Unit VI: The American Unit VI: The American RevolutionRevolution

British territory following the French and Indian War

Once the war ended the colonists Once the war ended the colonists had gained experience and had gained experience and confidence and no longer viewed confidence and no longer viewed the British as an undefeatable the British as an undefeatable army. army.

Contempt developed between the Contempt developed between the British soldiers and the colonists as British soldiers and the colonists as the soldiers looked upon the militias the soldiers looked upon the militias as inferior and cowardly. The as inferior and cowardly. The colonists viewed themselves as the colonists viewed themselves as the new age of British civilization for new age of British civilization for colonizing a New World.colonizing a New World.

The colonists had also for the The colonists had also for the first time united themselves first time united themselves against a common cause and against a common cause and won. Though hostilities still won. Though hostilities still remained between the colonists, remained between the colonists, the heavy burden of taxation the heavy burden of taxation enforced by the English enforced by the English Parliament would unite them Parliament would unite them once again. once again.

With the Ohio valley firmly in the hands With the Ohio valley firmly in the hands of the English the colonists quickly moved of the English the colonists quickly moved to settle the new lands. to settle the new lands.

The loss of the French also affected The loss of the French also affected the Indian tribes as they lost the the Indian tribes as they lost the ability to play one power off of ability to play one power off of another. This would cause the another. This would cause the Ottawa Indians led by Chief Pontiac Ottawa Indians led by Chief Pontiac to attack the colonial settlers in to attack the colonial settlers in 1763. He united several tribes and 1763. He united several tribes and began destroying the British forts in began destroying the British forts in the valley. the valley.

The British responded with The British responded with counterattacks and biological counterattacks and biological warfare by giving the Indians warfare by giving the Indians blankets infected with smallpox. blankets infected with smallpox. In 1769 Pontiac died at the hands In 1769 Pontiac died at the hands of a rival chief.of a rival chief.

The rebellion though convinced The rebellion though convinced the British of their need to the British of their need to stabilize relations with the Indian stabilize relations with the Indian tribes of the valley. As settlement tribes of the valley. As settlement began to increase Britain issued began to increase Britain issued the the Proclamation of 1763Proclamation of 1763 prohibiting settlement West of prohibiting settlement West of the Appalachian Mountains in an the Appalachian Mountains in an attempt to end hostilities with attempt to end hostilities with the Indians.the Indians.

Over the course of settlement the Over the course of settlement the colonists had developed differently than colonists had developed differently than the English mainland. They began to the English mainland. They began to believe in republicanism, the idea that believe in republicanism, the idea that citizens willingly gave up their private citizens willingly gave up their private interest for common good. interest for common good.

Another idea that shaped the colonists Another idea that shaped the colonists came from the "Radical Whigs" of came from the "Radical Whigs" of England who feared the power of the England who feared the power of the monarch and warned citizens to be monarch and warned citizens to be ready for corruption and the destruction ready for corruption and the destruction of their liberties.of their liberties.

There was also an argument over There was also an argument over virtualvirtual versus versus actual actual representationrepresentation. The colonists . The colonists believed they should be believed they should be represented by their own within represented by their own within parliament. parliament.

The use of mercantilism in the The use of mercantilism in the colonies increased after the war colonies increased after the war as well. The British increased as well. The British increased exploitation of the colonies exploitation of the colonies draining all of the gold and draining all of the gold and silver they could out of the silver they could out of the colonies forcing them to barter colonies forcing them to barter goods. This forced the colonists goods. This forced the colonists to resort to trading paper to resort to trading paper currency, which quickly currency, which quickly depreciated. depreciated.

In 1764 the British parliament issued In 1764 the British parliament issued the Currency Act, which banned the Currency Act, which banned colonial paper money used for trade. colonial paper money used for trade. The British officials felt they were The British officials felt they were losing money because paper money losing money because paper money had constantly changing values.had constantly changing values.

The British also issued Writs of The British also issued Writs of Assistance, which allowed officers to Assistance, which allowed officers to board ships and confiscate goods not board ships and confiscate goods not taxed. taxed.

When the new British Prime When the new British Prime Minister George Grenville came Minister George Grenville came to power he had to find a way to to power he had to find a way to pay for the war. He felt the pay for the war. He felt the colonists should bear the colonists should bear the burden of the debt and enacted burden of the debt and enacted laws to tax the colonists. laws to tax the colonists.

In 1764 British Parliament passed the In 1764 British Parliament passed the Sugar Act revising custom duties. Sugar Act revising custom duties. New duties were placed on some New duties were placed on some foreign imports and smuggling was foreign imports and smuggling was cracked down on. The act was cracked down on. The act was designed to raise revenue rather designed to raise revenue rather than funnel trade through Britain. than funnel trade through Britain.

In 1765 Parliament passed the In 1765 Parliament passed the Quartering act requiring colonists Quartering act requiring colonists help pay for food and shelter of the help pay for food and shelter of the British soldiers. British soldiers.

Colonial protest of the Sugar Act

The most despised act passed by The most despised act passed by Parliament under Grenville was the Parliament under Grenville was the Stamp Act passed in 1765. The act Stamp Act passed in 1765. The act required the stamping of paper required the stamping of paper certifying payment of the tax. The certifying payment of the tax. The tax hit the merchants and elite tax hit the merchants and elite classes the worst as they used the classes the worst as they used the most paper. most paper.

Grenville passed the tax in order to Grenville passed the tax in order to raise a new army in the colonies. raise a new army in the colonies.

Offenders of the Stamp Act were Offenders of the Stamp Act were tried in admiralty courts where tried in admiralty courts where juries were not allowed. The juries were not allowed. The colonists also argued as to the colonists also argued as to the necessity of a new military force necessity of a new military force if the French had been defeated. if the French had been defeated.

Colonial response to the Stamp Act Colonial response to the Stamp Act took various forms. In Virginia, took various forms. In Virginia, Patrick Henry, a member of the Patrick Henry, a member of the legislature wrote the Virginia Stamp legislature wrote the Virginia Stamp Act Resolves. Once passed the Act Resolves. Once passed the resolves stated that the colonists resolves stated that the colonists had never given up their rights as had never given up their rights as British subjects including the right to British subjects including the right to consent of taxation. In New York the consent of taxation. In New York the Stamp Act Congress was formed in Stamp Act Congress was formed in 1765. 1765.

• The Congress consisted of The Congress consisted of twenty-seven delegates from twenty-seven delegates from nine colonies. They drew up the nine colonies. They drew up the Stamp Act Resolves asking the Stamp Act Resolves asking the king and Parliament to repeal king and Parliament to repeal the tax. Though the congress the tax. Though the congress was ignored it unified the was ignored it unified the colonies once again.colonies once again.

The most effective weapon of the The most effective weapon of the colonists against the acts were the colonists against the acts were the growing non-importation growing non-importation agreements against British goods. agreements against British goods. This brought people from all classes This brought people from all classes of society together. Enforcement of of society together. Enforcement of the non-importation agreements the non-importation agreements came from the came from the "Sons and "Sons and Daughters of Liberty"Daughters of Liberty" who often who often tarred and feathered violators and tarred and feathered violators and tax collectors.tax collectors.

On the day when the act was to On the day when the act was to go into effect the stamp go into effect the stamp collectors refused to do their jobs collectors refused to do their jobs out of fear. The English out of fear. The English merchants suffered heavily from merchants suffered heavily from the non-importation agreements the non-importation agreements and demanded Parliament repeal and demanded Parliament repeal the hated act.the hated act.

In 1766 Parliament repealed the In 1766 Parliament repealed the Stamp Act but passed the Stamp Act but passed the Declaratory Act went which Declaratory Act went which unnoticed in the colonies. This unnoticed in the colonies. This new act affirmed Parliament right new act affirmed Parliament right to "bind" the colonies "in all to "bind" the colonies "in all cases whatsoever." Parliament cases whatsoever." Parliament would not yield to the colonists would not yield to the colonists and the colonists would not give and the colonists would not give up their demands for a measure up their demands for a measure of sovereignty. of sovereignty.

In 1766 William Pitt stepped down as In 1766 William Pitt stepped down as Sec. of State and was replaced by Sec. of State and was replaced by Charles Townshend. He persuaded Charles Townshend. He persuaded Parliament to pass the Townshend Parliament to pass the Townshend Acts further taxing the colonists in Acts further taxing the colonists in 1767. The acts placed an import duty 1767. The acts placed an import duty on trade goods such as glass, paint, on trade goods such as glass, paint, tea, and paper; he justified this tea, and paper; he justified this because the tax applied to items because the tax applied to items imported from Britain and were not imported from Britain and were not directly taxing the colonists. directly taxing the colonists.

The money raised by the taxes The money raised by the taxes would be used to pay for the would be used to pay for the salaries of royal officials. This took salaries of royal officials. This took the power of paying royal colony the power of paying royal colony officials out of the hands of the officials out of the hands of the colonial legislatures thus ending colonial legislatures thus ending their ability to control them. their ability to control them. Parliament then suspended the Parliament then suspended the legislature of New York for failing to legislature of New York for failing to comply with the Quartering Act.comply with the Quartering Act.

Many essays were written in protest Many essays were written in protest to the Townshend Acts but John to the Townshend Acts but John Dickinson's Dickinson's Letters from a Farmer in Letters from a Farmer in PennsylvaniaPennsylvania best expressed colonial best expressed colonial feelings. Parliament could regulate feelings. Parliament could regulate colonial trade but not use that power colonial trade but not use that power to raise revenue. Non-importation to raise revenue. Non-importation agreements were quickly re-enacted agreements were quickly re-enacted but were less effective as many but were less effective as many people smuggled tea into the people smuggled tea into the colonies at a cheap price.colonies at a cheap price.

On the 5th of March 1770 a crowd of On the 5th of March 1770 a crowd of colonists in Boston began berating colonists in Boston began berating about ten British soldiers. Several of the about ten British soldiers. Several of the soldiers were hit with rocks covered in soldiers were hit with rocks covered in snow and opened fire on the citizens snow and opened fire on the citizens killing and wounding eleven. In the killing and wounding eleven. In the subsequent trial John Adams defended subsequent trial John Adams defended the soldiers, all but two were acquitted. the soldiers, all but two were acquitted. The local newspapers immediately The local newspapers immediately branded the incident as a massacre branded the incident as a massacre causing colonial anger towards the causing colonial anger towards the British soldiers and putting the colonists British soldiers and putting the colonists one step closer towards revolution one step closer towards revolution

In 1772 the Massachusetts In 1772 the Massachusetts Assembly under the leadership of Assembly under the leadership of Samuel Adams called for colonial Samuel Adams called for colonial unity and circulated Committees of unity and circulated Committees of Correspondence. These committees Correspondence. These committees circulated letters throughout the circulated letters throughout the towns calling for resistance to the towns calling for resistance to the British. In 1773 The Virginia House British. In 1773 The Virginia House of Burgesses created a standing of Burgesses created a standing committee that would correspond committee that would correspond with other colonial assemblies. with other colonial assemblies.

As colonial pressure began to build As colonial pressure began to build Lord North was made British Prime Lord North was made British Prime Minister. He repealed the Minister. He repealed the Townshend Acts but left the tax on Townshend Acts but left the tax on tea. In May of 1773 Parliament tea. In May of 1773 Parliament passed the Tea Act to save the East passed the Tea Act to save the East India Company. The act made the India Company. The act made the East India Company's tea the only East India Company's tea the only legal tea in America and allowed legal tea in America and allowed them to sell directly to the colonies.them to sell directly to the colonies.

This would allow the company to This would allow the company to sell the tea at extremely low sell the tea at extremely low prices but the colonists feared prices but the colonists feared the creation of the monopoly. As the creation of the monopoly. As the company's tea began arriving the company's tea began arriving in Boston Harbor on December in Boston Harbor on December 16th several colonists dressed as 16th several colonists dressed as Mohawk Indians boarded the ship Mohawk Indians boarded the ship and dumped 342 chests of tea and dumped 342 chests of tea into the water. into the water.

Parliament responded quickly to the Parliament responded quickly to the Boston Tea Party by passing the Boston Tea Party by passing the Coercive Acts (Intolerable Acts) in Coercive Acts (Intolerable Acts) in 1774. 1774.

1.1. Boston Port Act - the port of Boston Boston Port Act - the port of Boston was closed down until the tea was was closed down until the tea was paid in full, around 10,000 British paid in full, around 10,000 British pounds. The act was enforced by pounds. The act was enforced by Gen. Thomas Gage. Gen. Thomas Gage.

2.2. Government Act - Annulled what Government Act - Annulled what was left of the Massachusetts was left of the Massachusetts Charter and destroyed the colonial Charter and destroyed the colonial legislature. legislature.

3.3. Second Quartering Act - Forced the Second Quartering Act - Forced the colonial assemblies to either build colonial assemblies to either build barracks or have citizens house barracks or have citizens house soldiers themselves.soldiers themselves.

4.4. Administration of Justice Act - Administration of Justice Act - Soldiers who killed colonists were Soldiers who killed colonists were tried in British courts. tried in British courts.

Also in 1774 the Quebec Act Also in 1774 the Quebec Act was passed allowing the French was passed allowing the French to practice Catholicism without to practice Catholicism without persecution and extended the persecution and extended the boundaries of Quebec south to boundaries of Quebec south to the Ohio River. This infuriated the Ohio River. This infuriated colonists who thought that land colonists who thought that land was rightfully theirs.was rightfully theirs.

In September of 1774 the In September of 1774 the colonies sent delegates to colonies sent delegates to Philadelphia for a Continental Philadelphia for a Continental Congress. The Congress Congress. The Congress established three goals: established three goals:

1.1. To define American grievancesTo define American grievances

2.2. To develop a resistance plan To develop a resistance plan

3.3. To define their constitutional To define their constitutional relationship with Britain. relationship with Britain.

John Adams took the lead role at the John Adams took the lead role at the Congress; he called obeying Congress; he called obeying Parliament only when they thought it Parliament only when they thought it was in the best interest of both was in the best interest of both countries. They called for the repeal countries. They called for the repeal of the Coercive Acts and created the of the Coercive Acts and created the Continental Association. The Continental Association. The Association called for a complete Association called for a complete boycott of British goods. Parliament boycott of British goods. Parliament though rejected the colonial though rejected the colonial grievances and the colonies began grievances and the colonies began preparing for the worst. preparing for the worst.

The Revolution The Revolution BeginsBegins

On April 19, 1775 General On April 19, 1775 General Thomas Gage sent a small force Thomas Gage sent a small force to confiscate colonial military to confiscate colonial military supplies at Concord and supplies at Concord and Lexington. They were also to Lexington. They were also to arrest Samuel Adams and John arrest Samuel Adams and John Hancock. The midnight riders Hancock. The midnight riders alerted the colonial militiamen alerted the colonial militiamen known as "minutemen," who known as "minutemen," who gathered at Lexington to face gathered at Lexington to face the British.the British.

The militia refused to disperse The militia refused to disperse and shots were fired killing eight and shots were fired killing eight colonists. The British pushed on colonists. The British pushed on to Concord where they forced to to Concord where they forced to retreat and ambushed all along retreat and ambushed all along the road, back to Boston. The the road, back to Boston. The colonists inflicted over 300 colonists inflicted over 300 injuries on the British. injuries on the British.

The British boasted several The British boasted several advantages on the eve of war. They advantages on the eve of war. They had a superior population, naval had a superior population, naval and monetary advantage. and monetary advantage.

Their professionally trained army Their professionally trained army had over 50,000 troops. George III had over 50,000 troops. George III also hired 30,000 German also hired 30,000 German mercenaries. mercenaries.

These British advantages were These British advantages were overshadowed though as the British overshadowed though as the British forces were spread thin defending forces were spread thin defending different parts of the empire. The different parts of the empire. The British citizens had no desire to British citizens had no desire to fight the colonists. fight the colonists.

In America the British had In America the British had several problems to deal with. several problems to deal with. Provisions were scarce as supply Provisions were scarce as supply lines stretched across the lines stretched across the Atlantic Ocean. Orders issued Atlantic Ocean. Orders issued from London would be useless from London would be useless once they had reached the once they had reached the colonies. Finally the British had colonies. Finally the British had to deal with the geographical to deal with the geographical area of the colonies that area of the colonies that stretched for 1,000 miles. stretched for 1,000 miles.

The colonists possessed The colonists possessed leadership and foreign aid. leadership and foreign aid.

They also had the support of the They also had the support of the French who were more than French who were more than ready to see the British lose ready to see the British lose their empire. their empire.

The colonists were fighting on The colonists were fighting on the defensive, which allowed the defensive, which allowed them to dig in and force the them to dig in and force the British to attack and defeat British to attack and defeat them.them.

Despite quality leadership the Despite quality leadership the colonial armies were badly colonial armies were badly trained and organized. They still trained and organized. They still suffered from the lack of unity suffered from the lack of unity and the attempts of individuals to and the attempts of individuals to gain their own power. gain their own power.

Money of course was virtually Money of course was virtually worthless and inflation worthless and inflation skyrocketed. skyrocketed.

On May 10, 1775 the Second On May 10, 1775 the Second Continental Congress convened Continental Congress convened with representatives from all with representatives from all thirteen colonies. The congress thirteen colonies. The congress selected George Washington to lead selected George Washington to lead the Continental Army and aid the the Continental Army and aid the troops attack the British in Boston. troops attack the British in Boston.

Washington's selection was very Washington's selection was very much a political one done to much a political one done to appease the middle and southern appease the middle and southern colonies who had become colonies who had become distrustful of the New England distrustful of the New England colonies.colonies.

The colonies also sent the Olive The colonies also sent the Olive Branch Petition, one last appeal Branch Petition, one last appeal to George III. The country was to George III. The country was divided between Patriots and divided between Patriots and Loyalists.Loyalists.

During the meetings of the During the meetings of the Second Continental Congress Second Continental Congress Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold led a small force known as the led a small force known as the Green Mountain Boys into Green Mountain Boys into Northern New York and Northern New York and captured Fort Ticonderoga. The captured Fort Ticonderoga. The supplies taken from the fort supplies taken from the fort would be used to siege Boston. would be used to siege Boston.

In June the colonists seized In June the colonists seized Breed's Hill (Bunker Hill) where Breed's Hill (Bunker Hill) where they could attack the British they could attack the British inside Boston. The British inside Boston. The British attacked the hill from the front attacked the hill from the front with 3,000 troops. The colonist with 3,000 troops. The colonist repelled wave after wave of repelled wave after wave of British until they ran out of British until they ran out of ammunition and retreated.ammunition and retreated.

In the fall of 1775 the Americans In the fall of 1775 the Americans under Benedict Arnold invaded under Benedict Arnold invaded Quebec in an effort to incite the Quebec in an effort to incite the French to rebel as well. The French to rebel as well. The invasion failed as the French-invasion failed as the French-Canadians refused to rebel. In Canadians refused to rebel. In January 1776 the British were January 1776 the British were finally forced to evacuate finally forced to evacuate Boston and loyalists lost battles Boston and loyalists lost battles in the South. in the South.

Also in January Thomas Paine Also in January Thomas Paine published published Common SenseCommon Sense, in which , in which he stated the common sense of the he stated the common sense of the colonies declaring independence. colonies declaring independence. Paine’s argument centered on the Paine’s argument centered on the belief that the colonists believed belief that the colonists believed parliament to be the main problem in parliament to be the main problem in the erosion of their rights. It was this the erosion of their rights. It was this factor which prevented the colonists factor which prevented the colonists from considering independence. from considering independence.

He argued that the government He argued that the government was a necessary evil due to the was a necessary evil due to the inherent evil of man and that inherent evil of man and that government served to protect government served to protect the freedoms of man. From that the freedoms of man. From that standpoint Paine did not believe standpoint Paine did not believe that a monarchy protected the that a monarchy protected the freedoms of the state. freedoms of the state.

The arguments that Paine put forth The arguments that Paine put forth had the effect of turning a population had the effect of turning a population which was not generally effected by which was not generally effected by the British taxation measures into the British taxation measures into some of the strongest supports of some of the strongest supports of independence. The book had an independence. The book had an impact on all classes of society and impact on all classes of society and colonies began to write their own colonies began to write their own state constitutions. state constitutions.

On June 7, 1776 Richard Henry On June 7, 1776 Richard Henry Lee introduced a motion to Lee introduced a motion to declare independence. The vote declare independence. The vote was delayed until July while a was delayed until July while a committee drafted a committee drafted a declaration. On July 4, 1776 the declaration. On July 4, 1776 the Declaration of Independence, Declaration of Independence, written by Thomas Jefferson, written by Thomas Jefferson, was issued. was issued.

The document stated three main The document stated three main purposes: to secure foreign purposes: to secure foreign alliances, inform the colonists of alliances, inform the colonists of the crown's actions and take the crown's actions and take away all colonial feelings towards away all colonial feelings towards England. Jefferson took some England. Jefferson took some liberties in claiming what the liberties in claiming what the British had done. British had done.

During the early battles of the war During the early battles of the war Washington fought cautiously Washington fought cautiously retreating from the field of battle retreating from the field of battle before the British could destroy his before the British could destroy his forces. In December of 1776 forces. In December of 1776 Washington crossed the Delaware Washington crossed the Delaware River under the cover of darkness. River under the cover of darkness. On December 26, 1776 Washington On December 26, 1776 Washington re-crossed the Delaware and won re-crossed the Delaware and won easy victories at Trenton and easy victories at Trenton and Princeton in January. Princeton in January.

Washington crosses the Delaware River

The British strategy had been to The British strategy had been to divide the colonies along the divide the colonies along the Hudson River but Washington's Hudson River but Washington's victories made this impossible. victories made this impossible. Then in October of 1777 the Then in October of 1777 the British suffered a major defeat British suffered a major defeat to the Americans under General to the Americans under General Horatio Gates at Saratoga, in Horatio Gates at Saratoga, in New York. New York.

The battle proved to decisive as The battle proved to decisive as the French entered the war on the French entered the war on the American side. The Spanish the American side. The Spanish and Dutch also declare war on and Dutch also declare war on the British stretching their forces the British stretching their forces across the World. across the World.

After the defeat at Saratoga the After the defeat at Saratoga the British changed turned British changed turned Southward where they hoped to Southward where they hoped to get Loyalist support and get Loyalist support and supplies from the West Indies. supplies from the West Indies. British scored early victories at British scored early victories at Charleston and Savannah under Charleston and Savannah under General Cornwallis and begin to General Cornwallis and begin to push northward.push northward.

Cornwallis was besieged Cornwallis was besieged constantly by southern forces constantly by southern forces using guerrilla warfare. using guerrilla warfare. Cornwallis followed the American Cornwallis followed the American armies losing at King's Mountain armies losing at King's Mountain and Cowpens. Cornwallis then and Cowpens. Cornwallis then retreated to Yorktown to await retreated to Yorktown to await much needed supplies.much needed supplies.

Battle of Cowpens

Washington sensing the Washington sensing the opportunity moved his forces opportunity moved his forces southward and cornered the southward and cornered the British with help from the French British with help from the French navy. On October 19, 1781 navy. On October 19, 1781 Cornwallis surrendered his army Cornwallis surrendered his army of seven thousand men.of seven thousand men.

In March of 1782 the ministry of In March of 1782 the ministry of Lord North collapsed bringing a Lord North collapsed bringing a Whig ministry favorable to the Whig ministry favorable to the Americans into power. The Americans into power. The Americans had sent three delegates Americans had sent three delegates to Paris to broker a peace with the to Paris to broker a peace with the British. Ben Franklin, John Jay and British. Ben Franklin, John Jay and John Adams were given instructions John Adams were given instructions not to make a separate peace and not to make a separate peace and consult with the French at all times.consult with the French at all times.

The American delegates The American delegates disobeyed orders and did not disobeyed orders and did not consult with the French who they consult with the French who they feared would protect their ties feared would protect their ties with Spain other those with with Spain other those with America. John Jay secretly sent America. John Jay secretly sent messages to Britain for a peace messages to Britain for a peace treaty. treaty.

The British jumped at the chance to break The British jumped at the chance to break the French and American alliance. On the French and American alliance. On September 3, 1783 the Treaty of Paris September 3, 1783 the Treaty of Paris was signed. The terms of the treaty were was signed. The terms of the treaty were American independence, Florida was American independence, Florida was returned to Spain, the American returned to Spain, the American boundary was set at the Mississippi and boundary was set at the Mississippi and the Great Lakes in the north. Finally the the Great Lakes in the north. Finally the Loyalists were to no longer be persecuted Loyalists were to no longer be persecuted and Congress was to recommend to state and Congress was to recommend to state legislatures that confiscated loyalists legislatures that confiscated loyalists property be returned.property be returned.