History: AOS 3 SAC 1

British Management of 13 Colonies: 1600s - 1700s

Statutory neglect: as Britain did not enforce trade laws in 13 colonies - did not meet duty of care.

Post French-Indian war :

• Production of certain items restricted : wool/ farming equipment.

• Britain prevented colonies from trading with: French, Spanish, Dutch etc.

Mercantilism

Dominant British economic theory in which colonies only existed to enrich the “Mother Country” through production of:

• Raw materials, products, and manufactured goods.

• More trade/ resources = More powerful empire

Materials harvested in colonies > manufactured in Britain> sold back to colonies

Traders and Smugglers

Many Merchants worked as wholesalers/ traders, managing transatlantic commerce within port cities.

• New York, Boston etc.

Merchants increased profits by working around trade regulations, such as:

• Illegal shipping, bribing, and smuggling.

Treaty of Paris 1763

February 10th 1763, marking end of French-Indian war, and resulted in:

• All territoires of new France (Canada, East of Mississippi river) handed to Britain

• French lost political control in America

• French allowed to practise catholicism (minority).

Britain suffered 25,000 deaths in war, with war debt = 138 million pounds.

Pontiac Rebellion, 1763

‘Pontiac’ - a Odawa Chieftain- launched string of attacks against British settlements after 7 year war.

• This inspired more western tribes to attack as a sign of widespread discontent.

• 8 out of 13 colonial forts fell to Native Americans.

Proclamation act of 1763

October of 1763, drawing a boundary line along West of the Appalachian mountains, blocking all settlements west of the line.

• Aimed to prevent further conflict with Native Americans

• Purchases of the land from Native tribes was prohibited

The Sugar act 1764

British Parliament passed in April 1764, otherwise known as ‘American Revenue act’ and aimed to:

• Regulate Colonial Trade.

Reduced duty on foreign goods including molasses (sixpence to three)

• Britain made molasses cheaper to avoid colonies from purchasing from France to avoid tax

Writs of assistance

General search warrants, allowing customs officials to search for smuggled goods without specific evidence.

• ‘Sugar act” explicitly authorized their use.

• James Otis - Massachusetts lawyer and political activist - against “writs” believing it breached english rights.

Public Reaction/ Political Perspective to sugar act

Merchants, shipping companies and shop owners believed “sugar act” was an attempt by the British to:

• Impose new taxes

• Collect them by force.

Currency act 1764

September 1764, banned the printing of colonial paper money/ use of existing paper money to pay private debts. Aims:

• Increase the amount of gold/ silver coins circulating in colonies

• Prevent colonies from using a separate currency system.

By 1762 British economy struggling due to 7 year war due to decrease in exports/ production

Impacts of currency act

• American Businesses/ Banks no natural supply of metal and couldn’t receive any from France.

• Merchants/ Importers forced to find foreign coins/ gold to settle their accounts with British companies.

Made it harder to pay off debt > impacting their trade.

Stamp act 1765

March 1765, one penny tax on official documents, in an attempt to raise money to pay off war debt

• Contracts, wills, and marriage license

• Declared paper products had to have a stamp otherwise could not be traded/ sold.

Impacts of Stamp act

• Impacted everyone: colonial elites, artisans and those in remote villages.

• Prompted “no taxation without representation” as colonials did not have direct representation in British Parliament.

Quartering act 1765

May 1765, required colonial assemblies to provide accommodation to British soldiers, and help to pay the cost of posting soldiers to colonies.

• Colonies had to provide resources: food, shelter, firewood

• More than 100,000 British troops in colonies from 7 year war

• Otherwise known as “Mutiny act”

Impacts/ Responses of Quartering act

Portrayed in Colonies as attempt to force citizens into hosting British soldiers in private homes.

• Led to colonies protesting, suggesting it ignored their rights.

• Some argued providing accomodation/ resources to soldiers was an alternative form of taxation.

False info as the act did not require them to house soldier in private homes.

Sons of Liberty

Local groups who organized/ engaged in protest against the “stamp act”.

• First group formed in Boston, and inspired other towns to form organisations by the end of 1765.

• Included Protests, Pamphlets, Violent action (tarring and feathering), intimidation (destroying effigies), boycotts.

Samuel Adams: Founder/ Leader of “Sons of Liberty” group

Repeal of the Stamp act

‘Stamp act’ began to become problematic for British, as press and House of commons criticised the act.

• July, 1766 King George III dismissed PM -Grenville - creator and director of Stamp act.

• Spent 9 days in anti stamp act petitions between House of commons/ Lords to repeal stamp act.

Declaratory act 1766

‘Declaratory act’, inserted British Parliament authority over laws and taxation regarding the colonies.

• “Dependant upon the imperial crown and Parliament of Great Britain.”

• Radicals saw this as tyranny

• Introduced after repeal of ‘stamp act’

The Townshend Duties 1767

Reached colonies in 1768, removed tax on everyday items shipped to America instead using ‘Duties’ (GST) to raise revenue.

• Revenue expected to raise 40,000 pounds yearly > to pay colonial governments/ British officials.

• Attempted to solve upset in colonies over tax

• Named after treasurer of Great Britain - Charles Townshend

Responses

Merchants, Traders, and average colonists saw Townshend duties as an attempt to raise money for Britain (Tax was in the cost).

• 20 instances of tarring/ feathering in protest occurring from 1768-1770

• ‘Sons of Liberty’ group signed non-importation agreements, to boycott British traders/ goods.

Daughters of Liberty

Woman contributed to non-importation agreements, boycotting British imported goods, and shaming those that did not uphold the boycott.

• Boycotted tea/ clothes: making own herbal mixes, and creating “Spinning clubs” to produce clothes from recycled materials.

• Edenton ladies tea party (North Carolina): drafted petitions, pledging support of Boycotts.

Seizure of the Liberty

Boston, 1768 John Hancock’s cargo ship named “Liberty” was under inspection by customs officials, under the suspicion of smuggling wine.

• Led to custom officials being attacked by the ship’s captain and a mob.

• Increases Hancocks reputation as revolutionary

Response to circular letter

Hillsborough organises assemblies, with 92-17 against withdrawing letter from circulation. Then organises 2000 soldiers to Boston to solve mob violence, yet:

• Soldiers poorly paid creating competition for jobs

• Paraded on Sundays = Lords hour, while harassing local woman.

Tensions Pre-Boston Massacre

February 1770, 11 year old boy Christopher Seider killed by British custom official -Ebenezer Richardson- after throwing rocks at his home.

• ‘Sons of Liberty’ groups turned Seider’s death into political propaganda

• 2000 people attended his funeral.

Boston Massacre

March 1770, British clipped a colonial boy on the head with a musket. Led Diverse mob to appear.

Town bell rung to gather people, confusing the platoon and causing them to fire

• 5 dead including African American man ‘ Crispus Attucks’

• John Adams printed “Boston Gazette” > colonists viewed as victims.

Tea Act, 1773

May 1773, gave British East India Company direct access to colonial markets > could sell tea to colonies legally and for lower prices, than what was being smuggled from French/ Dutch.

• 9 pence per pound cheaper

• Did not charge new tax > still a duty from townshend duties

Reactions of the Tea Act

British PM ‘Lord North’ believed colonists would be tempted by the cheap tea > and ignore “no taxation without representation”.

• Colonists viewed tea act as an attempt by the British to sell a taxed commodity

• Led to strengthening of boycotts

Prior to the Boston Tea Party

November 1773, 3 cargo ships (Dartmouth, Beaver and Eleanor)  importing tea landed in Boston Harbour

• Samuel Adams held meeting after arrival of the Dartmouth, giving strict orders for it not to unload, however had until December 16 to unload.

• 15th of December, Adams called another meeting in which more than 600 people attended.

The Boston Tea Party

December 16, 1773, after dark approx. 30 men dressed as Native Americans boarded the ships.

• Burgled 342 chests of tea, dumping it into Boston harbour

• Done silently, with little to no Violence

Approx 92,000 pounds of tea dumped, equivalent of 1.7 million dollars lost into today’s currency.

• Inspired similar acts occurred across Massachusetts in 1774.

Public reactions to the Boston Tea Party

Disgust within circles of London and British Parliament.

• Lord North recognised British may lose the colonies > prompted for punishment of colonies.

• Aimed to recover the cost of lost tea, while putting Massachusetts radicals into line.

Coercive acts, 1774: Port act/ Government act

Boston Port act (30th of March): Closed port of Boston to all private Shipping, and unapproved seagoing trade/ deep sea fishing stopped.

Massachusetts Government act (20th May): Suspended colonial government, replacing the governor with a military commander.

• General Thomas Gage > now in control

Coercive acts, 1774: Justice act/ Mutiny act

Administration of Justice act (20th May): Gave the governor power to send those accused of murder in colonies to Britain for trial.

Updated Mutiny/ Quartering act (2 June): Governors could forcibly take over halls, barnes and vacant buildings for military quarters.

Quebec act, 1744

Radically expanded province of Quebec (Canada), increasing its size by 3 times and boxing the 13 colonies between the east coast and West appalachians.

• Restored catholic church’s power > guaranteeing free practise of catholicism.

• Created anger in colonists towards the royal proclamation act 1763, as well as fear over French catholicism. 

British Rule in Boston during 1774

May 1774, British Military Governor General- Thomas Gage:

• Began issuing warrants for leading radicals

• Enforced closure of the port

• Ordered troops to remove rebels weapons/ ammunition.

Colonists believed > British using military force to bring Massachusetts into line.

Colonial response to Thomas Gage

Colonies preparing for military response, yet the colonial militia were:

• poorly armed/ trained

• Consisted of teenage boys and young men

October 1774, 17,000 militiamen > ordered increase in recruits of ‘minutemen’ (men who were ready to fight within a minutes notice).

The powder Alarms, 1774

Series of war scares in late 1774, in which “minutemen” were mobilised.

To prevent war General Gage removed gunpowder stores.

• First powder seizure > Middlesex County and was successful > yet Gage’s written instructions leaked to Patriots.

• Minutemen/ Patriots tried to remove powder supplies, hiding them in:

Forest’s and private barns etc.

Committees of correspondence

First formed 1764 in response to Sugar act, involved circulating political ideas/ grievances through letter writing campaigns.

Samuel Adams revived Boston committee in 1772, with 21 members to:

• Sharing info on British parliament, and discuss ways to respond politically.

Within 6 months of revival, 118 towns created committees.

• Responsible for communication between colonies

First continental congress

September- October 1774, delegates met in Philadelphia, forming ‘inter-colonial summit’ to:

• Debate Coercive acts/ ongoing conditions in Massachusetts

Initially consisted of 55 men from 12 colonies such as John & Samuel Adams, George washington etc.

• Meeting remained secret > as it was treason to congregate under administration of justice act.

Articles of Association

October 20, 1774 drafted by First Continental Congress and outlined political grievances, as well as 14 measures to be adopted by each of the colonies, such as:

• Non-importation,

• Non-consumption

• Non-importation agreements/ forms of protest such as boycotts

Committee formed the basis of the First American congress.

Battle of Lexington, 1755

Gage ordered over 700 redcoats to march on Concord -town 32 km west of Boston- to seize a large store of gunpowder.

• 19th April, 1775 soldiers arrived at lexington > confronted by approx. 70 Patriots

• Shot was fired which led to open gunfire on each side > unpremeditated incident

8 colonial militiamen killed, 10 wounded. Only 1 British wounded.

• Paul Revere warned Concord of British advance

Battle of Concord, 1775

British troops arrived at Concord > immediately began searching for Gunpowder/ Weapons.

• Set fire to a local courthouse and Blacksmith shop

• Colonial militia from Concord, and other nearby towns opened gunfire on the British > British ordered to retreat to Boston

2 militiamen killed and 1 wounded. 3 British killed and 9 wounded.

Post Battle of Concord

March back to Boston, Redcoats encountered Guerilla tactics used by colonists

• Over 2 day period > led to 130 men dead (mostly British).

April 20, 1775 General Gage discovered the outskirts of Boston to be surrounded by 12,000 militiamen > colony now in a state of war.

Battle of Bunker Hill, 1775

June 16-17, 1775 > it was significant for controlling Boston Harbor:

• Colonial troops, led by William Prescott fortified Bunker Hill with 3,200 men.

• British troops attacked with 2,200 soldiers, yet battle ended when colonists ran out of ammunition.

Casualties included 228 dead and 826 wounded.

Second Continental Congress

Met in may 1775 to take control of the war effort

• George Washington and John Hancock > new members

• Congress formed ‘Continental Army’, appointing Washington as commander in chief

leveraged by his militia experience/ Virginian roots

Declaratory For Taking Up Arms: Second Continental Congress

July 1775, delegates justified military action by declaring that Britain’s “wealth, strength, and navigation of the realm” arose from colonies

• Established British > economically dependent on 13 colonies.

• Proven by trade collapse of early 1775 > British imports plummeted from £3 million to just £220,000 in 6 months.

Public reaction to Second Continental Congress

• King George III viewed the Congress as illegal, refusing to consider their petitions.

Delegates > considered traitors > faced treason charges

• Loyalist cartoons depicting delegates as sheep

Olive Branch Petition, 1775

Written by John Dickinson, outlined needs of colonies for resolution with British without violence.

• Called for peace yet confirmed colonial rights.

• King George refused to read petition > causing continental congress to retreat reconciliation.

• John Adams > ‘continuation of war was inevitable’

Prior to Thomas Paine’s: “Common sense”

Most Americans in colonies seeked independence in 1776:

• New Hampshire independence passed January 5th, 1776.

• Continental Congress pushed for colonies to establish their own state government, May 1776.

etc. North Carolina, Virginia, New Jersey

“Common Sense”, 1776

January, 1776 Thomas Paine published ‘Common Sense’

50 page pamphlet, costing 2 shillings that:

• Addressed flawed basis of monarchy, situation in the colonies, and future of America.

100, 000 copies sold in first year > read within churches, schools and town meetings.

• Easily understood and resonated with colonists.

Loyalists

Historian Middlekauff > loyalists made up to 19 percent (500,000) of colonial population.

• Loyalists tended to be wealthier than patriots > having close British ancestral ties.

• Some loyalists dependant on British for buying their goods > economic benefits

Loyalists perceived as enemies of revolution > 1775 facing violence/ harassment.

Declaration of Independence, 1776

Drafted by a subcommittee > Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and primary author Thomas Jefferson.

• July 2nd: Congress officially voted for independence (12–0).

• July 4th: Formal DOI officially adopted.