THE ROAD TO REVOLUTION 1763 1775 CHAPTER 7

THE ROAD TO REVOLUTION 1763 -1775 CHAPTER 7 • New World New Ideas • Disputes over economic policies exposed irreconcilable differences over political principles, leading to revolution

BRITAIN’S AMERICAN EMPIRE IN 1763

REPUBLICANISM & THE WHIGS Looked to ancient Greek/Roman republics Citizens willingly give up self-interest for public good Radical Whigs – GB political commentators feared threat to liberty by monarch Warned citizens to be on guard against corruption Authority of gov. depends on virtue of citizen & threats to their liberties Selfless, self-sufficiency, Ideas predisposed courage, civic involvement colonists to be Opposed to hierarchical suspicious against any & authoritarian threat to their rights institutions (aristocracy & monarchy)

MERCANTILISM Wealth (gold & silver) = power Export more than import (colonists as tenants) Colonies: raw materials & markets for goods Colonies should not be self-sufficient or self-governed Benefits to colonies: tobacco monopoly, bounties to colonial producers, protection of army/navy Disadvantages to colonies: feel used/debasing, dependent on GB agents/creditors

Colonial Assemblies and Parliament Assemblies had great independence: “Salutary neglect” “fit of absentmindedness” Distant from Colonies Differing views: Assemblies thought themselves equal to Parliament in domestic affairs; left foreign affairs to Parliament thought itself superior to colonial assemblies British claimed Americans had a duty to pay taxes for war effort Americans felt they had contributed enough

P. M. George Grenville Ends Salutary Neglect Ended “salutary neglect” & enforces Navigation Acts Trade and Navigation Acts Regulates mercantilist relationship Only GB/colonial ships used to ship goods from colonies Aimed at competition from Dutch shipping Products shipped to Eur. must stop in GB (middlemen take profits) “enumerated” goods be shipped only to GB (despite prices) New customs duties Smuggling Caused currency shortage among colonies (feel their welfare sacrificed to GB merchants) GB can nullify any law passed by colonial assemblies if interfered with mercantilism Quartering Act of 1765: certain colonies must provide food/quarters for British troops in America

Sugar Act & Stamp Act Sugar Act: aka the Revenue Act Raw sugar and molasses taxed 1 st law by crown for taxes in colonies Stamp Act 1765—Tax on printed materials: Newspapers, pamphlets Wills, mortgages, deeds Licenses, diplomas, dice and playing cards Taxed items indicated with a stamp First direct tax on colonies

ECONOMICS POLITICAL ISSUES Protest “No taxation without representation!” based on principle not cost Merchants accused of smuggling presumed guilty & tried without jury in admiralty courts Legislation vs. taxation According to Britain, colonies did not have actual representation but virtual representation

GB FORCED TO REPEAL STAMP ACT • Sam Adams – colonial assemblies to organize • Stamp Act Congress 1765 in NY (27 delegates, 9 colonies) • List of grievances • Intercolonial unity • Non-importation agreements • Colonial protests – petitions, boycotts, publications • Sons & Daughters of Liberty – Patriotic mobs, sometimes

Colonial Boycott and Its Effects Home production Non-importation agreement Very damaging to British commerce 1766 – Stamp Act repealed Declaratory Act: Parliament has unqualified sovereignty over colonies

Townshend Acts Charles Townshend British ministry 1767 – taxes on: Tea Lead Paper Glass Paint Used to pay salaries of officials in colonies (took away colonial power of the purse) Increased smuggling (especially tea in MA)

Boston Massacre March 5, 1770 Breakdown of law GB troops to Boston (harassed by townspeople) 11 casualties Crispus Attucks Paul Revere. Propaganda Soldiers defended by John Adams Is it a massacre?