Road to RevolutionInfluential 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

‘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

A New KingGeorge III became King of England in 1760

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

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

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

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

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

Non-importation movement-Many colonial merchants agreed to stop importing British goods in response to the Sugar Act- Parliament repealed the Sugar Act at the insistence of British merchants