Ch. 7 - The Road to RevolutionThe Deep Roots of Revolution

the American Revolution was not the same thing as American war for Independence American was a revolutionary force on the day of its creation in a sense it was a rebels who emigrated to America, they put a lot of distance between

themselves and the old Lords the new world, people are not suppressed by the superiors. Instead, they scowled at

their superiors

The Mercantile Theory not one of the original 13 colonies except for Georgia was formally planted by the

British government authorities on London ignored the high-minded and far vision aspirations of pioneer

Puritans, Quakers, and other colonizers Mercantile Theory was used by the British to justify their control of the colonies Mercantilists believed that wealth was power. A country’s economic wealth was power

and it is measured in gold and silver In order to amass gold and silver, a country must export more than it imports. Colonies provide the mother country with imports of raw material and market for

exported material

Mercantilist Trammels on Trade 1650: the navigation laws are passed, it restricted commerce to and from the colonies

to English vessels In the interest of the empire, settlers were restricted to what they may produce at

home. The colonies are forbidden from competing with the European market Americans also had a problem with currency as there is no bank in the colonies

printed paper money inflation destroyed the value British acted prohibiting the colonies from printing any more money saved the British shippers

American were angry because they thought their welfare was again being sacrificed London also has a new regulation which allows the Privy Council to veto laws Although the veto power was used rather sparingly, the colonists resented it

The Merits of Mercantilism Although the Americans considered the mercantilism selfish and deliberate, the laws

mostly benefited the Americans Americans tobacco planters enjoyed a monopoly on British markets Americans enjoyed undiluted rights of Englishmen with the added perk of self-

government Americans enjoyed the shield of the professional British army without a penny of cost Overall, Americans benefited from this mercantile system

The Menace of Mercantilism Stifled economic initiative because Americans were not at liberty to buy, sell, ship, or

manufacture The South benefited more than the North as they grew non-English products Even tobacco was hit because of the low prices set by the British middlemen Impoverished Virginia joined Massachusetts in revolt against England Americans felt used by the British (cows being milked) The colonies were kept in a state of perpetual adolescence and never allowed to come

to age.

The Stamp Tax Uproar The costly Seven Years’ War ended Britain in debt British officials were wise to not have Americans pay for the war on their front;

however, they feel they should at least contribute to the cost of troop garrison for their protection

Prime Minister George Grenville ordered the British navy to strictly enforce the navigation laws

1764: Sugar Act, first law ever passed to raise money for the British. Taxed foreign imported sugar.

1765: Quartering Act, measure required certain colonies to provide food and quarters for British troops

1765: Stamp Act: required stamps on certain items and all legal documents. Offenders of the Stamp Act are tried in Admiralty Courts where jury is not allowed Americans made a distinction between legislation and taxation. They agreed the

parliament can make decisions affecting the entire empire but cannot impose taxes without American representation

Grenville dismissed these protests and defended that Americans are represented through virtual representation

The principal of no taxation without representation was supremely important and the American colonists clung to in throughout the revolution

Parliament Forced to Repeal the Stamp Act 1765: Stamp Act Congress brought up in New York and 20 members drew up a

statement of their rights and grievances The congress was effective in its widespread nonimportation agreements

o Woolen garments became fashionableo Eating lamb chops were discouraged as sheep need to mature

Mobilization in support of the nonimportation gave ordinary American new opportunities to participate in colonial protests

Sons/Daughters of Liberty too the law into their own hands and forced nonimportation upon violators

The Stamp Act was eventually repealed after a heated debate The repeal proved that London would give in to boycott and mob action

The Townshend Tea Tax and the Boston “Massacre” Control of the British ministry is now controlled by “Champagne Charley”, a gifted and

erratic man who can give brilliant speeches even when drunk 1767: Townshend Acts a light duty on import glass, white lead, paper, paint, and tea

o The distinction is that these taxes are external taxes which means they will be paid at the port

Colonists found that the tax on tea was irksome Worst yet, the profits of the Townsend Acts will be used to pay the salaries of royal

governor and judges In order to gain a tighter grip on the colonies, Britain landed more soldiers in Boston Americans resented the character of these soldiers and taunted them mercilessly 1770 a clash called the Boston Massacre occurred, both sides were to be blamed

The Seditious Committees of Correspondents 1770: King George III was strenuously attempting to restore the declining British Empire

o Surrounded himself with “yes men” such as Lord North The Townsends Act was not producing nearly enough profit the fund the troop

stationed in America Most of the duties from the Townsends Act were repealed except for the duty on tea America’s rage was further fueled by redoubled efforts by the British to enforce the

Navigation Laws Samuel Adams of Boston was unimpressive in appearance but ultrasensitive to

infraction upon colonial rights. He was soon known as the “Penman of the Revolution” Samuel Adams also organized in Massachusetts the local committee of correspondence,

their chief function was to spread propaganda and information

Tea Party at Boston and Elsewhere 1773: the colonies are at peace until the East India Company entered the picture The East India Company is facing huge debt and in order to solve this, the British

government gave the company full monopoly over tea in Americao Tea is cheaper than ever as a result

Americans saw this as a way of tricking them into paying the detested tax by using cheap tea

Not a single one of several thousand chests of tea reached the hands of the consignees. Annapolis Marylanders burned the cargo and the vessel Boston Tea was dumped into the ocean Britain was outraged and punishment would be the only option

Parliament Passes the “Intolerable Acts” 1774: passed a series of repressive acts aimed at Boston Boston Port Act: closed the harbor until all damage are paid and order could be assured Enforcing officials who killed colonials in the line of duty could now be sent to England

for trial

Quebec Act: allowed Quebec to expand all the way down to the Ohio river. The land is thus snatched from the Americans. The area is also Catholic which angered many Protestants

The Continental Congress and Bloodshed American dissenters seems to have gone too far with the Boston Tea Party and the

British seems to gone too far with the harsh punishments Responses to the Intolerable Acts include a summoning of a Continental Congress where

distinguished individuals from each colonies attended except for Georgia Continental Congress was a convention rather than a legislative body

o Declaration of Rightso The Association: complete boycott to British goods, nonimportation,

nonexportation, and nonconsumption The Association was enforced like law, violators are punished and troops are trained April 1775: British commander in Boston send a small dispatch of troops to seize a store

of colonial gunpowder The British troops were met at concord with tough and ready Americans. Shots were

fired and the war officially started

Imperial Strength and WeaknessStrength WeaknessPopulation Oppressed Ireland was a smoking volcanoNaval power and monetary wealth France was waiting for revengeLarge professional army London government was not have the

leadership geniusThe generals in America are second ratedDistance to America

American Pluses and MinusesStrength WeaknessOutstanding leadership Rebels badly organized for warForeign aid from France Jealousy and the resentment of control by

each of the coloniesFighting defensively Economic difficultySelf-sustaining in agricultureExcellent marksmenMoral advantage believing that they are

A Thin Line of Heroes Basic military supplies in the colonies are scanty Manufactured goods are short in supply especially clothing and shoes

Blacks also fought and died for America Blacks who served on the British side were promised freedom after their service American profiteers often sold to the British because they can pay in gold