Cultural and Ideological Ties By Amanda Acua Daniel

Cultural and Ideological Ties By: Amanda Acuña, Daniel Rodriguez, Giselle Rodriguez, Michael Canut, Michael Rojas, Roberto Rodriguez.

General Edward Braddock(1754) During the time that General Edward Braddock came to be known, The Seven Years’ War (French and Indian War) was happening. In this war, France and Britain were fighting for the Indian Commerce. King George III assigned General Edward Braddock to lead 2, 000 troops. He led more than 2, 000 British regulars and colonial troops but they were routed by a smaller force of French and American Indians near Fort Duquesne. Since General Edward Braddock was not experienced in American terrain warfare and the techniques employed by the French's native allies, he asked Lieutenant Washington to serve with him.

George Washington, Letter to Robert Orme, Aide-de. Campe to General Edward Braddock (1755) It is true, sir i have… expressed an inclination to serve in this campaign as a volunteer; and this inclination is not a little increased, since it is likely to be conducted by a gentleman of the general’s experience. But besides this and the laudale desire I may have to serve with my best abilities my king and country, I must be ingenuous enough to confess, that I am not a little biased by selfish considerations. To explain, sir, I wish earnestly to attain some knowledge in the military profession, and [I believe] a more favorable opportunity cannot offer than to serve under a gentleman of General Braddock’s abilities and experience. George Washington was a major in the virginian army wanting to learn more. In this letter Washington is writing about how he wants to take this opportunity to learn from Braddock because he was the best and has a lot of experience. George wanted to serve his best for the king. This also shows how people are volunteering to help fight to serve for the king and their land, during the war the people were loyal to the king. George Washington also wanted to be a politician so he thought that volunteering to learn from Braddock and fighting for his king and becoming the best that this would help him get the politician spot that he wanted.

Sermon: Rev. Thomas Barnard, Massachusetts (1763) Auspicious Day! When Britain, the special Care of Heaven, blessed with patriot-Sovereign, served by wise and faithful Counsellors, brave Commanders, successful Fleets and Armies, seconded in her Efforts by all her Children, and by none zealously than by those of New England. . . American, mayest well rejoice, the Children of New England may be glad and triumph, in Reflection on Events past, and Prospect for the future… Now commences the Era of our quiet Enjoyment of those Libertes which our Fathers purchased with the Toil of their whole Lives, their Treasure, their Blood. Safe from the Enemy of the Wilderness, safe from the gripping Hand of arbitrary Sway and cruel Supers on, here shall be the late founded Seat of Peace and Freedom. Here shall our indulgent Mother, who has most generously rescued and protected us, be served and honored by growing Numbers, with all Duty, Love and Gratitude, till Time shall be no more. • After the French and Indian War was won, a man by the name of Thomas Barnard (a member of The Clergy) wrote the victory speech on the left. • The Colonist believed that after the war, They had the right continue moving westward without any challenges now that enemies of England were defeated. • In New England especially the Colonist thought that they played a major part in this war and thought themselves to be just as entitled to everything just as much as the British soldiers of the mainland; little did they know the acts to come. . .

The Stamp Act (1765 -1766) ● ● ● After the French and Indian war the colonist were thinking that they had done an amazing job and that they deserved some kind of compensation in exchange. Instead what the colonists got was the stamp act, Britain had basically done all the work in the war and wars are expensive so their solution was the stamp act, to the colonists surprise. So what was it? Basically it was taxes, anything a colonist would buy could have a stamp put on it and colonist would have to pay a little more, that of which would go towards Britain. The stamp act led to the creation of extremist groups and both violent and non-violent protests, an example of which would be the attacks on the “tax collectors” and boycotts, the most famous being The Boston Tea Party. Now this all seems insane to us but back then the colonists had no taste of a world with taxes so this really shook them. Overall the attacks and protests and boycotts led to the repeal of the stamp act.

Colonists point of view change One way the colonists point of view changed was due to farmers believing that they would be able to expand westward and have more farming lands to then be told that they would not be able to move west past the line of The Proclamation of 1763. This angered the colonist and created tensions due to them feeling entitled to more land after winning the French and Indian war. Another thing that angered the colonists was after the war they were getting taxed for everything that was paper-based (The Stamp Act). Another point of view change was that the colonists turned aggressive against tax collectors of the British government by tarring and feathering them when coming to collect taxes. A major protest group that was led by Samuel Adams was called the Sons and Daughters of liberty. They were mainly responsible for the radical forms of protest done by the colonists.

Benjamin Franklin Testimony in the British House of Commons (1766) In January 1766, Benjamin Franklin represented this letter to the House of Commons. The purpose was to repeal the Stamp Act of 1765. His testimony made a big impact and was published in London and the Colonies. Franklin argued that the colonies were already paying heavy taxes. Also, that they were always obedient to the Parliament and they never asked for anything in return. Franklin also argued that if the Stamp Act was not repealed it would cost them a lot of money because they’re relationship depended on the respect they had for the parliament. That this relationship between the country and its people would weaken.

Discussion Questions 1. How did the taxing of the colonies create tensions and social conflicts? 2. In what way did the colonist protest the taxation of paper based products and what was a major protest group? 3. What was the major reason that George Washington wanted to learn from Braddock?