in England, collect tariff, middlemen get their cut • American merchants ship goods only to England, then reexported from there Molassas Act of 1733

What were the merits and menace of mercantilism? Until 1763, laws only loosely enforced Americans have monopoly in B markets Protection from world’s best navy w/out having to pay for it Bad – stifles economic initiative; dependence on one supplier; shortages • See cartoon p. 124 • •

The Brits came out of the 7 Years War w/ a huge empire and huge debt, much from defending colonies. Name 4 ways they tried to recoup that debt. • 1763 – strict enforcement of Navigation Laws • 1764 – Sugar Act – 1 st law ever for raising $ for crown in colonies • 1765 – Quartering Act – requires some colonies (not individual colonists) to provide food/quarter for Brit troops • 1765 – Stamp Act – worst – stamped paper or stamps on basically all paper products from legal documents to playing cards • Grenville sees as fair – Americans should pay for own defense, plus Brits had heavier stamp tax for some time

Sugar Act (1764) • Passed by Parliament upon the urging of Prime Minister George Grenville. • Increased tax duties colonists had to pay on goods such as coffee, sugar, textiles, indigo, and wine. • Grenville hoped to increase his popularity with the British people by decreasing their tax burden, while increasing the responsibility of the colonists to pay the cost of maintaining British troops in the colonies. • Colonists opposed the idea of being taxed without representation in Parliament, which was one of the fundamental causes of the American Revolution. Prime Minister George Grenville 10

The Stamp Act, passed by British Parliament March 22, 1765. The purpose of the law was to pay for the high cost of managing and protecting the colonies, as well as the war debt from the French and Indian War. AN ACT for granting and applying certain stamp duties, and other duties, in the British colonies and plantations in America, towards further defraying the expences of defending, protecting, and securing the same; and for amending such parts of the several acts of parliament relating to the trade and revenues of the said colonies and plantations, as direct the manner of determining and recovering the penalties and forfeitures therein mentioned. 11

The law required that a tax be placed on nearly all “everyday” transactions. Included in the list were: • Newspapers • Diplomas • Playing cards • Printed sermons • Deeds for transacted property The stamp • Nearly all printed materials Colonists read with dismay about the new Stamp Tax imposed by the British Parliament 12

Why, besides the obvious, were the colonists upset about these actions? • Taxes striking at local liberties (time) • Jeopardize rights of Englishmen • Sugar/Stamp Acts – tried in admiralty courts, no jury, burden of proof on defendant – assume guilty • Jury trial/innocence privileges all Englishmen had PLUS…WHY ARE THESE PEOPLE HERE ANYWAY!!? ?

Writs of Assistance were court orders, originally passed in Massachusetts in 1751, which allowed customs officials to search locations for “contraband”, items that were being smuggled into the colonies without the proper duties (taxes) being paid. The searches were “non-specific”… the goods being searched for did not have to be announced, nor did the locations searched. Essentially they were blank search warrants with no limits. Not only were colonial businesses allowed to be searched, but customs officials were also empowered to search private homes as well. Many colonists saw this as a direct violation of their rights. 14

Opposition to the Writs James Otis, a former customs official and attorney, was an important leader in colonial opposition to British mercantile policies and the Townshend duties. He represented Boston merchants in the court case that attempted to block renewal of the writs. Otis argued that the writs violated the colonists’ natural rights, noting: “A man’s house is his castle; and whilst he is quiet, he is as well guarded as a prince in his castle. This writ, if it should be declared legal, would totally annihilate this privilege. ” After a harsh attack against a Boston Customs official published in a newspaper, the official found Otis, and beat him severely with a cane. For the remainder of his life, Otis was subject to bouts of temporary insanity, and was killed by lightning in 1783. James Otis 15

How do the colonists try to distinguish between taxation and legislation? • Concede right of Parliament to legislate matters affecting entire empire • Denies right of Parliament to impose taxes on them • No Americans in Parliament = no representation • Only own colonial legislatures could tax

What was the British (PM Grenville) response? • Power of Parliament is supreme and undivided • “virtual representation” – every member of P represents all Brit subjects, even Americans • Power of gov’t can’t be divided b/t legislative authority in London and taxing authority colonies • Will force Americans to deny authority of P altogether

Did Americans really want direct representation anyway? • Probably not • If did, would be few in number • Would have no power in P and P could pass taxes anyway and claim that Americans had representation

What were the reactions in the colonies to the Stamp Act? • Outcries take various forms • Stamp Act Congress 1765 • 27 delegates, 9 colonies • Statement of rights and grievances, ask King/P to repeal • Largely ignored in both England/America

The Stamp Act Congress v Delegates from nine colonies met in New York City in October, 1765 with the goal of convincing Britain to repeal the Stamp Act. v The Congress issued a Declaration of Rights and Grievances which included: 1. Only the colonial assemblies had a right to tax the colonies. 2. Trial by jury was a right, and the use of Admiralty Courts was abusive. 3. Colonists possessed all the rights of Englishmen. 4. Without voting rights, Parliament could NOT represent the colonists. 20

Reactions - continued • Nonimportation Agreements • • • More effective than SA Congress United in common action (unity? ) Opportunities to participate in colonial protests Petitions to vow to consumer boycotts Public defiance spreads angry resistance

Reactions - continued • Sons/Daughters of Liberty • • • Enforce nonimportation agreements Take law into own hands Tar/feather violators Ransack officials homes Hang effigies of stamp agents on liberty poles Machinery for collection broken down • Stamp agents all forced to resign, no one to sell stamps

The Sons of Liberty, 1765 The Sons of Liberty brought together several colonial groups that opposed the Stamp Act. Many members of the group were less educated shopkeepers, artisans, and laborers. Sometimes their protests turned violent; harassing tax collectors, or in one instance, burning the home of Lieutenant Governor Thomas Hutchinson. Later, as the colonies edged closer to war, the Sons of Liberty masterminded the Boston Tea Party. 23 This banner was the Sons of Liberty’s official flag.

Founding members of the Sons of Liberty Samuel Adams Born in 1722, he attended Boston Latin School as well as Harvard. After graduation, he became partners with his father in a brewing business. Adams’ father lost most of his fortune in a paper currency deal when the British government outlawed colonial paper currency, which may have been a factor in Samuel becoming a leader in the Sons of Liberty. Later he signed the Declaration of Independence and fought for the Bill of Rights to be included in the Constitution. Patrick Henry Radical advocate of independence from Britain. Proposed the Virginia Stamp Act Resolutions, and in his speech introducing them, Henry remarked, “…if this be treason, make the most of it!”. Henry’s most famous quote: “I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!”. Henry later served as governor of Virginia. 24

Tarring and feathering a tax collector Seen as a symbol of unfair British authority, tax collectors were frequently hung in effigy, or as this colonial era drawing depicts, some tax collectors were tarred and feathered. In this process, the head of the victim was shaved, and hot tar poured over it. Afterwards, a bag of feathers was shaken over him. 25

What effect did the nonimportation agreements have in England? • Brits hard hit • America bought ¼ of all Brit goods; ½ of Brit shipping devoted to American trade • Loud cries in P for repeal – done in 1766 • But… do issue Declaratory Act • Reaffirms P’s right to rule over colonies in all cases • Absolute and unqualified sovereignty over colonies

The Next Step… • How was the Townshend Tea Tax supposed to collect money, and what was the real problem the colonists had with the tax?

Townshend Tea Tax, 1767 • • Light import duty on glass, white lead, paper, paint, tea Indirect customs duty payable at American ports Indirect vs. direct taxation The real problem: • Americans lose POWER OF THE PURSE • Also: • After Townshend taxes, Brits suspend NY legislature • Nonimportation agreements arise, but not as severe (got illegal tea cheap)

How did the Boston Massacre unfold? • Brit officials faced w/ breakdown of law and order • Send 2 regiments of many drunken and profane troops to Boston in 1768 • Colonists resent presence and taunt unmercifully • March 5, 1770 – 60 colonists taunting and throwing snowballs at squad of 10 redcoats

Paul Revere’s engraving of the Boston Massacre March 5, 1770 30

Tension in Boston erupted in violence The British military occupation of Boston increased the friction between the colonists and the soldiers and resulted in an event known as the “Boston Massacre”. Apparently, several local youths began hurling snowballs at British sentries. Other Boston residents joined in. The British soldiers moved into formation, and although ordered by their commander not to fire on the crowd, they did so. Five colonists died in the encounter, and six were injured. One of the killed was Crispus Attucks who is considered by some to be the first casualty of the American Revolution. 31

The colonist version The British version The engraving on the left, created by Paul Revere, demonstrates the colonial view of the massacre, with the British appearing to be the aggressors. The painting on the right, done by a British artist, shows the colonists armed and the British soldiers more in a defensive posture. Without photographic evidence both sides could interpret the event to their advantage. 32

The dead colonists Among those killed in the Boston Massacre was Crispus Attucks. Generally believed to be a runaway slave, he is featured prominently in several of the engravings of the Massacre, and is considered in legend to be the first casualty in the American Revolution. However, some modern historians believe that Attucks wasn’t the first killed, but rather was killed by a bullet deflected as it passed through another casualty of the Massacre. Also killed was Samuel Gray, Samuel Maverick, James Caldwell, and Patrick Carr. Crispus Attucks 33

The trial of the British soldiers In October 1770, a trial was held in colonial court accusing several of the British soldiers involved in the shootings with murder. John Adams, defense attorney for the British soldiers. Later was elected the second president of the United States. Six of the soldiers were found innocent of any charges. Two were convicted on manslaughter charges and were punished by having their thumbs branded. Their captain, Preston, was acquitted because the jury couldn’t be sure that he ordered his troops to fire into the crowd. 34

The Townshend Acts failed and were repealed, but they kept a small tax on tea (jerks). What did this prompt Sam Adams to create? The answer is not beer.

Sam Adams and Committees of Correspondence • Spread spirit of resistance by exchanging letters, keep opposition to Brit policy alive • Begin in Massachusetts, spread to others • Significant in stimulating sentiment in favor of united action UNITY • Evolves directly into first American congress

December 16, 1773 37

What events led to and what was the significance of the Boston Tea Party? • 1773: 17 million lb tea surplus • Brits give BEIC monopoly on BNA tea • In other areas (Philly, NYC, Charleston) ships turned back or confiscated • Only Gov Hutchinson in Massachusetts decided to enforce law

Causes of the Boston Tea Party Ø Under pressure, Parliament repealed the Townshend Acts Ø However, as a symbol of British authority, Parliament maintained the tax on tea Ø In 1773, the British Government passed the Tea Act, which gave the British East India Company a monopoly on tea sales by allowing them to sell tea at a lower price than their competitors Ø The theory was that the colonists would accept the tax more readily if they were able to get tea from the East India Company at a lower price Ø However colonial leaders in Boston protested, and cargoes of tea on ships were held in Boston Harbor Ø The captain of one of the ships, unable to unload, decided to go back to England, but the British officials refused to allow the ship to leave 39

continued • Demonstrations along eastern seaboard • Boston – Gov Thomas Hutchinson refuses to give in to will of colonists • Agreed tax unjust, but colonists have no right to disobey • Orders tea ships not to leave Boston harbor until unloaded • Private letter intercepted where he declared that some English liberties must be sacrificed to preserve law and order – confirms conspiracy theories

continued • December 16, 1773 • 100 Bostonians disguised as Indians smash 342 tea chests and dump into Harbor –several hundred watch • Tea symbolic – everyone, regardless of social class, drank it • Reactions vary

What were the British reactions to the tea party? • British • 1774 – P passes series of acts to punish Boston in particular and Massachusetts in general • Collectively known as the Intolerable Acts

The Intolerable Acts In this cartoon from London Magazine, Lord North, author of the Boston Port Act, forces the “tea” (the Intolerable Acts) down the throat of America while “Mother Brittania” weeps in the background. Paul Revere saw the effectiveness of the cartoon and distributed it widely in the colonies. 43

The major laws considered “intolerable” z Boston Port Act: Closed the Port at Boston Harbor until the tea was paid for. z Quartering Act: Forced the citizens of Massachusetts to house and feed British soldiers in their homes. z Massachusetts Government Act: Suspended the Massachusetts Colonial Legislature until the tea was paid for. z Administration of Justice Act: Guaranteed that British officials would not be tried in colonial courts for capital crimes, but extradited to Britain. This meant local courts could not try British officials giving them free reign. 44

The Quebec Act – even worse than the IA’s! • Passed at same time as IA’s, but not punishment • Brits plan to manage 60 k French in Canada • Guaranteed Catholic religion, old customs and institutions (no jury trial, no rep assemblies), boundaries extended to OH river • IA’s directed at Massachusetts, Quebec much farther reaching • Set dangerous precedent for Americans • Large amount of trans-Allegheny land taken from speculators and Protestants • See map p. 133

The Intolerable Acts primarily punished Boston, while these two laws passed around the same time affected a greater area Ë Quebec Act: Restored French common law and moved the southern boundary of Quebec to the Ohio River. Since many colonial land speculators had claims in the frontier, this caused them to be concerned. Ë Currency Act: Prohibited the colonies from issuing paper money. Since many colonies had already issued script, their money was worthless and the result was a severely handicapped colonial economy. 46

What were the colonists responses to the Intolerable Acts? • First Continental Congress, 1774 Philly, 12 of 13, 55 men, 54 days Not legislative, but consultative Declaration of Rights The Association – most significant act of 1 st CC – complete boycott: nonimportation, nonexportation, nonconsumption • NOT calling for independence • P rejects (of course, jerks) • •

Print shows satire of American women from Edenton, North Carolina, pledging to boycott English tea in response to Continental Congress resolution in 1774 to boycott English goods 48

Delegates from 12 colonies (all except Georgia) met to discuss the situation with Britain in the fall of 1774. They met at Carpenters’ Hall in Philadelphia in what became known as the “First Continental Congress” to convince Parliament to repeal the Intolerable Acts. Delegates included John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Samuel Adams, George Washington, Richard Henry Lee, and John Jay. 49 Carpenters Hall

Continental Congress’ Resolutions The Congress did not intend to declare independence from Britain. The delegates believed that they were entitled to the same rights as all Englishmen and that the Intolerable Acts and other laws violated those rights. At the conclusion of the Congress, the delegates signed non-importation agreements boycotting British goods. In addition, they pledged to meet again in 1775 if the Intolerable Acts were not repealed. However, before the delegates could meet again, the Revolutionary War had begun, and the Second Continental Congress found itself occupied with the conduct of a war rather than repeal of the Intolerable Acts. 50 The Non-Importation agreement

So, where does the Revolutionary War begin? • Lexington and Concord

Colonists prepared for combat Ø In several Massachusetts towns people had begun to stockpile weapons and train openly for combat Ø General Thomas Gage, British military governor of Massachusetts, learned of colonial military preparations, and ordered British troops to Lexington and Concord to seize weapons General Thomas Gage 52

“One if by land, two if by sea” Many of the leaders of the rebel movement, known as the “Patriots”, fled Boston to avoid arrest by the British. Those who stayed devised a plan to alert those who remained of a British advance: one lantern in the steeple of the Old North Church, two if from the Charles River. On April 18, 1775 silversmith Paul Revere saw the lanterns and along with William Dawes and Dr. Samuel Prescott, rode through the countryside warning colonists and militia that the British were on the march to Lexington and Concord. 53

The riders William Dawes Only Prescott was able to make it to Concord Paul Revere was captured, but lied to the British about colonial troop strength, and was eventually released to return to Boston on a poorly rested horse. Dawes took the longer “by land” route across the isthmus of Massachusetts and was able to elude capture by British forces and warned militia at several locations along the route the British traveled to Lexington and Concord. Dawes was thrown from his horse and 54 was captured.

Lexington and Concord April 19, 1775 “The shot heard round the world” 55

How the war began When the British troops arrived in Lexington, the colonial militia under Captain John Parker, was lined up on the village green. Parker had ordered his men to “stand their ground…”, but added “if they mean to have a war, let it begin here”. As the two sides watched each other, a shot apparently was fired in the distance. The British responded by firing at the militia, who returned fire. At the end of the skirmish, along with the subsequent one at Concord, 50 militia and 73 British soldiers were killed. The British marched back to Boston under heavy fire from the colonists, who practiced guerrilla warfare, meaning they were hiding behind rocks and trees. The British army had always fought in a traditional style, in the open with both sides facing each other, which made it difficult for them to effectively fight back. Eventually the British troops made it back to Charlestown after suffering many more casualties on the march. The British army and colonials were now at war. 56

What were the strengths and weaknesses of the British? • Strengths • • • 3: 1 Wealth and naval power Professional army of 50 k George III has $ to hire foreign soldiers – 30 k Germans (Hessians) 50 k American loyalists African American troops – promised freedom if fought for Brits (at war’s end evacuate 14 k)

British Weaknesses • Has to dedicate manpower, $ to other concerns (Ireland, France) • Gov’t is rather inept • Brit reluctance to kill American cousins • Whigs in P believe that if GIII wins in America, rule in Britain might become tyrannical • See Edmund Burke comment p. 135 • British army in America – weak comparatively • Distance from home, lack of communication • Large territory w/ no central urban nerve center

What were the American strengths/weaknesses? • • Outstanding leadership – GW, BF Foreign aid – eventually Many European officers join Fighting defensively Self sustaining agriculture Belief in just cause Participation by several thousand slaves

American Weaknesses Poorly organized, still lack of unity Colonial jealousy, contempt for Congress’s powers Lack of $, inflation of own “continental” Much desertion Shortage of military supplies, manufactured goods Poorly trained/equipped militia Profiteering – American merchants selling supplies to Brit troops at greatly inflated prices while American troops went without • Only minority attach selves to cause of independence w/ selfless devotion • •