Rising tension - America

Background

• colonies governed by British-appointed governor

• Colonial assemblies elected by majority of men - centre for discussion and opposition to British laws

• Britain gained new territories after 7 year war → debt - necessitated troops stationed in 13 colonies (defence) and duties though navigation act

• Idea of ‘no taxation without representation’ (influenced by enlightenment thinking) vs stamp act 1765 (repealed 1766)

Townshend duties

• introduced 1767 - duties on glass, wine, paper and tea imports

• Arguably shows Britain accepted taxes on imports instead of internal commerce BUT Massachusetts assembly denounced duties for violating ‘taxation without representation’

• Sons of liberties (paramilitary led by Sam Adams) lef persecution of tax collectors (Garin and feathering ect) BUT British didn’t repeal

Boston massacre

• 5 protestors (including Crispus Attucks) killed by British → reveres engraving circulated

• Townshend duties repealed BUT tea taped remained remained → ‘years of calm’ (1770-73)

Years of calm

• Neutrals largely satisfied with repeal of Townshend duties

• Approx 40% patriots(colonial elite - unity), 20% loyalists (mix of minority groups e.g., Germans and Scot’s)

• Adams set up committee of correspondence - communicated colonial grievences (all but 2 colonies inc Pennsylvania) - potential t convert neutrals into patriots

Boston tea Party

• Tea act 1773 allowed EIC to trade directly with America (circumventing British ports) → cheaper BUT colonists saw reaffirmation of ‘taxation without representation’ - committees of correspondence encouraged boycotts ect.

• 60 sons of liberty threw cargoes of tea worth worth £10k into sea @ Boston Harbour

• British response - MA placed under military control, 1774

• Coercive acts -murder trials moved to England, Boston port closed, Gov patronage over most troops

Rebellion to revolution

• Continental congress met 1774, proclaimed right of each colony to control troops → British declared MA to be in a state of rebellion

• 1775 - Britain attempted to capture rebel munition at concord

• Militiamen forced British back and besieged Boston

• British reinforced and attacked rebels at bunker hill, captures territory but mass losses → George III declared all colonies o be in state of open rebellion

Political advancements

• Declaration of Independence adopted on 4th July 1776, declared right to US self-determination due to infringement on fundamental rights, written by Jefferson and assisted by Paines ‘Common sense’

• Articles of Confederation drawn up - created constitution w heavily limited congressional power