WEEK 9 AMERICAN STUDIES 10 NOVEMBER 2014 From the French &
Indian War to the Revolution
Slide 2
Privateers/ Buccaneers Authorized to capture merchant vessels
from enemy countries, Knighted for their services--Sir Francis
Drake, Sir Henry Morgan Unemployed when peace came in 1712 Turned
to piracyplundering ships from all nations
Slide 3
The Straights of Florida were a natural place for pirates to
intercept merchant ships. The islands and shallow waters of the
Bahamas provided many hiding places.
Slide 4
1715-1725 The Golden Age of Pirates Centered on Bahamasa zone
of freedom 20-30 pirate commodores Set up an independent republic
Able to buy off local authorities. Seen as heroes by common folk.
Disrupted empires of Britain, France, Spain, especially the slave
trade.
Slide 5
Who were the pirates? Unemployed buccaneers Disgruntled sailors
Runaway indentured servants Runaway slaves Political enemies of
King George I
Slide 6
What did pirates contribute to American culture? Democracy
leaders were elected Decisions voted on Meritocracy Elected for
what they could do Open to anyonewomen, former slaves Equality loot
divided fairly Decent living & working conditions for all
Social securityfunds set aside for disabled crew members Disrespect
for nationalism Came from all nationalities, loyal to none
Slide 7
Piracy punished. The British Empire had to strike back. Piracy
was costing them dearly in lost trade, but, more importantly, it
threatened their way of life in which the rich were allowed to
steal from the poor but not the other way around. The British Navy
cracked down hard. Many pirates such as Captain Kidd, seen here,
were hanged in chains as a warning to other pirates. The pirate
attitude of resistance to authority lived on in the culture of
sailors and dock-side workers and would become an important factor
in beginning the American Revolution.
Slide 8
The French and Indian War officially ended in 1763. The French
and their Indian allies were the losers, but the treaty to end the
war left everyone unhappy.
Slide 9
The Treaty of Paris created a line of demarcation running along
the ridge tops of the Appalachian Mountains. American settlers were
not allowed beyond this line. The British took over the French fur
trade. This made the Indians unhappy because the French were better
trading partners.
Slide 10
The Treaty of Paris left everyone dissatisfied. The Indians,
because they thought the British were lousy trading partners.
American settlers, because they were not allowed onto the new-won
land. The British: they had gone deep in debt to defeat the French.
They thought the Americans owed them.
Slide 11
Pontiacs Rebellion Coalition of tribes led by Ottawa chief
Indians attacked British forts west of Appalachians British used
small pox as a weapon.
Slide 12
Stamp Act 1765 Brits thought Americans should help pay for the
war. Required purchase of a stamp for anything involving
papernewspaper, writing paper, marriage license, deck of
cards.
Slide 13
Americans respond by Destroying tax collectors houses Not
allowing stamps to be unloaded from ships Forcing tax collectors to
resign Boycotting British products Forcing Parliament to rescind
the tax.