Chapter 5: American Revolution
According to the introduction, how would 1763-1776 prove fatal for the British Empire? From what you know about the colonial period, why could the colonists not accept change to their governing structures?
1763 to 1776 would prove fatal for the British Empire because they would tighten their control over the colonies after the war, but the colonies would not like it at all. Before the war the colonies were ruled by a policy known as salutary neglect and they were used to being able to govern by themselves. However, when Britain made the rules tighter and decided to rule the colonies with more force, the colonists rebelled and thus the American Revolution began. The colonists would not accept change to their governing structures because of the lives they lived before. Self-government was so much better than rule from the British government so it was hard to go back to something very restrictive.
How did colonists justify the colonies as separate and indeed sovereign entities? How is this a change over time?
Colonists justify the colonies as sovereign entities by saying that the American assemblies in the colonies should be equal within the empire and that colonists should not be looked down upon compared to the British. He said that the colonists were distinct and separate states with the same Head or the King. Franklin's suggestion was rejected by the royal governor of Massachusetts. "Two independent legislatures in one and the same state" was something that the British could not accept because the colonies were simply not the same with Britain.
"Declaration of the Causes and Necessities of Taking Up Arms"
Declaration of the Causes and Necessities of Taking Up Arms: The declaration that the Patriots actively supported. It was meant to declare that the Americans had to fight for their freedom or the constant oppression and tyranny would continue.
Identify the Coercive Acts, passions about the Quebec Act, and the Continental Congress. What was the real significance of this Congress?
Four Coercive Acts were passed by the Parliament to force Massachusetts to pay for the tea and submit to imperial authority. The Massachusetts Government Act annulled the colony's charter and prohibited most town meetings; a new Quartering Act mandated new barracks for British troops; and the Justice Act allowed trials for capital crime be transferred to other colonies or to Britain. The Quebec Act allowed the practice of Roman Catholicism in Quebec. This reignited religious passions in New England where Protestants associated Catholicism with the arbitrary royal government. It also angered land speculators because the act extended Quebec's boundaries into the Ohio River Valley. In response to the Coercive Acts, Patriot leaders convened a new continent-wide body known as the Continental Congress. Twelve mainland colonies sent representatives. Four recently acquired colonies refused to send delegates were the royal governor controlled the legislatures. The significance of this congress was that the colonies finally came together to form a consensus on how they were going to respond to the British and their tyrannical rule. It also demonstrated how some colonies were still controlled by the British and that was why they couldn't attend the Congress.
Who were the Americans already represented by, according to Parliament, when offered Franklin's proposal for giving Americans membership?
Franklin proposed that Americans should get more representation in Parliament if the British were going to continue to tax them. However, most British legislators rejected Franklin's idea and told him that the colonists already had virtual representation in Parliament because some of its members were transatlantic merchants and West Indian sugar planters.
Great Britain had their own reasons for expanding their control of its colonies in America, what are a few of those reasons?
Great Britain expanded their control of its colonies in America because they could no longer let the colonies manage their own affairs while it did not have complete control over all the Atlantic trade. This was because the colonists were trading with the French in the West Indies and also the Dutch merchants. Britain wanted the colonists to just trade with Britain so they decided to have more control over the trade to direct it all toward Britain. British administrators were also worried by the concepts of liberty that were arising in colonial life, especially since many colonists now believed they deserved liberty for their pursuit of happiness. However, to the British, they did not want the colonists to have more liberty compared to their constituents in Great Britain. Embarrassed about how disobeying the colonists were who did not respect the British at all.
Why did King George III deploy 10,000 British regulars to North America during peacetime following the French Indian War? (list 3 reasons) Troops cost money, and whom does the British Parliament want to pay for a portion of the debt and these troops?
King George III deployed 10,000 British troops to North America during peacetime because Britain feared rebellion, wanted to maintain peace in the Americas, and suppress the Native Americans. The British were afraid of a rebellion of the colonists who were angry with the new tax rules. They deployed troops to help maintain peace and also suppress the Native Americans. The troops costed money and the British Parliament wanted the colonists to pay for the debt of these troops. They began to tax the colonists for basically anything which angered the colonists who were extremely sensitive to any sort of change from normal salutary neglect.
Why did Lord North repeal most of the Townshend duties, had nonimportation succeeded? Why did he not repeal the duty on tea?
Lord North repeal most of the Townshend duties by arguing that it was foolish to tax British exports to America. Taxing raised their price and decreased consumption. However, North retained the tax on tea because it was a symbol of the Parliament's supremacy. This also demonstrates how Britain was losing their control over the colonies yet again because they needed to keep a tea tax to symbolize their power.
Nonimportation and homespun are two critical ways in which the colonist's boycotted. Discuss these methods and how women played a role.
Nonimportation was a way of the colonist protesting the unfair policies of the British towards the colonies. The women induced this boycott by reducing their home's consumption of imported goods and producing large quantities of homespun cloth. This meant that they did not need a lot of manufactured British goods to maintain their lifestyle, the women could just create it on their own. The women also helped the poor through charity. The women's protests reflected how much they cared for their community. The women basically did this entire thing. The men protested outside of the home, but the ability to reduce the consumption of certain products in the household was all done by the women. They were able to understand the significance of the liberty movements and act accordingly. Additionally, these efforts brought many women out into the public arena and they became more respected (although there is still a long way to go).
How did popular opposition to the Stamp Act take form in the colonies? Who led this resistance? How did the Enlightenment influence colonial resistance? Why was the Stamp Act repealed and what was the intent behind the Declaratory Act?
Opposition to the Stamp Act took form in the colonies through mobs and violent or nonviolent protests. This resistance was led mainly by the Sons of Liberty who burned down houses of British governors and asserted their liberty over the tyranny of the British government. The evangelical Protestants resented the arrogant British military officers and corrupt royal bureaucrats. The politicians feared that imperial reform would undermine political liberty and the essence of what it means to be an American. Many tax collectors resigned their offices in all thirteen colonies that would eventually join in the Declaration of Independence. This led to the emerging Patriot movement. The Enlightenment, English common law, and the English political tradition influenced colonial resistance. Enlightenment rationalism and the ideas from John Locke regarding "natural rights" and Montesquieu's "separation of powers" affected the colonists. These two philosophes taught that all people are entitled to their natural rights which consists of life, liberty, and property, and that all governments must protect these rights of their citizens. They also taught about the "separation of powers" where the government is divided into sectors to rule so that one part of the government does not exert complete control over another. The Stamp Act was repealed because the British also realized that it did not help any of the British exports and there was too much resistance. The intent behind the Declaratory Act was to act like the British government still had control over the colonies even though it was quite obvious that they were losing their grasp. The act reaffirmed Parliament's "full power and authority to make laws and statutes." During this time, anti-slavery movements also began to arise but most governments tried to stop it because they did not want to undermine the slavery system. This was unfair since the colonists were fighting for natural rights but did not grant them to the slaves.
"Proclamation for Suppressing Rebellion and Sedition"
Proclamation for Suppressing Rebellion and Sedition: Proclamation passed by George III of England after he heard that the Americans were gearing up for war. This stated that the British forces would do everything in their power to fight against the rebellions in the colonies.
What was the controversy over "Vice-admiralty courts"? Explain why these frustrated colonists and how this connected to the overall complaint the colonists were issuing over representation. Furthermore, how did these few simple laws represent the end of Salutary Neglect?
The "vice-admiralty courts" where nice in theory but clearly biased. Merchants prosecuted under the act would be sent to the vice-admiralty courts with tribunals under the act would be vice-admiralty judges. These judges in these courts would be tried by tribunals governing the high seas and by British-appointed judges. Although the colonists said that this system was unfair, the book also says that the accused smugglers in Britain were also tried in the same courts so the Britons and the colonists were tried in the same system. This was still biased because the judge was still British.
Why are troops being sent to Boston? The stage is set.
The British sent troops to Boston in order to prevent American resistance. The colonists that were resisting just convinced the British to exert their control even further. They branded the opposition to the Parliament "unjustifiable." They wanted to truly show how those who commit treason are going to be treated and also that Britain was not going to back down from this conflict. This set the stage. Neither side was going to compromise so what is next? War.
Identify the Currency Act and George Grenville. Identify the Sugar Act, who advocated for it, and what it sought to achieve? How did merchants like John Hancock intend to get around this new law?
The Currency Act was an Act that was passed by George Grenville that stated that American colonies are banned from using paper money as legal measurement to trade and gain profits through manufacturing and producing goods. It also ensured that the colonists were not provided with their own currency but rather that the money they receive was printed in Britain. This ultimately put all the power in the hands of the rich. Merchants got out of this law when they smuggled goods over from other countries even though there was a ban on using paper money. The Sugar Act put a tax on sugar and it reformed the Molasses Act of 1733 that went widely ignored by the colonists. Grenville lowered the tax to make it 3 pence per gallon so that it was more feasible for colonists to pay, he also tightened customs enforcements so that the merchants would actually pay the taxes. He also fosters the tension between the colonists and the British. The British are continuing to be so strict even though they gave the colonists so much freedom that the colonists were not used to suddenly reverting back to a strict society governed by laws from the British.
How did the French and Indian War reveal the little control the British had over their colonies and what would be the ensuing result? Discuss the curbing of smuggling and another Revenue Act.
The French and Indian War revealed that Britain had little control over their colonies because they could not tax or maintain the government of colonies properly. After the war, the national debt of Britain was very high and they needed to tax consumables like salt, beer, bricks, candles, paper, etc. The middle class Britons were taxed to support their defaulting government. This later extended to the colonists who had to pay taxes also. Britain did not have ultimate control over their colonies because the colonies still traded with illegal forces and smuggled their goods. They also never listened to the Navigation Acts which is a primary reason why Britain needed to enforce stricter laws. Additionally, the royal governors in colonies were supposed to have a lot of power to govern the colony, but their power became equal to that of the colonial assembly. This showed that the colonists supported a government that had true equal representation for all. The result would be that Britain would create new laws so that the colonists could not prosper as compared to the Europeans. The Revenue Act of 1762 was when the Royal Navy was instructed to seize any American vessels carrying goods to the French West Indies.
That the Galloway Plan was rejected indicates what about the change in attitude among many leaders in the colonies over the previous twenty or so years? (Think carefully about this question, as I know you can figure out the answer.) Instead, what do the colonists at the congress desire?
The Galloway Plan said that each colony would retain its assembly to legislate on local matters and a new continent wide-body would handle general American affairs. The king would appoint a president-general to preside over a legislative council selected by the colonial assemblies. It was rejected by a single vote. This was an indication that a prolonged British tyranny had affected the way the colonists began to think of their government. They thought that the plan was too appeasing for the colonies which meant that those who rejected believed that colonists should not have as much freedom. This shows that the colonies still cared for the British and although they wanted to break off, some colonies had ties to Britain that they couldn't break off. The colonists at the congress instead desire the repeal of the Coercive Acts and stipulated that the British control only be limited to matters of trade. They threatened to cut off all colonial exports to Britain, Ireland, and the British West Indies.
Who opposed the Patriot movement and the actions of the Sons of Liberty? Outline the neutrals and loyalists, who were they, etc?
The Patriot movement was opposed by the poor neighbors who regarded the Patriots as suspicious because they are all wealthy planters. The poorer citizens supported the king because they hated their landlords. Similarly, these social conflicts made the Regulators in north Carolinas and farmers in Maryland to oppose the Patriots there. Skeptics believed that the Patriot leaders were subverting British rule only to advance their own selfish interests. The Sons of Liberty also supported the growing fear against the Patriots. These men would use intimidation and violence to uphold the boycotts which confused the intentions of the boycotts for many settlers who did not fully understand the scope of the conflict. The neutrals were the people who wanted to remain quiet. They wanted to stay out of the conflict: the Quakers and the Germans resisted conscription and violence out of religious conviction. Others were confused about what was going on around them. Many opposers against the independence movement were pressured by their neighbors to join the boycotts and were subjected to humiliation if they refused.
The Second Continental Congress
The Second Continental Congress: Patriot leaders gathered and when the Congress opened, British troops attacked American fortifications in Boston. John Adams exhorted the Congress to rise to the defense of American liberty and create a continental army. He nominated George Washington to lead it. (However, there were still colonies who wanted to reconcile with the British)
Southern patriots faced a unique situation by supporting the revolutionary cause? How so?
The Southern patriots were divided into different armies based on race because the Southern colonies had many slaves compared to the other colonies. Therefore, there were two different armies. One was with white men and the other was composed of enlisted Ethiopians who were black.
Identify the Stamp Act and Quartering Act briefly.
The Stamp Act of 1765 was an Act that required tax stamps on all printed documents such as college diplomas, court documents, land titles, and contracts to newspapers, almanacs, and playing cards. It bore more heavily on the rich, required no new bureaucracy, and stamped paper would be delivered to colonial ports and sold to printers without their stamps. The Quartering Act of 1765 required colonial governments to provide barracks and food for British troops.
Identify the Townshend and Restraining Acts, and how the colonies responded to them. What group gathered more strength and voice in resisting British taxes?
The Townshend Act was an act that imposed duties on colonial imports of paper, paint, glass, and tea that were expected to raise the British income by a lot every year. The Restraining Acts were the acts that made the colonies only trade with Britain. It was a reinforcement of the Navigation Acts that were ignored by colonists in the past. The colonies definitely disliked these acts and were angered by Townshend's policies regarding the colonies. The Revenue Act also created a board of customs commissioners in Boston and vice-admiralty courts in Boston. Congress, the Sons of Liberty, and other movements started to gather more strength in voicing their opinions and resisting British taxes.
List the two essentials for independence? How did the Committees of Correspondence come into being?
The essentials for independence is representation and equality. The colonists need representation in the government even more so than they have now and equality with the other British people in Britain. The Committees of Correspondence were created to state the rights of the colonies and to assert their independence from the British tyranny. However, British officials threatened to seize the Americans responsible for the burning of the customs vessel (British ship) and prosecute them, but the house of Burgesses set up their own committees of correspondence. These committees allowed them to communicate with their leaders and protect their own rights.
Explain the reasons behind the desire to move west. How did Britain respond to this and how do you think the land seekers would react?
The reasons behind the desire to move West was because all the land was taken up in the East. The French, Dutch, British, and Native Americans were basically occupying the same land and the only way to get more space was to move West where there were less people. Additionally, many men were petitioning to the British for large land grants in the Ohio county. Officers who served in the Seven Years' War were paid in land warrants and Native Americans who had land in the West wanted to sell them. Finally, thousands of squatters were following the roads cut to the Ohio by the Braddock and Forbes campaigns during the Seven Years' War to take up lands in the hope that they would later receive them. Britain was worried that the colonists were not following the laws of the Proclamation Line. They did not want to further antagonize the Native Americans without benefitting the empire. However, the colonists did not care and they were already moving west to settle in large numbers and once again, did not follow the rules of the British.
Identify the resolutions of the Stamp Act Congress by listing a few key points.
The resolutions of the Stamp Act by Congress was by formal rejection. Both the Virginia House of Burgesses and the Massachusetts House of Representatives actively condemned the tyranny of the british government who had enforced the Stamp Act. The colonies met together at the Stamp Act Congress to protest the loss of American "rights and liberties," especially the right to trial by jury. It challenged the constitutionality of both the Stamp and Sugar Acts by declaring that only the colonists' elected representatives could tax them. They also organized a boycott of British goods.
It can be said that the western expansionists took matters into their own hands and they had help with Lord Dunmore, how did this 'declaration of independence,' ignore the Proclamation Line of 1763. Meanwhile, in Massachusetts, why did the British go to Concord and what was the "shot heard round the world?" What does this mean?
This "Declaration of Independence" from Lord Dunmore's war ignored the Proclamation Line of 1763 because the fought a battle at Point Pleasant and claimed Kentucky as their own. Kentucky was past the "imaginary line" that the Proclamation drew in the middle of the US so it completely defied the rules enforced through the Proclamation. The British went to Concord because armed crowds harassed Loyalists and ensured Patriot rule in most of New England. In response, the British ordered their troops to seize Patriot armories. An army of militiamen quickly mobilized to safeguard other Massachusetts military depots. The Concord town meeting raised a defensive force, the famous Minutemen (who were to stand at a minutes warning in case of alarm). When Parliament decided to march against the rebellions and dispatched 700 soldiers to capture colonial leaders and supplies at Concord, Paul Revere and a series of other riders warned the Patriots in many towns. At dawn, the militiamen confronted the British regulars first at Lexington and then at Concord. As the British retreated to Boston, militia from neighboring towns ambushed them. Violence had finally broken out. The "shot heard round the world" refers to the shot that first started the skirmishes between the British and the colonists. It is said that the shot was so loud and caused so much disruption in the lives of the colonists that everyone could hear it.
It can be said that the rhetoric of the Great Awakening along with Enlightenment thinking motivated rebellion. How did "Common Sense" galvanize support and how did Thomas Jefferson employ the ideals of Locke in his Declaration of Independence?
Thomas Paine's Common Sense galvanized support the cause because he called for an independent, republican form of government. He assaulted the traditional monarchy and stated that the world should have a democratic society with a balance of the three estates of kings, lords, and commoners. He granted that the system was for the dark times but now the tyranny was not okay. He argued for independence by using the metaphor of the patriarchal authority. "Is it in the interest of a man to be a boy all his life?" Many people read his pamphlets and it convinced many people that it was the time for independence. In the Declaration of Independence, Locke's ideas of life, liberty, and property were there, but it was changed to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. He said that there were "self-evident" truths such as the fact that "all men were created equal." He also established the idea of popular sovereignty, in which the ultimate power lies in the hands of an electorate. Thus, the republican government with American independence was established with ideas from Jefferson and the Enlightenment.
Discuss the tea act and the Boston Tea Party, analyze the resistance the colonist's are now engaged in, is there any turning back at this point?
When Parliament passed the Tea Act of May 1773 (providing financial relief for the East India Company, a royally chartered private corporation that served as the instrument of British imperialism) the colonists were angry. The company was deeply in debt; but it had a huge surplus of tea as a result of high import duties which led Britons and colonists alike to drink smuggled Dutch tea instead. The Tea Act gave the company a government loan to boost its revenue, canceled import duties on tea that they used to export to the American colonies. Now, high-quality East India Company tea would cost less than the Dutch tea smuggled into the colonies by American merchants. (THIS IS BAD! Bad business for the colonists). Merchants joined a protest against the British government because the East India company planned to distribute its tea directly to shopkeepers which would exclude the American wholesalers from the trade's profits. Massachusetts Royal governor was determined to land the tea and collect the tax. To foil the governor's plan, artisans and laborers disguised as Native Americans boarded the three ships and broke open 342 chests of tea and threw them into the harbor. It was worth about 900,000 dollars today.
William Pitt's ideas being rejected prove what about the British approach to the colonies at this time?
William Pitt suggested that Parliament renounce its power to tax colonies and to recognize the Continental Congress as a lawful body. In return, he said that Congress should acknowledge parliamentary supremacy and provide a permanent source of revenue to help pay the debt. The British ministry rejected the plan. They branded the Continental Congress an illegal assembly which showed that British had no willingness to comply with the demands of the colonists and still wanted to impose their control. The monetary gain from the colonies through mercantilism was so great that the British just did not want to let the colonists gain their liberty. The Continental Association was established by the First Continental Congress who enforced a third boycott of British goods. Patriots also warned that the British measures threatened the yeoman tradition of land ownership. Many Chesapeake planters were in debt to British merchants and resented the British for making the planters dependent on the British. If Parliament were to use the Coercive Acts to subdue Massachusetts, then it might turn next to Virginia and dissolve its representative assembly.