Chapter 4 IDs-Empire in Transition (French and Indian War to Revolution)

Salutary Neglect

Britain’s unofficial policy (1721–1763) loosening enforcement of mercantilist laws to allow colonies more self-rule.

Albany Plan of Union

Ben Franklin’s 1754 proposal for colonial unity; approved but never implemented.

Iroquois Confederacy

Powerful Native alliance; Great Law of Peace influenced U.S. Constitution.

French and Indian War

1754–1763 war between Britain & France over North America; ended Salutary Neglect.

Peace of Paris 1763

Treaty ending F&I War; Britain gains Canada & Florida; France loses most North America.

Pontiac’s Rebellion

1763–66 Native uprising against British post-war expansion.

Paxton Boys

1763 frontier farmers revolt in PA over Native conflicts & lack of representation.

Proclamation of 1763

British ban on colonial expansion west of Appalachians; largely ignored.

Sugar Act (1764)

Tax on sugar to raise revenue; sparked early boycotts.

Currency Act (1764)

Law prohibiting colonial paper money; worsened trade & economic issues.

Regulator Movement

1760s backcountry farmers revolt in NC/SC over taxation & poor representation.

Stamp Act (1765)

Direct tax on printed goods; unified colonies in protest.

Internal Tax

Tax on goods produced/consumed within colonies (e.g., Stamp Act).

External Tax

Tax on imported goods (e.g., Townshend Duties).

Stamp Act Congress (1765)

Meeting of 9 colonies to protest Stamp Act & coordinate boycotts.

Patrick Henry, VA Resolves (1765)

Speech opposing internal taxes; “If this be treason, make the most of it!”

Samuel Adams

Leader of Sons of Liberty; organized Committees of Correspondence.

James Otis

Massachusetts delegate; coined “Taxation without representation is tyranny!”

Sons of Liberty (1765)

Group resisting British taxes via intimidation, propaganda, & boycotts.

Committees of Correspondence

Colonial communication network spreading anti-British sentiment.

Daughters of Liberty (1765)

Women’s group organizing boycotts & spinning bees.

Quartering Act (1765)

Required colonists to house British soldiers; angered colonies.

Declaratory Act (1766)

Parliament claimed right to tax colonies anytime; ignored by colonists.

Townshend Acts (1767)

External taxes on imports; revenue paid crown officials, not assemblies.

John Dickinson’s Letters (1767–68)

Essays opposing revenue-raising taxes without representation.

Boston Massacre (1770)

Shooting of 5 colonists by British soldiers; fueled anti-British sentiment.

Gaspee Affair (1772)

Colonists burned British customs ship; increased resistance networks.

Tea Act (1773)

Let British East India Co. undersell tea; led to Boston Tea Party.

Boston Tea Party (1773)

Sons of Liberty dumped British tea into harbor to protest taxes.

Coercive/Intolerable Acts (1774)

Punitive laws on Massachusetts after Tea Party; united colonies.

Quebec Act (1774)

Extended Quebec borders & rights to Catholics; angered colonists.

New England Restraining Act (1775)

Limited NE trade in response to boycotts; part of hard-line British policy.

Conciliatory Proposition (1775)

Attempt to appease colonies with voluntary taxation; too late.

First Continental Congress (1774)

Meeting of 12 colonies to protest Intolerable Acts & coordinate resistance.

Suffolk Resolves (1774)

MA plan calling for militia training, boycotts, and repeal of Intolerable Acts.

Lexington & Concord (April 1775)

First battles of Revolution; “Shot heard round the world.”

Virtual Representation

English idea that Parliament represents the empire, not individuals.

Direct Representation

Colonist belief that only elected reps can tax them.

Enlightenment

17–18th c. intellectual movement influencing rights, government, & revolution.