Colonial Opposition to the Crown Overview: During the early 1700 s the British (English) Colonies in North America were simply a market place for the mother country; this economy is known as mercantilism. In the mid- 1700 s this began to change. Mother Country System of Mercantilism Finished Products sold to Colonies School House Rock: No More Kings (3 min) Raw Materials supplied to Mother Country American Colonies Events Leading Up To Revolution (5 min) Triangular Trade
Siege of Fort Detroit Pontiac 1. Chief Pontiac s united Native Americans go on the warpath (1763-1766) as a result of the peace obtained between France & England. RESA Causes of Am. Rev Part 1 (21 min) Battle of Bloody Run located on Jefferson near Belle Isle
George Grenville Parliament NO American Colonists are in either House acting as Representatives Virtual Representation External Taxes TAX: a law or act created by monarch (king/queen) or government to raise money for the nation. Vs. Am. Colonial Governments contain Representatives voted in by the colonists Direct Representation Internal Taxes 2. The Proclamation Line of 1763 is issued by King George III in an attempt to protect the colonists. He appoints George Grenville to the position of Prime Minister. In the English government known as Parliament this is the highest post. Grenville s task is to raise money to pay for England s increased debt from the war/s between England & France (British debt increased from 73 million - 137 million between the years 1754 & 1763). Grenville & the majority of people in Parliament believed in virtual representation.
REVENUE King George III, Grenville & Parliament considered this revenue to help pay for the 10,000 British Troops needed for protection in the colonies Colonists were opposed to this because they considered it unfair taxation on them George Grenville EXTERNAL TAXATION 3. Sugar Act (or Law) is passed in 1764 to make revenueor profit to pay off debt (know the difference between an external & internal tax). Molasses Act 1733 didn t work because of smugglers Why a Sugar Tax? The original tax of sixpence per gallon from the Molasses Act was cut in half, but the government fully intended to collect the three-pence duty The list of taxable items was expanded far beyond sugar specified wines and cloth, coffee, tropical foods and silk were now subject to importation duties American exports, notably iron and lumber, were subjected to close supervision; shippers were required to complete a cumbersome bonding procedure before loading their cargoes. The Sugar Act by Nicole Morger :-) The King George Song (3 min) King George III
Most American Colonists did not have money, gold, silver, etc. They relied on a barter system trading with rum and/or wampum for goods. Wampum 12d (12 pence) in a shilling 20s (20 shillings) in a pound Rum 4. CurrrencyAct of 1764 is passed to stop colonists from printing their own money.
5. Stamp Act Crisis of 1765: Grenville placed a tax on all printed or paper materials. In protest to this the colonists form the Stamp Act Congress. This was started in the Virginia House of Burgesses by one of its members Patrick Henry. Henry reused the phrase No taxation Without Representation to battle this perceived injustice. The Sons of Liberty (secret group) form in Boston and are later established throughout the colonies to protest this type of taxation. Grenville is replaced by Lord Rockingham as Prime Minister and in March of 1766 the Stamp Act is repealed. Patrick Henry Sam Adams & John Hancock: Leaders of the Sons of Liberty Tar & Feather: method used against tax collectors S. Adams STAMPS Hancock
Thomas Watson-Wentworth, 1st Marquess of Rockingham Charles Townshend Parliament had the right to make laws for the colonies "in all cases whatsoever". 6. Lord Rockingham takes over as Prime Minister and the Declaratory Act was imposed in 1766. 7. Lord Rockingham is replaced by a new Prime Minister William Pitt the 1st Earl of Chatham (also known as William Pitt the Elder. ). Pitt is considered by many colonists to be a very fair leader; BUT due to Pitt s frail health Charles Townshend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer (like a Secretary of the Treasury), is provided a great deal of influence over the command & taxation of the colonists. Burke eventually defends the colonists with speech On American Taxation? (1774) Political Parties in Parliament Tory Party Whig Party King s Party Oppositional Party Edmund Burke; Whig Party leader
8. Townshend Acts are imposed in 1767. These are taxes on items such as glass, lead, paper and tea. Taxes on the wealthy and on ALL. Townshend dies in September of 1767 and Lord North takes over as the new Chancellor of the Exchequer. In January of 1768 the King creates a new job titled Secretariat of the State this person, Lord Hillsborough, will be in charge of ALL the English Colonies. Pitt is opposed & resigns later in 1768. Taxes placed on items purchased by the wealthy: Glass & Paper Loyalist is a Tory Taxes placed on items purchased by ALL: Lead & Tea Patriot is a Whig Lord North Secretariat of the State: this new position made colonists very upset because this individual is given tremendous power. ONE Third Patriot; One Third Loyalist; ONE Third Neutral! Charles Townshend
Adams defended Preston and the British soldiers & won. Sam Adams John Adams MASSACRE? Capt. Thomas Preston 5 Colonists Died 3 died immediately including Crispus Attucks and 2 others died later from their wounds. 9. Pitt s replacement in 1768 as Prime Minister was the Third Duke of Grafton followed by Lord North in 1770 (Lord North holds the position from 1770-1782). During North s first few months as Prime Minister the Boston Massacre occurs in the Colonies on March 2, 1770. 10.In April of 1770 Lord North repeals the Townshend Acts.
11. GaspeeIncident occurs on June 9, 1772. The Gaspee, an English Schooner (Navy Vessel) had run aground off the coast of Rhode Island in pursuit of smugglers; that evening colonists burned it and injured the Captain. RESA Causes of Am. Rev. Part 2 (23 min)
Lord North In this British cartoon, sympathetic to the colonial cause, Prime Minister Lord North, backed by military law, pours tea down the throat of America (portrayed as a woman). A Frenchman and a Spaniard look on with glee, while Brittaniaweeps. This was engraved for Royal American Magazine. 12.June 13, 1772 it is announced that the Governors and Judges of the Superior Courts will be paid by the King with revenue money; not paid by the colonists. 13.November 2, 1772 Boston creates a Committee of Correspondence (revival of the Sons of Liberty) which in turn spreads to the other Colonies. 14.December 16, 1773 Lord North imposed the Tea Act. Tax placed on ALL tea EXCEPT for the tea from the East India Tea Company. Committees of Correspondences worked toward organizing collective action or BOYCOTTS of British items, goods, laws & taxes The British East India Tea Company was partially owned by the Crown/Government the purpose of structuring the Tea Act was for this company to under-sell ALL other Tea Company s prices in the colonies...
The Tea Party: Well Organized Non-Violent Protest ONLY Tea Destroyed Cleaned-up? Protesters Disguised Sons of Liberty RESA Road to Revolution (14 min) 15. December 16, 1773 the Sons of Liberty organize a protest against the Tea Tax; known as the Boston Tea Party. Dump East India Tea Company merchandise into the Boston Harbor. This was a well organized, non-violent form of protest.
Shut down the port in Boston; NO SHIPS COULD COME OR GO! The Colonial Government of Massachusetts was disbanded or NOT allowed to meet any longer! British troops were granted an automatic Writ of Assistance or the ability to enter anyone s home to search and seize property that could lead to a conviction! 16.In retaliation to the Boston Tea Party Lord North took drastic action against the colonists in Boston. The passing of the Coercive (Intolerable) Acts occur in 1774. A. March 1774 Boston Port Bill becomes law. B. May 1774 Massachusetts Government Bill becomes law. C. June 1774 Quartering Act becomes law. Quebec Act is considered by some to be one of the Intolerable Acts it limited travel by colonists into other territories & allowed for the practice of the Catholic Faith in the Ohio Territory 17.June 22, 1774 the Quebec Act becomes law which restricts colonial travel. 18.First Continental Congress is formed in September of 1774 (Georgia). Results of the Congress: o Boycott British Goods o Declaration of Rights & Grievances o Meet again in Spring of 1775
Concord Route of British Troops Lexington Ride of Revere Movie (10 min) Boston 19.War Begins British general Thomas Gage in Boston is given orders to bring to justice the leaders of the Sons of Liberty (Samuel Adams & John Hancock) and suppress any further colonial uprisings; as a result the colonists prepare to resist (Paul Revere): A. Battle at Lexington (April 19, 1775) 8 colonists are killed in the exchange of gun fire. Old North Bridge School House Rock: The Shot Heard Around the World B. Battle of Concord (April 20, 1775) heavy British casualties due to the colonists hide & shoot tactics; force the British to retreat back to Boston. British Troops at the Battle of Concord Paul Revere William Dawes? General Thomas Gage