lecture 1: the american revolution as a constitutional struggle
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Lecture 1: The American Revolution as a Constitutional Struggle. French & Indian War (1755-1763). Background Expansion of British colonies King George’s War The Albany Conference. French & Indian War (1755-1763). Treaty of Paris, 1763 France depleted Spain British gains - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Lecture 1:The American Revolution
as a Constitutional Struggle
French & Indian War (1755-1763)
Background Expansion of British
colonies King George’s War
The Albany Conference
French & Indian War (1755-1763)
Treaty of Paris, 1763 France depleted Spain British gains Proclamation Line of
1763
French & Indian War (1755-1763)
Results: The colonies after the
warDepressionProclamation lineWartime experience
Unity among the colonies
The Road to War
British policy changes Standing army
SoldiersJobsColonies to pay
George Grenville’s actsSugar Act 1763Currency Act 1764
Stamp Act, 1765Reaction: riotsSons of LibertyRepealed
The Road to War
Heightened tension Declaratory Act Charles Townshend Townshend Acts 1769, Virginia
Resolutions Boston Massacre,
1770 Committee of
Correspondence
The Road to WarHeightened tension
Boston Tea Party, 1773 Coercive Acts
Continental Congress(es), 1774 & 1775Lexington & Concord, Apr. 14, 1775Thomas Paine, Common SenseDeclaration of Independence, Thomas
Jefferson, July 4, 1776
The Declaration of IndependenceWhen in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
The Declaration of IndependenceWe hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed…
The War for Independence
The Revolution for the Nation
“13 clocks striking in unison”Divisions between the states
Localism vs. Nationalism States vs. national govt. Large states vs. small Landed states vs. landless North vs. South
The Revolution for the Nation
Ties that unite the nation? Language?
Noah Webster
Territory? Communications? Religion? Traditions? Currency?
“What then is the American?” American mythology
Ideal of equalityIdeal of self-made manIdeal of “melting pot”“Rugged individualism”
We are united by great and frightening challenges
The Articles of Confederation
Powers of Congress: Wage war Foreign affairs Boundary disputes Indian affairs Post office
Powers it lacked: Raise troops Levy taxes
The Articles of ConfederationArticle 1:
“The United States of America”
Article 5: Freedom of speech
Article 4: National citizenship
Article 9: Unity of the colonies
Article 2: States’ rights
The Articles of ConfederationWeaknesses:
Single house in the legislature No separate judicial branch Could not impose taxes Changes require unanimous support Article 8: paying for war
The Articles of ConfederationThe situation becomes desperate:
We are bankrupt Taxation Money disputes
The Articles of ConfederationThe situation becomes desperate:
Shay’s Rebellion