Guided Notes 3: The American Colonies and Great Britain Part II The Revolutionary War began as a disagreement over the way in which Great Britain treated the colonies versus the way the colonies felt they should be treated. Americans felt they deserved all the rights of Englishmen. The British, on the other hand, felt that the colonies were created to be used in the way that best suited the crown and parliament. SO WHAT EXACTLY HAPPENED? WHY WERE THE COLONIES SO UPSET THEY DECIDED TO OVERTHROW THEIR GOVERNMENT (TAKING JOHN LOCKE S ADVICE)? First, let's take a look at the reasons for the colonies unhappiness through our social studies lenses! Geographic Considerations - The of the colonies from much smaller island nation of Great Britain created an that was hard to overcome. Those willing to colonize the new world generally had a strong independent streak desiring new opportunities and more freedom. Political Considerations The existence of meant that the colonies were in many ways independent of the Crown. The legislatures were allowed to levy taxes, muster troops, and pass laws. Over time, in the eyes of many colonists. When the legislatures powers were curtailed by the British, conflict ensued. Cultural Considerations - The Enlightenment Many of the revolutionary leaders had studied major writings of including those of Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and the Baron de Montesquieu. From these writings, the founders adopted the concepts of the, limited government, the, and separation of powers. Historical and Economic Considerations - These historical events, in which the British increased primarily economic restrictions on the colonies, led to an increasing dissatisfaction in the colonies. 1. 1660-1673 The Navigation Acts Britain controls trade. a. No ship could engage in trade in the colonies unless it was built in the colonies or England. In addition, at least 70% of a ship s crew had to be English citizens or colonists.
b. Tobacco, Indigo, and other valuable goods were to be sent directly to England or sold to English colonies. (The colonies to other countries. All trades had to go through England). c. Any imports to American colonies had to first go through England. (The colonies from other countries). d. The colonies could not manufacturing certain goods from their own natural resources. 2. 1756-1763 - French and Indian War How it started. In the 1700s the colonists and the British wanted to expand west. The French had settled land to the west of English colonies, and they did not allow English colonists to settle in their land. The English colonists continued to try and expand into French territory, and France defended its western lands with force, culminating in the French and Indian War, which lasted During the war, English soldiers came from England to fight French. The English soldiers also sought help from local colonial militias (colonial soldiers). At the time, each colonial government was in charge of setting up their own defense, or militia, for their own protection. In fact, led the British forces during the war. The Results The French and Indian War was the it took more lives than the American Revolution and involved people on three continents, including the Caribbean. Britain won the war, and gained control of the French and Spanish territories (the Spanish had fought with the French), ending France s influence in North America. However, Britain was and. Essentially, Britain wanted to pay its war debt with the colonists taxes. With the defeat of the French, the on Britain for protection. The colonists no longer needed protection from the French. They also realized their armies had actually helped win the war. Further, they started together to win the war.
3. 1763 Proclamation of 1763 Don t go past this line. This prohibited settlement beyond after the French and Indian War. While Britain did not intend to harm the colonists, many colonists took offense at this order. 4. 1764 - Sugar Act You have to pay us for rum and dessert. This act raised revenue by imposing duties on (used for making rum) and imported from the West Indies. This made the colonists angry they felt that the British Parliament should not be able to create taxes for the colonies The goal was to curtail all the smuggling going on. The Sugar Act actually lowered taxes, but increased punishment of smugglers. It gave British officers authority to bring smugglers to trial in Nova Scotia depriving them of a trial by jury of their peers. 5. 1764 - Currency Act You have to use our money. Parliament argued that colonial currency had caused a devaluation harmful to British trade. They banned American assemblies from or bills of credit. 6. 1765 - Quartering Act You have to host houseguests. Britain ordered that colonists were to if necessary and without compensation. 7. 1765 - Stamp Act Pay us a tax every time you use paper. This required including playing cards, newspapers, and legal documents like marriage licenses. This made the colonists very angry and they created the slogan - They believed they should not be taxed in the colonies unless they could send voting representatives to Parliament.
Colonists Response to the Stamp Act: They created the that consisted of representatives from the colonies. The Stamp Act Congress discussed future social action to try and create change. They organized (they refused to buy them). They wrote a explaining their frustration and asking for representation in Parliament. It was (the Colonists protests were successful)! 8. 1767 - Townshend Acts We re not kidding. Pay taxes now. These taxes included This act also allowed the British to at any time for smuggled goods. (The colonists felt that this violated their rights because in England, citizens were protected from searches without probable cause or reason.) In spite of this law, smugglers increased their activities to avoid the tax. So, the British sent more troops to Boston to curtail the smuggling. In response, the colonists agreed to the, which was a on ALL imports from England. In essence, they agreed not to buy any goods from England. They also formed the, an organization that would set up future protests and social action (boycotts, petitions, etc.). 9. 1770 Boston Massacre We will kill you if you don t obey us. The colonists and British soldiers openly clashed in Boston. This event was used as an example of British cruelty despite questions about how it actually occurred. 10. 1773 - Tea Act You have to buy our tea. To assist the failing British East India Company, the Company was given a in America. This act technically lowered the cost of tea, but it The colonists feared that, if Parliament could run American tea merchants out of business, then they could destroy other businesses in the future.
In response, the colonists organized a (they drank coffee and called it Liberty Tea ). The Sons of Liberty, dressed as Mohawk Indians, also organized the 11. 1774 - Intolerable Acts We re punishing you for protesting. These were passed in response to the Boston Tea Party and placed restrictions on the colonists including The colonists resented that Parliament was using its power to punish rather than protect. 12. 1774 - The First Continental Congress - Let s get together. This was an inter-colonial organization that discussed issues and made decisions on behalf of all the colonies in order to Fifty-six representatives from all of the colonies except Georgia met in Philadelphia. They: Adopted a resolution for all colonies to oppose the Intolerable Acts Created an association to boycott British goods Passed ten resolutions enumerating the rights of colonists 13. 1775 - Lexington and Concord We ve had it with you, colonies. In April, British troops were ordered to Lexington and Concord to seize stores of colonial gunpowder and to capture Samuel Adams and John Hancock. At Lexington, open conflict occurred and eight Americans were killed. At Concord, the British troops were forced to retreat with the loss of 70 men. This was the 14. 1775 - Second Continental Congress Stop complaining. All thirteen colonies were represented at this meeting in Philadelphia beginning May. The colonists still hoped that their grievances would be met by King George III. George Washington was named head of the Continental Army. 15. 1775 - Bunker Hill That s it. We are officially not friends anymore. On June 17, 1775, early in the Revolutionary War (1775-83), the British defeated the Americans at the Battle of Bunker Hill in Massachusetts. Despite their loss, the inexperienced colonial forces inflicted, and the battle provided them with an important confidence boost. This conflict resulted in George III