American Revolutionary Movement Part 1

1. Road to Revolution Influential Ideas Republicanism - a representative government modeled on Ancient Greece & Rome - the stability & authority of government are based on the virtue of the citizens - selflessness, self-sufficiency, & courage

2. ‘ Country’/‘Radical’ Whig Ideology in England & America - opposed the power of the Monarchy and critical of: - corruption, patronage & bribes, among the King’s ministers - the dangers of a standing army - the threat a powerful state posed to personal liberty

3. A New King George III became King of England in 1760

4. Parson’s Cause (1758-1763) - British government interfered with Virginia’s limitation of the pay for Anglican ministers - Colonists, including Patrick Henry, were hostile to the minister’s claims and British interference

5. Writs of Assistance (beginning in 1760) - general search warrants intended to cut down on smuggling - enabled British authorities to search any colonist's business or home with no advance notice and no probable cause - James Otis, a prominent Boston lawyer, argued against the writs in an unsuccessful court case

6. Aftermath of the French & Indian War - Pontiac’s Rebellion (1763-66) - Proclamation Line of 1763 - Posting of 10,000 on the frontier - Increased enforcement & collection of import duties by Prime Minister George Grenville - Britain’s national debt doubled as a result of the War

7. Paxton Boys (1763-4) - After Pontiac’s Rebellion Pennsylvania frontiersmen attacked and massacred peaceful local American Indians - The colonial government did not support them and instead threatened prosecution - In response the militia marched on Philadelphia but were met by British troops & militia - The frontier militia was convinced to back down by Benjamin Franklin

8. Sugar Act (1764) - Reduced import taxes on foreign-made molasses, but strengthened enforcement of the law - tried smugglers before a Vice-Admiralty Court – a British judge, instead of a colonial jury - first British tax on the colonies designed to raise revenue instead of regulate trade - Hurt prosperous colonial merchants