2. Do Now! Do people have the right to protest against a government they feel is oppressive? Is rebellion legitimate in this case? Even if it is considered treason?
4. Background of Colonial America American colonies Controlled by Britain Jamestown Established 1607 First British-American colony Other Important Colonies 1620 – Plymouth, MA (the Pilgrims) 1630 – Massachusetts Bay Colony 1634 – Maryland 1636 – Providence, RI
5. Seven Years’ War Global military conflict Between 1756 and 1763 Fought on several fronts European American Involving most of the great powers Affecting North and Central America Europe West African coast India Philippines Conflict in the Americas “The French and Indian War
6. French and Indian War Britain vs. France (1740s) Over American territory Ohio River Valley General George Washington Led British troops against France Forced to surrender at Fort Necessity Albany Conference Meeting with colonists and Iroquois Indians Accomplishments: No alliance, Iroquois stay neutral Appoint supreme colonial army commander Albany Plan of Union Proposed colonies unite to form a federal government Benjamin Franklin* Plan rejected 1759 – British Victory Reinforcements from Britain Defeat France in Quebec City, New France
8. Salutary Neglect Salutary Neglect (1607 – 1763) Undocumented, long-standing No strict enforcement of parliamentary law Keep American colonies obedient to Britain Robert Walpole Prime Minister “If no restrictions were placed on the colonies, they would flourish” Navigation Acts not enforced Established under Oliver Cromwell & Charles II Colonists trade only with England, Scotland & Ireland Which were also under Britain's control Ended with the Seven Years’ War
9. British Oppression Sugar Act (1764) Imported raw sugar and molasses New tax on silk, wine, coffee, indigo Seizure of goods without due process* Currency Act (1764) Banned use of paper money in colonies Tended to lose value quickly Quartering Act (1765) Goal – Make colonies pay for their own defense Colonists provide barracks for British troops Stamp Act (1765) Tax on all printed materials Direct Tax – paid directly to Parliament Declaratory Act (1766) Parliament only makes colonial law Townsend Act (1767) Raise property taxes in colonies
10. Early Talk of Rebellion “No Taxation without Representation!” Colonial slogan Unfair to pay, when they have no say Sons of Liberty (1765) Organized meetings and protests Try to intimidate stamp distributers Stamp Act Congress Declaration of Rights and Grievances Political representatives, not parliament, had the right to tax Asked King George and parliament to revoke Stamp Act
11. Boston Massacre Boston Massacre March 5, 1770 British killed 5 colonial men Spark rebellion in some British colonies Leads to American Revolutionary War British increase in troops in Boston Led to tense situation Erupted into brawls between soldiers & civilians Troops fired after being threatened by mob Colonial Casualties 3 civilians were killed at the scene 11 injured 2 died after the incident
14. The Revolution Begins Gaspee Affair Smuggling issue (RI) Gaspee = British ship Suspect trials in Britain Committee of Correspondence Jefferson All colonies communicate about British Boston Tea party Boston, MA Tea Act (May, 1773) Tax on tea Help East India Trading Company Tea Party (Dec, 1773) Colonists dump tea in to harbor Dressed as Native Americans
15. The Revolution Begins (2) Coercive Acts (1774) Laws applied only to MA What it did: Shut Boston Harbor (pay for tea) Government officials appointed, not elected Banned town meetings British soldier trials in Britain Expand Quartering Act Became “Intolerable Acts” 1st Continental Congress September 5, 1774 Philadelphia, PA 55 delegates form 12 colonies Discuss revolution 2nd meeting May 1775
16. Loyalists Patriots “Torries” Loyal to the King (Britain) Who: Government officials Anglican ministers Frontier farmers Fought Patriot boycotts 20% of adults when the war started “Whigs” British = tyrants Who: Wide variety Farmers Merchants Artisans Lawyers Strong in New England 30-40 %of adults when the war started A Divided Colonial America
17. Lexington and Concord April 1775 British to arrest rebellious colonists March to Concord 700 Troops Secret Plan Colonist response Know about the secret Paul Revere Sent to spread the alarm “The British are coming!” Lexington and Concord Site of first battles “The shot heard around the world”
