PreRevolutionary America French and Indian War France began

Pre-Revolutionary America

French and Indian War • France began claiming territory in the Ohio River Valley this upset the British • Britain declares war, the French ally themselves with the Native Americans • Lasts 7 years (Also called the Seven Years’ War)

Results of the French and Indian War • France – lost almost all land in North America – no longer important in American development • Britain – acquired more land – became a world-wide “super power” – grew resentful of colonial “blundering” (mistakes in battles) and the cost of defending the colonies

Results of the French and Indian War • Native Americans – continued to lose control over land in North America • Colonists – acquired land to expand – gained valuable military experience – found their first “American” hero…G. Washington – learned how to cooperate **THIS WAS REALLY THE CAUSE OF THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. . . **

Britain needs money • To pay off debts, Britain takes a series of steps to use colonies’ resources and to take control before they are gone forever…….

Indian Policy & Pontiac’s War • Proclamation of 1763 – government in Canada, Florida, & other conquered colonies – Set up ‘Proclamation Line’ – no settlement west of Appalachian Mtns. Unless the land was purchased from Indians – (instead encouraged to go to GA, Nova Scotia, FL)

Pontiac’s War • Collection of Indian tribes attacking British forts – How did the British fix this problem? They handed out blankets infested with small pox

Sugar Act • Duties (taxes) on Madeira wine, coffee, and molasses (largest tax) – Colonists got French molasses certified as British

Currency & Quartering Act • Currency = no more paper money could be printed in colonies – (Problem with specie - where would it end up? ) • Quartering = colonists had to host British soldiers when marching between areas in homes and public areas

The Stamp Act • Tax on printed goods (already used in Britain) – (land titles, contracts, court docs. , playing cards, books & newspapers) • Had to be paid in cold hard cash • Money would stay in colonies, but distributed by colonial governors (not elected assembly)

Stamp Act (cont) • Widespread anger b/c affected everyone • Local assemblies passed resolutions condemning Act • Anger – taxation without representation

Political Cartoon mocking Stamp Act 1775

Repealing the Stamp Act • Violence: – Liberty Tree – hung effigy of deserving – Burning of Lt. Gov’s house – Sons of Liberty • Eventually Nullified in all 13 colonies

Sons of Liberty

Townshend Acts • New duties in colonial ports on imports the colonists could only buy from Britain – Tea, paper, glass, red & white lead (for painters) – BUT also lowered tax on tea in Britain – what was his real motive?

Britain is angry • Occupies port of • Boston and surrounding area Leads to growing anger between colonial assemblies and Crown

The Bloody (Boston) Massacre • Background : – February 22 1770 – customs official fired his gun at rioters & killed 11 year old – Still angry, a group confronts soldiers guarding customs house on King Street (threw snowballs and rocks @ soldiers) • Amid confusion, rioter struck by gun and then shots were fired • 4 killed right away, one died later

Boston Massacre (cont) • Propaganda ensured it stayed in public’s mind – (Paul Revere’s engraving was distributed in newspapers throughout colonies) • Led to = evacuation of troops, repeal of most of Townshend duties. • (March 5 = day of public mourning for next 13 yrs. )

The Tea Act • Repealed duties on imported in Britain but not in colonies • Gave Britain monopoly of tea imports in colonies

Tea Act Protests • Spread to rural areas • Committee of Correspondence – Purpose 1. warn neighboring colonies about incidents w/ Britain 2. broaden resistance movement • (should have been good = more revenue for Br. & East India Company, and cheap tea to colonists) – Backfired!

Tea Paaaarrrrttyy!!!!! • December 16 th , 1773 Patriot leaders and working men boarded ships dressed as Mohawk Indians threw 342 chests of tea into the sea • Became powerful symbol of AMERICAN resistance

Party Like its 1773!!

Coercive Acts or Intolerable Acts 1. Port Bill = closed Port of Boston until tea was paid for 2. Government Act = revoked charter allowing MA to elect council & one town meeting a year 3. New Quartering Act = army officers stay at colonists homes at their expense 4. Administration of Justice = British officials will go to trial in another colony or England

Some British sympathized with the American Colonists

Here is Paul Revere’s Version

First Continental Congress 1774 • Delegates from 12 colonies met at Carpenter’s Hall • Adopted nonexportation resolution • No legislation w/o consent • Petitioned King

Lexington & Concord • The British Are Coming • Paul Revere & William Dawes make their midnight ride to warn the Minutemen of approaching British soldiers.

The Shot Heard Around the World

The Second Continental the Congress 1775 • Formed Continental Army – Made George Washington Commanding General • Remained in session for over 10 yrs • Issued the “Deceleration of the Causes and Necessities of Taking Up Arms”

INDEPENDENCE • Publication of Common Sense by Thomas Paine

INDEPENDENCE

Independence Hall

New National Symbols