French and Indian War

1. French and Indian War

2. Relationships • During the latter part of the 17th Century, Britain had a few domestic issues to deal with that caused them to overlook their colonies • While they still commanded a great deal of authority over the colonies, they cared little for the day to day operations of them, so long as the money and raw materials kept coming in • The colonies thrived under this situation because it forced them into becoming somewhat self sufficient • This is known as ‘benign’ or ‘salutary’ neglect…

3. The Birth of an American Identity • As Colonial development progressed, the colonies developed their own identity • A main instigator in this was the ‘Great Awakening’, which saw a renewed religious fervor in the colonies and in Britain • While it began in Europe, it also sparked an intellectual revival amongst the colonists. • People began reading more, and in turn took the knowledge gained from these readings and applied it to their environment.

4. The Great Awakening • One of the first ‘American’ movements was the Great Awakening because the first small revivals began in the colonies • The main revival began in Europe and spread throughout the colonies, causing people to return to church • The ‘hook’ that got people’s attention was that God was angry and you need to repent • Important results of the Great Awakening were the creation and expansion of colleges and universities here in the colonies and it took on a life of its own that differed from Europe.

5. Enlightenment • While the Great Awakening swept across much of Europe and the colonies, another more secular movement had impact on the educated elite • The Enlightenment began in Europe with philosophers like Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Montesquieu, and Voltaire. • They emphasized our ability to think for ourselves, using reason to guide us. • Soon their writings appeared in colleges in the colonies, and many of the upper class colonists were greatly influenced by their ideas

7. Beginnings of a World Conflict • Western Pennsylvania was claimed by both the French and British, so individual colonies occasionally sent out their militia to protect their interests • George Washington’s men ambushed a French Scouting party in 1754 out near Ft. Necessity (close to Pittsburgh) • French Army returned and with superior numbers easily defeated the British and Washington retreated back to Virginia • French and English had been rivals in the area since the beginning of exploration in the region • English had settled along the coast while the French explored farther inland – along the St Lawrence river, Great Lakes, and Mississippi River

8. The Albany Plan of Union • Ben Franklin sought to unify the war effort for the British within the colonies • Another goal was to work out a unified war effort in the Northern Colonies • The delegates approved the plan but colonist rejected it feeling that they didn’t want to surrender that much power to someone other than themselves

9. Early Stages of War • Early in the war the French held early advantage. • In 1755 they won a decisive battle in Western Pennsylvania with about 900 French troops and Native Americans who defeated the British. • British no match as they used old fashioned tactics of fighting in straight lines in open spaces • British General Braddock was killed and an aide – George Washington was forced to retreat. • Washington aided the British retreat and noted the bravery of colonial Militia (armed citizens who serve as soldiers in an emergency).

10. Turning Point and British Victory • 1756 – British officially declare war on France (thus beginning the Seven Years War) • 1757 – William Pitt becomes British Prime Minister (highest ranking official in British Parliamentary gov’t) and feels that the entire British Empire is at stake. • Pitt persuaded Parliament to raise taxes and borrowed huge sums of money to finance the war. • What would be the long term significance of that?

11. TheTurning of the Tide • With the money to spend on the war, soon the British overwhelmed French in Western Pennsylvania and Canada • They won the important battle of Louisbourg which was an important port on the gulf of St Lawrence and then worked their way down the St Lawrence River towards the Great Lakes • At the same time, they won Fort Duquesne (which was later named Fort Pitt and then later the city of Pittsburgh) and then Fort Niagara.

12. The Fall of Quebec • Quebec seen as “prize” to the English • The city was surrounded by high cliffs on three sides • The British were commanded by James Wolfe and the French by General Marquis de Montcalm. • British 9,000 troops and French 7,500. • British tried to attack it head on, but it failed • British tried a siege which meant they would trap the French in their positions although Wolfe only had limited time for this to work.

13. Fall of Quebec • The British were pressed for time- winter was approaching • They marched their soldiers at night up a narrow path outside the city • Montcalm foolishly ordered his soldiers to fight the British instead of staying in the city • The British defeat the French, both Wolfe and Montcalm are killed • The victory opens the St. Lawrence River and the Great Lakes to the British

14. The Treaty of Paris • The French and Indian War ended with the Treaty of Paris in 1763 • Under the Treaty of Paris; • France turned Canada over to Britain and gave up all land claims East of the Mississippi River. • France kept the city of New Orleans • British gave Cuba to Spanish in exchange for Florida • Spain had been an ally to France in the War • The most important facet of the Treaty of Paris was the Proclamation of 1763 • As per the proclamation, no American colonist could claim land west of the Appalachian Mountain range.

16. Consequences • Policy of ‘benign neglect’ came to an end • Britain had so much debt that they needed to now tax the colonies just to balance their books • The relationship between the colonies and Great Britain soon soured over the now ever present British army and officials • Of course, the British officer’s treatment of colonial militiamen had done damage already • What had begun as a positive sign of Britain’s care of the colonies soon caused the colonists’ angst because they could no longer relate to each other

17. Issues Behind the Revolution

18. Britain’s Financial Problems • John Stewart, Earl of Bute had replaced William Pitt as Prime Minister • Bute was replaced by George Grenville in 1763 • Britain had increased costs to maintain its empire…cider tax in the apple growing region of England had caused riots • Colonies in North America were prospering • Britain had decided to draw on its prospering colonies and impose new taxes and enforce old duties

19. The Sugar and Quartering Acts • Sugar Act 1764– lowered the tax on imported molasses and encouraged colonists to buy more imported molasses rather than smuggle in molasses illegally • Anyone caught smuggling molasses would be tried in British court rather than colonial courts • Quartering Act 1765– Required colonists to provide housing and supplies to any British Troops who stayed behind after the French and Indian War… never was a real problem • Reaction against these acts was mild compared to future acts

20. The Stamp Act - 1765 • Stamp Act required a tax on all newspapers, pamphlets, legal documents, and most other printed materials • Marked the first time colonists had been taxed for the express purpose or raising money for England • Reaction would be widespread – The Stamp Act Congress would be formed in 1765 with delegates meeting from 9 colonies in New York

21. The Stamp Act Congress • Organizer – James Otis of Massachusetts • This was an attempt to organize the protest over the Stamp Act and included the cooperation of 9 colonies • The protests worked out well because the British eventually got rid of the Stamp Act • Since 9 colonies worked together, it was an early example of colonial cooperation

22. The Sons of Liberty • Another way to show their displeasure over the stamp act was to Boycott British goods • The group that started the initial group was formed in Boston and called the Sons of Liberty and was led by Samuel Adams • The Sons of Liberty threatened violence (they also followed through on some occasions) against British officials • British merchants became angry at the loss of money due to the boycott and the Stamp Act was repealed in 1766

23. Declaratory Act - 1766 • The Stamp Act’s repeal was but a temporary victory for the colonists • Almost immediately, the parliament passed the Declaratory Acts, which pretty much said that they could pass any law in regards to the colonies without their consent. • Already displeased at the notion of ‘taxation without representation”, this act served only to increase tensions in the colonies

24. The Townshend Acts - 1767 • Parliament placed import taxes on lead, paint, tea and glass • Revenue from these duties went directly to supporting British troops, royal governors and royal judges. Power of the purse was very much lost to the colonists • A customs commission was created • New York assembly was suspended for failing to comply with the acts • This further angered colonists who again boycotted British goods.

25. The Boston Massacre • Britain placed extra troops in Boston as a result of the protest of the Townshend acts (Sons of Liberty). • March 5, 1770 an unruly crowd threatened a group of British soldiers who opened fire on the crowd • 5 colonists including one African American – Crispus Attucks died. • As a result, Parliament cancelled the Townshend taxes and left only a duty on Tea as a reminder of their authority. Colonists still boycotted British Tea • Cool fact: John Adams successfully defended the soldiers who were tried after the massacre

26. Two Views of the ‘Massacre’ Take 5 minutes to discuss the difference between these two depictions of the Boston Massacre… How do they differ in their portrayal of the colonists?

27. The Real Boston Massacre

28. The Boston Tea Party • 1773 Parliament passed the Tea Act granting the East India company the right to sell tea in America without paying normal tax. • This made their tea much cheaper than the smuggled tea of American merchants • On December 16, 1773 some members of the Sons of Liberty boarded a ship loaded with tea in Boston Harbor • They threw over 300 chests full of tea into the harbor which were worth around 1.3 million dollars today.

29. The Coercive Acts • The British weren’t very happy about the Boston Tea Party and they wanted the colonists to pay for the destroyed ‘property’ • In 1774 the Parliament passed the Coercive Acts which were meant to punish the residents of Massachusetts for their actions • There were five parts: The Boston Port Bill, The Massachusetts Government Act, the Administrative Justice Act, The Quartering Act, and the Quebec Bill • The Boston Port Bill closed Boston Harbor until the money had been paid back – how do you think this affected the colonists? • The Massachusetts Government Act placed Ma under the control of the military and basically suspended town meetings • The Administrative Justice Act said that any British soldiers accused of a crime must be tried in Britain instead of the colonies • The Quartering Act now mandated colonists to house soldiers in their homes

30. The Quebec Bill • The first four parts of the Coercive Acts mostly affected whom? • Although most colonies felt that Massachusetts was getting a raw deal, they didn’t stand up for them • However, when the Parliament passed the Quebec Bill, that changed • The Quebec Bill extended the boundary of Canada down to the Ohio River and extended certain rights that had been taken away from the American colonists • Why would this cause some controversy? • American colonists weren’t allowed to settle there because of the Proclamation of 1763 even though colonists had land claims out there

31. First Continental Congress • The Committees of Correspondence urged a response to the Intolerable Acts • The result was the formation and meeting of the First Continental Congress which met in Philadelphia in September of 1774 • 56 delegates came from every colony except Georgia • Leading figures included George Washington, Patrick Henry, and Richard Henry Lee of Virginia. Samuel Adams was the most rebellious of the delegates although there were moderate delegates such as John Dickinson of Pennsylvania and John Jay of New York

32. The First Continental Congress • Several measures were passed by the congress: • Renewed boycott • Call to all the people of the colonies to arm themselves and form militias • Congress also made a direct appeal to the King with grievances and asking for understanding • Congress agreed to not meet again if the crisis was resolved • Kings response: “There is rebellion in New England and blows must decide”.

33. Lexington and Concord • The King had labelled them “rebels” although they called themselves “patriots” • Massachusetts formed a militia and had a stockpile of weapons stored in the town of Concord, about 20 miles from Boston • The British were ordered to seize this stockpile but patriots heard of this and Paul Revere, Dr Samuel Prescott, and William Dawes were sent to ride on Horseback and warn he militia on April 18 1775. • Revere got to Lexington, about 5 miles from Concord around midnight

34. Lexington and Concord • The British arrived at Lexington close to dawn on April 19. • The British ordered the colonists to lay down their weapons which at first they did. Then a shot was fired and the British returned the fire and killed 8 colonists within minutes • As the British marched on to Concord, some 4,000 patriots shot at them from trees and behind stone walls. • What had seemed like an easy British Victory at dawn turned into a costly defeat.

35. The Battle of Lexington and Concord • 70 British Soldiers were killed and 170 wounded before the British found safety in Boston • Battle of Lexington and Concord officially began the Revolutionary war

36. Ideas Behind the Revolution • The American Revolution took place on two levels; • Struggle for power between the American Colonists and Great Britain • Settled on the battlefield • Colonists rethinking of the role of citizens, government, and the relationship between the two. • It was during this time that Americans learned to demand that government respect citizens’ rights

37. Common Sense • “Common Sense” was a 47 page pamphlet written by Thomas Paine which first appeared in Philadelphia in January of 1776 • Written in a simplified manner which made it easier to understand • Position clearly in favor of a separation with Britain • Direct and clear style helped influence many that a separation was not only feasible, but necessary.

38. The Second Continental Congress • “Common Sense” appeared in Philadelphia shortly before the meeting of the Second Continental Congress in May of 1775 • A month before, Troops had fought at the battle of Lexington and Concord • Some important new faces appeared; • Benjamin Franklin of PA; John Hancock of MA • Thomas Jefferson of VA • At first, delegates were deeply divided. • Samuel Adams, John Adams, Patrick Henry, and Richard Henry Lee favored independence while moderates led by John Dickinson favored compromise

39. Second Continental Congress • 1775 – the Congress, led by Dickinson drafts the “Olive Branch Petition” which urges King George III to halt the fighting in order to attempt some kind of compromise. • Document expressed colonists loyalty and desire for compromise • November 1775 – King Refuses petition and fighting continues

40. Declaration of Independence • June, 1776, congress appoints a committee to draft a document explaining the reasons for separation • Members: Thomas Jefferson: VA planter and Lawyer John Adams: Boston Lawyer Roger Sherman: CT Judge Robert Livingston: NY, lawyer and son of wealthy NY family Benjamin Franklin: PA

41. Declaration of Independence • Committee chose Jefferson to draft the document • Jefferson’s ideas based on the Enlightenment, which emphasized science and reason as the key to improving society • Writing influenced by earlier political thinkers, the most notable being John Locke • Declaration itself was divided onto four parts.

42. Declaration of Independence • Four Sections: • Introduction – Jefferson explains the purpose of the declaration • Jefferson explains the political ideas on which the document is based. The belief is that people had “natural rights”, a notion important in the writings of John Locke. • These are rights that people have simply because they are human and not because a government gave these rights to them. Jefferson refers to these as “inalienable rights” that could never be taken away. These rights are “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”.

43. Declaration of Independence 2.Continued: according to Locke, people formed governments to protect their natural rights. If the government failed to act in the best interest of the people, then the people had the right to revolt and replace the government with a new one. 3. In the third section was a long list of “wrongs” the colonists had been delivered by the British King. For example, taxation without representation 4. The fourth and final section was titled “Resolution of Independence by the United States”…..”these United Colonies are… and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States.”

44. Declaration of Independence • Document adopted and ratified by the Congress on July 2, 1776 but it was read on July 4 to the public • Not everyone signed it at first… they did it later • Document defined the basic principles upon which American government and society would be based. • Citizens would have a voice in their own government.

45. RevolutionaryWar • Throughout the meetings of the Second Continental Congress and the drafting of the Declaration of Independence, there was still fighting as the war had already begun. The Siege of Boston • After Lexington and Concord, the British retreated to Boston and were surrounded by 20,000 patriots • British had about 6,000 troops in Boston. The patriot presence prevented them from being more mobile and crushing the rebellion

46. The Siege of Boston • Keeping the British in Boston was important to the colonial militia. Unfortunately they lacked ammunition and supplies. • In May, Colonial Militia under the command of colonel Ethan Allan crossed Lake Champlain and surprised the British Troops at Fort Ticonderoga, NY. • The Capture of Fort Ticonderoga helped the Patriots gain supplies and ammunition

47. Battle of Bunker Hill • June 1775, Americans occupied two hills north of Boston, Bunker Hill and Breed’s Hill • British attacked in their formal formations at Breed’s Hill first. They were repelled by the patriots and came again only to be repelled again • By the third attempt, the Americans had run out of ammunition and the British overtook the hill • The British then easily captured Bunker Hill which was defended in a far more weaker fashion. • Costly to British as they lost 1,100 out of 2,400 men. • Americans only lost 400 troops.

48. British Leave Boston • Gage wanted to leave Boston but Howe advised against it. Gage’s Army remained pinned down in Boston • Gage planned to invade Rhode Island and New York. • Washington arrived from Philadelphia where he had been named commanding general of the patriot forces by the continental congress. • Washington turned the militia groups into the Continental Army.

49. British leave Boston • January 1776 General Henry Knox brings patriot forces and the cannons that had been seized at Fort Ticonderoga. • Washington placed these guns on Dorchester Heights south of Boston. From there the patriots could shell Boston and Boston Harbor forcing the British to retreat to Canada. • They took 1,000 loyalists with them. Loyalists were colonists still loyal to the British throne who felt threatened if they stayed behind.

50. Strengths and Weaknesses British Strengths: • Well Equipped, well trained and organized army. • 50,000 loyalists who fought for British • African Americans fought with British as the British promised slaves if they fought they would be freed. • Native Americans fought for British, mostly Iroquois • British hired “mercenaries” – foreign troops paid to fight for them. Colonists referred to them as Hessians as most of these troops were German.