War for Independence LEQ Prompt The Revolutionary War

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War for Independence LEQ � Prompt: The Revolutionary War (1775’ 81/3) was an organized

War for Independence LEQ � Prompt: The Revolutionary War (1775’ 81/3) was an organized rebellion of a united people against an oppressive tyrannical government. Support, modify, or refute that statement. � Isolate questions: � Organized? � United effort? � Britain = tyrannical? � FYI: We’ll be debating these issues in class

Context for LEQ � Answering the tyranny portion of the LEQ prompt is likely

Context for LEQ � Answering the tyranny portion of the LEQ prompt is likely going to be your most difficult job. � To aid in this process, we’ll walk through a timeline of events leading to Independence, with a focus on how each group (radicals, colonists in general, and the British) perceived the events and reacted to them. � This will help us to objectively evaluate what’s happening in the colonies, and whether or not Jefferson’s claims in the Declaration were warranted or “groundless, ” as some historians maintain.

Universal [Lockean] Claims in the DOI (1776) � Secession / formation of new governments

Universal [Lockean] Claims in the DOI (1776) � Secession / formation of new governments = warranted ONLY when causes that compel the separation are established, + reconciliation was attempted � Cannot occur for “light and transient [temporary]” reasons � Should be a “long train of abuses. . . [with] a design. . . of. . . absolute Despotism” � Government clearly violated the “social contract”

Specific Claims in the DOI (1776) � “The history of the present King of

Specific Claims in the DOI (1776) � “The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world. ” � “In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. ” � 27 “grievances” directed at the Parliament King � does the rhetoric reflect the reality?

Stamp Act, 1765 � Debate over taxation w/o representation begins � P 2: colonists

Stamp Act, 1765 � Debate over taxation w/o representation begins � P 2: colonists had always taxed themselves (through colonial assemblies) � Key question: Does Parliament have a right to tax the colonies w/o representation?

Britain’s View of Parliamentary Authority � Key question: Does Parliament have a right to

Britain’s View of Parliamentary Authority � Key question: Does Parliament have a right to tax the colonies w/o representation? � Absolutely! Mercantilism colonial subordination � Colonists are beneficiaries � WE fought for 9 years to open up land for YOU � Now we’re in debt � You’ve got to start paying for some of the benefits � They’ve got virtual representatives, which is like most British subjects!

Colonial View of Parliamentary Authority � Key question: Does Parliament have a right to

Colonial View of Parliamentary Authority � Key question: Does Parliament have a right to tax the colonies w/o representation? � Some elites say NO! “Civilly emasculated” �Yet, accept they’re subordinate in some ways (just not w/taxes) � Sizeable # of commoners jump on bandwagon � Q: What is a viable alternative? � Some elites say YES! (Loyalists tied to Crown) � Other colonists are uncertain or simply apathetic

Colonial Responses to Stamp Act, 1765 � Stamp Act Congress � Nonimportation movement �

Colonial Responses to Stamp Act, 1765 � Stamp Act Congress � Nonimportation movement � Sons and Daughters of Liberty formed � So. L uses questionable tactics � Strains on Britain’s economy repeal of the Act BUT Declaratory Act tyranny? � How might Britain perceive the meeting of the Congress and formation/actions of the Sons of Liberty? � How dare they defy? ! We’re BRITAIN! � Congress = alarming � So. L = dangerous; uncivil; violent; encourages mobs � Fueled thoughts of: will extremists spread their views elsewhere? � Reinforced notions that colonists weren't

Troubles in Boston, 1768 -1770 � In response to harassment, intimidation, mob violence, destruction

Troubles in Boston, 1768 -1770 � In response to harassment, intimidation, mob violence, destruction of property, tarring + feathering, . . . � Britain sent several thousand British troops to Boston overreaction or warranted? � Boston’s reaction to troops: � Resentment � Tyranny? � Fear of standing army � Street fights occur regularly � BUT want reform, NOT independence

Boston “Massacre, ” 1770

Boston “Massacre, ” 1770

Boston “Massacre, ” 1770 � Problem: significant discrepancies in the primary source material �

Boston “Massacre, ” 1770 � Problem: significant discrepancies in the primary source material � Analyze POV: �British General writing to Crown �Sons of Liberty member writing in MA newspaper �Sons of Liberty member, Paul Revere, visual depiction

Boston “Massacre, ” 1770: Consensus � Colonial mob forms around a British soldier �

Boston “Massacre, ” 1770: Consensus � Colonial mob forms around a British soldier � British soldier runs to the custom house to get fellow soldiers: “They’re going to kill me!” � Soldiers arrive in his defense; ready guns � 1 soldier received a blow (stick, brick, snowball? ) + fired to frighten into submission (not harm) � Mob grew bolder, taunting/yelling, “You won’t dare fire!” � 8 soldiers fired on colonists � 5 Bostonians died

Diverging Accounts of “Massacre” British View Radicals in Boston � How are these perceptions

Diverging Accounts of “Massacre” British View Radicals in Boston � How are these perceptions influencing colonists’ view of the tyranny question? � How are these perceptions influencing Britain’s policies and view of the colonies?

Radicals in Boston British View • Perception: lives in danger! • Confusion • Some

Radicals in Boston British View • Perception: lives in danger! • Confusion • Some made mistake of firing directly at crowd • 5 unfortunately killed, but crowd was dangerous • Defensive measure �How are these perceptions influencing Britain’s policies and view of the colonies?

British View � How Radicals in Boston • Mob was only taunting because soldiers

British View � How Radicals in Boston • Mob was only taunting because soldiers had loaded their guns • Mob was armed with sticks but “everyone carried sticks in Boston” • Mob was hitting at soldiers’ guns but only to push them away (in defense) • They were looking for excuse to fire on townspeople are these perceptions influencing colonists’ view of the tyranny question?

British View • Perception: lives in danger! • Confusion • Some made mistake of

British View • Perception: lives in danger! • Confusion • Some made mistake of firing directly at crowd • 5 unfortunately killed, but crowd was dangerous • Defensive measure Radicals in Boston • Mob was only taunting because soldiers had loaded their guns • Mob was armed with sticks but “everyone carried sticks in Boston” • Mob was hitting at soldiers’ guns but only to push them away (in defense) • They were looking for excuse to fire on townspeople � How are these perceptions influencing colonists’ view of the tyranny question? � How are these perceptions influencing Britain’s policies and view of the colonies?

Paul Revere’s Depiction � To what extent is Revere’s depiction accurate? What elements did

Paul Revere’s Depiction � To what extent is Revere’s depiction accurate? What elements did Revere manipulate to shape public opinion?

Tea Politics, 1773 British View of Tea Act Colonial Take & Party • They

Tea Politics, 1773 British View of Tea Act Colonial Take & Party • They won’t possible resist cheaper tea! (ha) • Underestimated extent of representation in colonies (for elites anyway) • Disbelief at Tea Party in Boston; punitive actions (Coercive Acts) warranted

Reminders About Coercive Acts (1774) � Port of Boston was closed until destroyed tea

Reminders About Coercive Acts (1774) � Port of Boston was closed until destroyed tea was paid for � Legislature’s power was reduced; royal governor was given more power � Royal officials accused of crimes were to be tired in Britain, rather than colonies (Massachusetts Court had failed to be impartial, likely due to intimidation from Sons of Liberty) � Even some outsiders, like Washington, started to support the more radical Bostonians at this time � Were these acts tyrannical or

Tea Politics, 1773 British View of Tea Act & Party Colonial Take • Principled

Tea Politics, 1773 British View of Tea Act & Party Colonial Take • Principled opposition; boycotts • Boston Tea Party (73) justifiable? . . . nonviolence worked before • Other colonies condemn Tea Party, but feel the “Intolerable Acts” go to far • 1 st Continental Congress called and supported nonimportation

Tea Politics, 1773 British View of Tea Act Colonial Take & Party • They

Tea Politics, 1773 British View of Tea Act Colonial Take & Party • They won’t possible • Principled opposition; resist cheaper tea! (ha) boycotts • Boston Tea Party (73) • Underestimated extent justifiable? . . . nonviolence of representation in worked before colonies (for elites • Other colonies condemn Tea anyway) Party, but feel the “Intolerable Acts” go to far • Disbelief at Tea Party • 1 st Continental Congress in Boston; punitive called and supported actions (Coercive Acts) nonimportation warranted

Lexington & Concord, 1775 � First military clash in Boston � Most historians call

Lexington & Concord, 1775 � First military clash in Boston � Most historians call this the start of a “Civil War” � The conflict was not yet about independence (April, ‘ 75 vs. July, ’ 76) � Boston began stockpiling firearms/gunpowder in Concord (for “defense”) � Raised the alarm for Britain; planned to seize gunpowder at Concord (for “defense”)

Lexington & Concord, 1775 � Britain assumed an impressive military display would make an

Lexington & Concord, 1775 � Britain assumed an impressive military display would make an impact and whole resistance would collapse � But Brits were attacked on way to Concord, at Lexington � Bostonians forced British retreat at Concord � 250 British soldiers and 95 Bostonian soldiers killed

Diverging Responses to L&C Britain Colonies • Defensive measures against Boston militants who were

Diverging Responses to L&C Britain Colonies • Defensive measures against Boston militants who were planning to attack British soldiers • Bostonians fired first • Bostonians were savages, scalping dead and dying soldiers

Diverging Responses to L&C Britain Colonies • Boston: Brits were trying to take our

Diverging Responses to L&C Britain Colonies • Boston: Brits were trying to take our weapons! TYRANNY! • Boston: Time has come for intercolonial military action • 2 nd Continental Congress meets and pens Olive Branch Petition, rather than support Boston • 2 nd CC reluctantly decides to mobilize an army under General Washington once King rejects OBP

Diverging Responses to L&C Britain • Defensive measures against Boston militants who were planning

Diverging Responses to L&C Britain • Defensive measures against Boston militants who were planning to attack British soldiers • Bostonians fired first • Bostonians were savages, scalping dead and dying soldiers Colonies • Boston: Brits were trying to take our weapons! TYRANNY! • Boston: Time has come for intercolonial military action • 2 nd Continental Congress meets and pens Olive Branch Petition, rather than support Boston • 2 nd CC reluctantly decides to mobilize an army under General Washington once King rejects OBP

Second Continental Congress, 1775 � More divisive than first round since blood had been

Second Continental Congress, 1775 � More divisive than first round since blood had been shed + Britain was trying to seize arms � Yet conservatives won at first Olive Branch Petition � King’s response (rejection) big mistake or justifiable? � Unity comes to the Congress support for Continental Army � A year of civil war continues before the Congress votes on independence

Slow Progression Toward Independence � Lexington and Concord, April ‘ 75 � King’s rejection

Slow Progression Toward Independence � Lexington and Concord, April ‘ 75 � King’s rejection of Olive Branch Petition, August ‘ 75 � Thomas Paine’s Common Sense, January ‘ 76 � Independence somberly declared by Congress, July 2 nd, ‘ 76 � Declaration of Independence signed by Congress, July 4 th, ‘ 76

Remainder of Class: Work on LEQ Prep � Look through P 3 packet, outlines,

Remainder of Class: Work on LEQ Prep � Look through P 3 packet, outlines, presentations, and ask: � How do these materials address the prompt? � Collect and weigh evidence BEFORE constructing your thesis