The American Revolution

1. The American Revolution Social 20-1 A nation begins to form as loyalties shift… Textbook: pg. 90-91

2. Crashcourse: American Revolution http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlUiSBXQHCw Watch this 12 minute summary of the American Revolution and add to your notes. The address is above. Alternatively Go to Youtube Type in “Crashcourse American History” You may need to watch several times Note at 4:42 – clear connection to nationalism

3. Cautions of the term “American” • Until the American revolution, there are no “Americans” • They are British citizens, and colonists of North America • Forgive me if I accidentally refer to these colonists as Americans

4. Understanding the Settlers • What was the goal of settling the New World? • Imperialism – gaining power and land for the mother country • Colonialism – expanding economic & political power • Mercantilism – colonies were meant to create wealth for the mother country • In other words, any colony served the mother country • On a side note, colonization allowed European countries to get rid of ‘radicals (like the Puritans…)

5. Understanding the Settlers • The settlement what would become America was done by several European powers • In 1674, the Dutch ceded their territory to the British • Ultimately, Britain came to control all of the Eastern sea-board • Over time, the area was divided into 13 regions, the “Thirteen Colonies”

6. Understanding the Settlers • However, the British settlers are of most interest to us • They were largely puritans • Devout protestants fleeing persecution in Europe • Anti Catholic and Anglican • Also fond of many enlightenment ideals, particularly those of Locke and Rousseau

7. Understanding the Settlers • Colonial life was extremely hard • Frontiersman and women – individual struggles • Pioneering experiences – creating something from nothing • The character of the land – wild, untamed • Who were the settlers? • Many were destitute/broke peasants from Europe • Many were indentured servants • Over 50,000 convicts were shipped from England • Of course, African slaves • Wealthy landowners • Persecuted religious groups

8. Understanding the Settlers • But what is important is for us to recognize that over time, American settlers began to identify more closely with each other than their European homelands. “The revolution was effected before the war commenced…in the minds and hearts of the people.” – John Adams Slavery in the 13 Colonies

9. North America Before the French and Indian War (7 Years’ War)

10. The French and Indian War or “7 Years War” (1754-1763) • This conflict was caused by tensions between Britain and France, particularly over colonial interests • Combatants • Great Britain and some aboriginal assistance • 42,000 regulars and militia • France with major aboriginal and militia assistance • 10,000 regulars • 10,000ish militia and aboriginal soldiers

11. The French and Indian War or “7 Years War” (1754-1763) • Although the British had greater numbers, the French Canadians and Aboriginal forces were great ambushers • In particular, tales about “Indian savagery” terrified British soldiers • Most were militia • Most were familiar with the terrain

12. The French and Indian War or “7 Years War” (1754-1763) • This was truly a global conflict, with fighting occurring in: • North America • Europe • Throughout the colonies of the aggressors • Fighting officially ended in North America in 1763, with the “Treaty of Paris” • However, the conflict continued for another three years in Europe

13. The French and Indian War or “7 Years War” (1754-1763) • Outcomes • France ceded control French Louisiana – their colonial possessions are now more or less limited to the Caribbean • Britain now has a great number of French Canadian settlers in Upper/Lower Canada • Acadian Deportment • Proclamation line of 1763 • France and Britain are severely in debt

14. Results of the 7 Years War

15. Grievances with England First, remember that “American” settlers did not identify with Britain as much as they previously did Proclamation Line of 1763 Financial Acts 1764-1766 Sugar Act, Stamp Act, Currency Act The Boston Massacre 1770 The Boston Tea Party 1773 The “Intolerable Acts” 1774

16. Proclamation Line of 1763 • Refusal of Westward expansion • The Americans were beginning to feel crowded in the 13 colonies • Where the French valued aboriginals for fur, the settlers valued aboriginals for land • Both legally, and illegally gained

17. Sugar, Stamp, Currency Acts • Britain was in debt after the war, so they turned to their colonies for economic assistance • Note: up until now, the American settlers have been largely left alone – and now they are being interfered with • The British viewed these acts as reasonable – their colonists were British citizens, thus they should share the tax burden

18. Sugar, Stamp, Currency Acts • However, the colonists were enraged • They saw the acts as unfair • Although they were British citizens, they did not have political representation in Britain • They saw the acts as subjugation • Republican VS Imperialist Ideologies • The acts were repealed in 1767

19. The Boston Massacre • Additional taxation laws emerged and kept tensions high between British governors and colonial citizens • An increased number of troops was also brought in by Britain to help maintain order • Then, in 1770, a confrontation between these troops ended in bloodshed • 3 civilians dead, and 8 wounded

20. The Boston Massacre

21. The Boston Tea Party • In 1773, Britain passed the “Tea Act”, to help the struggling British East India Company • The company could export tea to the 13 colonies duty free, while the colonists still paid tax • Merchants in the 13 colonies organized again (just like the Stamp Act) to oppose this new legislation • The settlers’ grievance was that they were being taxed without having representation in the British government • Was a seen as a violation of the rights as British citizens

22. The Boston Tea Party

23. The Boston Tea Party • In 1773, a radical group of settlers, called the “Sons of liberty” threw over 90,000 pounds of tea into Boston’s harbor • Worth 888,000 British pounds today! • Britain responded by closing Boston’s ports until the East India Company had been repaid • Note: The “Sons of Liberty” disguised themselves as Native Americans

24. The “Intolerable Acts” 1774 • A series of laws passed by the British Parliament, in response to the Boston tea party • Boston Port Act – closed the port of Boston • Massachusetts Government Act – forced this colonial government directly under control of Britain • Administration of Justice Act – Allowed British officials to be tried in England, rather than the colonies • Called “The Murder Act” by George Washington • Quartering Act – Allowed governors to house troops in any building, if barracks were not provided • Quebec Act –

25. The “Intolerable Acts” 1774 • The Quebec Act • Extended the boundaries of the “Province of Quebec” • Guaranteed free practice of the Catholic faith • Restored the use of French civil law for private matters, while keeping English common law for public administration • Quite obviously, this act enraged those living in the 13 colonies

26. What is your opinion? Was Britain wise in treating the 13 colonies so harshly? Would a gentler response by Britain to colonial grievances have result in the same conclusion? Make reference to the various acts we studied in your answer.