THE ROAD TO REVOLUTION U.S. History – C. Corning.

THE ROAD TO REVOLUTION

U.S. History – C. Corning

What do you know about Revolutions? On your sticky note – give a definition for

a revolution and list all the revolutions that you know. If you can, list at least one reason for each revolution you mentioned.

Revolution

What is it?

1.an overthrow or repudiation and the thorough replacement of an established government or political system by the people governed.

2.Sociology . a radical and pervasive change in society  and the

social structure, esp. one made suddenly and often accompanied by violence. Ex: social evolution.

3.a sudden, complete or marked change in something: the present revolution in church architecture.

Theories about American Revolution1. The Revolution was truly radical in its

ideological quest for liberty and in the social and economic changes it brought.

2. Simple economic and material interests, led by the colonists’ desire to control their own economy, propelled the Revolution.

3. Both ideology and material interests inspired the American Revolution and that the relationship between the two influenced the events that occurred.

Argument #1: Radical Break1. The establishment of representative

government in the new United States and the expansion of voting rights.

2. The political changes that resulted from the new republican form of government, including the concept of Federalism, a written constitution and the delicate balance between the rights of the state and those of the individual.

3. Colonists spurred by their study of the ideas of the Enlightenment and their dislike of British rule.

Argument #2: Maintain Status Quo1. Some of the colonists’ most important

motives for seeking independence were based on economic self-interest, including their desire to escape British taxes and British control of trade.

2. The colonists sought to maintain the same social structure that existed under British rule, which included patronage and a devotion to patriarchal authority.

3. The status of women and African slaves remained unchanged after the Revolution.

Assignment: Examine the Arguments On our class blog there is a posting

labeled “Opposing View American Revolution ”

Click on each and write a summary of each argument for the causes of the American Revolution – whatever not completed in class will be homework. Be prepared to share you summaries in our next class.

Events Leading to the Revolution Effects of the Seven Years’ War Questions: How were the colonies different after the

French and Indian War? How did the FIWar lead to tensions between

the colonists and the British government? How did British policies involving the

colonies change? Map: Before and After http://www.worldmapsonline.com/UnivHist/300

32_6.gif http://www.unc.edu/wrc/maps/10-Map.png

Events Leading to the Revolution English imperial policies and the

Colonists’ reactions. Using your textbook and additional

resources (handouts, internet sites) – research the British actions (think – “Acts”) and the colonial reactions. Devise a graphic organizer or outline to reflect what you have learned.

Benjamin Franklin - 1754

http://www.earlyamerica.com/earlyamerica/firsts/cartoon/snake.html

SEE / THINK / WONDER Question: What was Franklin’s purpose

in creating this cartoon? Why do you think it was used again during the American Revolution?

Proclamation of 1763

The British government passed the Proclamation of 1763 to reduce conflicts with Native Americans All settlement west of the Appalachians were

banned Establishment of Proclamation Line (see map)

which colonists were not to cross Problem: British could not enforce it Outcome: Colonists began to feel that the

British government neither understood or cared about colonial interests

Britain’s Financial Crisis

Due to French and Indian War, the British gov’t passed a series of new laws that further angered and alienated the colonists: Existing tension between the colony of Mass.

and British gov’t angered merchants 10,000 troops stationed in N America to control

Native American and former French colonists. American colonists did not like the standing army –

concerned that it might be used against them Troops were expensive – added to existing debt

Sugar Act 1764

King George appoints new Prime Minister – George Greenville PM thought the American colonists were

smuggling goods into N America 1764 – PM passed the Sugar Act – 3 provisions:1. Reduced the duty on foreign-made molasses2. Placed duties on certain imports3. Strengthened the enforcement of the law

allowing prosecutors to try smuggling cases in the vice-admiralty court rather than colonial courts

Stamp Act – March 1765

To reduce the debt from the French and Indian War, the British Parliament looked at the financial resources of the colony. PM Greenville passed the Stamp Act in

1765 – it required colonists to purchase special stamped paper for every legal document, license, newspaper, pamphlet, almanac, playing cards and dice.

Colonists who broke the law would be tried in the vice admiralty courts.

Colonists Reaction The colonists were outraged by the Stamp Act –

Boston shopkeepers, artisans and laborers organized a secret resistance group “Sons of Liberty” Samuel Adams – prominent leader Sons of Liberty were harassing customs

workers, stamp agents and even the royal governors Terrorists or patriots? One man’s patriot is often

another man’s terrorist. Virginia assembly passed a law that Virginians

could only be taxed by the VA legislature – other colonies passed similar resolutions

Declaratory Act – March 1766

Declaration of Rights and Grievances – Oct 1765: Parliament could not impose taxes because colonists were not represented in Parliament

Merchants refused to import British goods until act repealed – boycott (add to Key Concepts list)

March 1766 – Parliament repeals the Stamp Act but passes the Declaratory Act which asserts Parliament’s full right to make whatever laws concerning the colonies

Townshend Acts - 1767

Charles Townshend – Chancellor of the Exchequer – had a new idea to raise revenue from American colonies

Townshend Acts (1767) – indirect tax on all imported goods, taxed as products were leaving Britain, glass, lead, paper and TEA! (History of the World in Six Glasses – beer, wine, liquor, coffee, tea and Coke)

Colonists reacted with well-organized protests Taxation without representation Boycott of British goods Colonists using/buying colonial produced goods,

“homespun”

Tensions Increase

1768 - 2,000 Redcoats stationed in Boston March 1770 – Boston Massacre – “British attack on

defenseless citizens” 1772 – King orders suspects in the burning of a ship

to be brought to Britain for trial 1773 - The Massachusetts and Virginian assemblies

establish committees of correspondence to communicate with other colonies about British actions and threats to liberty

Dec 1773 – Boston Tea Party – reaction to Tea Act which allowed British to sell tea at lower prices that colonial merchants Colonists dressed up as Native Americans – dumped 18,000

lbs.

Intolerable Acts - 1774

King George III pushed Parliament to punish the colonies.

1774 – Parliament passed the Intolerable Acts:

1. Shut down Boston Harbor

2. Quartering Act – soldiers billeted to private homes Also Boston under martial law (Key Concepts) Colonial reaction: Sept 1774 -First Continental

Congress – 56 delegates meet in Philadelphia and draw up declaration of colonial rights, defended the colonies’ right to run their own affairs, support for the colony of Mass AND stated that if the British use force, the colonies should fight back. Reconvene in March 1775 if demands not met.

Lexington and Concord: Shot Heard Around the World After the First Continental Congress, New England

towns began stockpiling guns and arming Minutemen (Identifications)

British wanted to capture these stockpiles and John Hancock and Samuel Adams

April 1775 – Paul Revere makes his famous ride to warn Hancock, Adams and the townspeople – “The Regulars are coming”

Next morning – British commander ordered the minutemen to leave Lexington – someone fired (big historical Q) and the British started firing. British then marched to Concord and then onto Boston – on the road they encounter the minutemen who attack from behind stone walls and trees (Native American style). British troops severely hurt.

Second Continental Congress Delegates meet in May 1775 in Philadelphia to

debate next move – not all colonists wanted to rebel, or revolt, against Britain.

John Adams (Mass) suggested a radical plan – each colony set up its own gov’t, that the Congress declare the colonies independent of Britain and minutemen be formed into Continental Army John Dickinson (Penn) disagreed with the call for revolt

Congress created Cont. Army and named George Washington as it General, authorized the printing of money to pay the troops and created a committee to establish relations with foreign nations (WHY?).

Events Leading to Declaration of Independence Battle of Bunker Hill – June 1775 – 450 colonists dead, 1,000

casualties for the British – deadliest battle of the war Second Continental Congress was juggling two balls at once

– hoping for peace and preparing for war. July 1775 – Olive Branch Petition – Congress sent it to the

King requesting a return to “the former harmony” King rejected it and issued a proclamation that the

colonies were in rebellion and urged a naval blockade of the American coast

1775 – Common Sense – Thomas Paine – attacked King George III Time had come for colonists to proclaim an independent

republic, that this independence was America’s “destiny”, and that Americans had the chance to create a better society – one free from tyranny and with eaual social and economic opportunities for all.

Declaration of Independence Summer 1776 – North Carolina declared itself independent

and a majority of Virginians wished to do the same. The Congress urged each colony to form is own gov’t June 1776 – Richard Henry Lee (VA) – “these United

Colonies are, and of a right ought to be, free and independent States.”

Congress appointed a committee to prepare a formal declaration explaining the reasons for the colonies’ actions – Thomas Jefferson drew on the concepts of:

1. Locke’s “natural rights” (life, liberty and property)

2. Gov’ts derive their just powers from the consent of the governed

3. All men are created equal - ?? July 2 Delegates voted unanimously, July 4 formal adoption

of Declaration of Independence.

Loyalists vs. Patriots

Why would some colonists choose to remain loyal to the crown?

American Revolution (1776 – 1781) After a series of setbacks, the Amer. forces won at Saratoga

(Oct 1777) and turned the tide of the war. British changed strategy and kept their troops along the

coast, close to their big guns and supply bases of the British fleet.

Military Strengths/Weaknesses – pg 115 French Alliance 1778 – recognize independence and provides

funds Issues of inflation, profiteering (Key Concepts) Strategic victories in the South and at Yorktown (Oct 1781)

helped the Americans defeat the British. Sept 1783 – delegates from Congress sign Treaty of Paris which

confirmed U.S. independence and set the boundaries of the new nation.

Problem with Treaty: no attempt to protect land interests of Native Amer., did not specify when British had to leave forts, British creditors could collect on debts owed to them.