Colonial America: British Acts, French and Indian War, Revolution

Navigation Acts (1660-1663)

Required colonial shipping to be carried on English/colonial ships with English and/or colonial crews; helped promote shipbuilding industry in colonies

Wool Act (1699)

Woolen goods could not be exported from the colony where they were manufactured

Hat Act (1732)

Prohibited export of beaver hats from colony of origin; limited the number of apprentices a master could train

Iron Act (1750)

Allowed raw iron to be produced but could not construct furnaces or mills for finished goods

Molasses Act (1733)

Placed tax on molasses, sugar, and rum imported from outside the empire

Mercantilism

Wealth measured by amount of gold and silver a country possesses; economic policy aimed to create favorable balance of trade for the mother country

Political Structure of Colonial Governments

Colonies had elected bicameral legislatures, royally appointed governors, and enjoyed great autonomy under salutary neglect until the F/I war; common theme of east-west/coast-frontier divide

Glorious Revolution

1688, James II deposed by William and Mary of Orange in bloodless revolution, led to dissolution of the Dominion of NE and small "civil war" type rebellions in NY and Maryland

"Lower House"

Typically called State Houses or Assemblies, responsible for the creation of most legislation; held great power right after the Revolution as states feared strong executives

"Balanced Government"

Government that included legislative (soon became bicameral), executive, and judicial branches to balance/separate power

King William's War/Queen Anne's War/King George's War

Series of intercolonial wars between France, Spain and the UK that set stage for French and Indian war (which was the last in a series of 4 conflicts between France and the UK)

Albany Congress

Proposed plan of Union — "Join or Die" led by Ben Franklin to create a centralized government led by President-General to respond to French and native attacks; failed to gain support

French and Indian War (7 Years' War)

NA theater of larger conflict between Britain, France, and their allies; resulted in resounding British victory (despite early failures) and massive expansion of the NA colonies

William Pitt

Secretary of State for the South of UK from 1757 onward, Prime Minister 1766-68; understood colonial concerns, gained loyalty and cooperation through reimbursements, removed Lord Loudoun

General Edward Braddock

Led British forces that attempted to evict the French from OH River Valley and Canada (Newfoundland/Nova Scotia) in 1755; proved disastrous and Braddock was killed in OH

General James Wolfe

Captured Quebec in 1759, major British victory and turning point in French and Indian War

King George III

British monarch from 1760-1820, inherited an empire terribly in debt with great domestic unrest; his ascension allowed for Peace of Paris to end F/I War

Writs of Assistance

Search warrants (that did not require cause) generally used to enforce anti-smuggling Acts and collect taxes; antagonized the colonists

James Otis

High-profile lawyer that argued against writs of assistance; lost the case but galvanized the revolutionaries. Also organized the Stamp Act Congress

Proclamation of 1763

Colonists could not settle West of line roughly down the Appalachian mountains; instituted in attempt to prevent further conflict with natives in new lands won in F/I War (nearly impossible to enforce)

George Grenville

Became Prime Minister in 1763, began imposing new system of control on colonies in wake of F/I War that aggravated colonists of all backgrounds

Sugar Act (1764)

Eliminate illegal sugar trade through strict enforcement of taxes (later reduced in hopes that colonists would pay); established vice admiralty courts

Currency Act (1764)

Eliminated paper currency (greatly harmed small farmers)

Quartering Act (1765)

Required colonists to house British troops that were now permanently stationed in the colonies

Stamp Act (1765)

First direct tax on the colonies, taxed papers, cards, printed documents, etc; inspired large backlash (Stamp Act Congress); was repealed because it hurt British merchants

Virtual Representation

British theory that members of parliament represented the entire empire, not a specific geographic area or group of people

Internal vs. External Taxes

Colonists believed UK could levy external taxes (ie. duties on imports) but not internal taxes (ie. goods sold in the colonies — Stamp Act)

Patrick Henry

Member of VA House of Burgesses; gave fiery speeches in defiance of British authority (later famous for "Give me liberty or give me death"); introduced Virginia Resolves — colonists should have same rights as Englishmen and Virginians should only pay taxes levied by VA Assembly (were not passed but published widely)

Stamp Act Congress

Meeting of delegates from 9 colonies in NY at urging of James Otis; passed Stamp Act Resolves

Non-Importation

Colonial boycotts of British goods in response to various acts (Stamp, Townshend, Tea, etc); led by groups such as Daughters of Liberty

Vice-admiralty Courts

Courts presided over by British Magistrates that had jurisdiction over legal matters relating to maritime activities (mostly smuggling)

Declaratory Act

Passed shortly after the repeal of the Stamp Act, declared that Parliament had absolute authority over the colonies in "all cases whatsoever"

Charles Townshend

Became Chancellor of the Exchequer in 1767 when William Pitt returned as Prime Minister; enacted Townshend Duties

Townshend Duties (1767)

Shift from using taxes to pay war debts to government salaries, diverted revenue collected from internal → external, taxed most imports and increased custom officials at US ports (Boston Board of Customs)

John Dickinson

Attorney from Penn, "Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania," argued distinction between internal and external taxes (opposed Stamp Act)

Boston Massacre

UK sends more troops to colonies following unrest over Townshend Duties; clash with belligerent colonists in Boston, 5 killed March 5th 1770

John Adams

Assisted in writing Declaration of Independence and negotiations for Treaty of Paris, first Vice President under Washington, leading Federalist, early proponent of full independence from UK

Thomas Hutchinson

Longtime Mass politician that became lieutenant governor and later governor, issued writs of assistance and largely seen as supporting additional taxes and opposing colonial rights; blamed by Lord North for contributing to tensions that led to the war

Referenced Declaration of Independence

Seneca Falls, Black Panthers, Vietnam, South Carolina: Directly referenced the Declaration of Independence in their documents

Lord North

Prime Minister from 1770-82, passed the Coercive Acts, was largely hands-off during the Revolution

Intolerable Acts of 1774

Colonial nickname for the Coercive Acts, passed in response to Boston Tea Party: Boston Port Act (closed port of Boston), Mass Government Act (disbanded colonial government), Administrative Justice Act (special trial for British troops accused of crimes in Boston), Quartering Act

Quebec Act

Granted civil government to OH River Valley and part of Canada, support of Catholicism sparked fears UK would attempt to appoint Bishop for the 13 colonies

First Continental Congress

Sep. 1774: All colonies but Georgia, sent petition to George III to denounce the Intolerable Acts, agreed to meet again next year, ordered full boycott and preparation for defensive war after narrowly rejecting plan for colonial union under UK

Declaration and Resolves

Passed by the first Continental Congress, outlined a list of grievances against the King, created a colonial bill of rights, planned boycott of British trade under Continental Association

Galloway Plan

Narrowly rejected plan by Joseph Galloway of Maryland that sought to avoid war and create a colonial union under Britain

The Association

Agreed to as part of the Declaration and Resolves, called for the total boycott of British imports, championed by Richard Henry Lee

James Wilson

Prominent lawyer that helped draft the Declaration of Independence, primary architect of the executive branch, helped propose the 3/5 compromise and electoral college, opposed bill of rights; later a Supreme Court Justice

Lexington and Concord

Opening battles of Rev. War, British troops march from Boston to attempt to arrest John Hancock and Sam Adams and destroy an ammunition depot; "Shot heard around the world" and militia ambushes as the British marched back

Second Continental Congress

Three weeks after Lexington/Concord, colonies still divided over full independence or reforms (former led by Richard Henry Lee, John and Sam Adams, latter by John Dickinson); Olive Branch Petition rejected by George III, Thomas Paine and Common Sense, "Declaration of the Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms" passed

Common Sense - Thomas Paine

Influential publication, Paine argued that an island should not control such a large nation, inspired support for revolution; "The Pen is Mightier than the Sword" - Richard Henry Lee (sold over 100,000 copies)

Gen. William Howe

Commander of British forces in North America, had no particular hostility to colonists and attempted to submit them to royal pardon, largely blamed for failures in NY offensive for weakening forces to pursue attack on Philadelphia, accused of incompetence and even colonial sympathizing

Thomas Jefferson

Primary author of Declaration of Independence, wrote VA Statute of Religious Liberty (church/state separation), first Secretary of State, leading Anti Federalist and founder of Republican Party in opposition to the programs of Hamilton

George Washington

Held the nation together during Revolution, led Continental Army, president of Constitutional Convention, first president of the United States, quietly supported Federalists but opposed parties, put down Whiskey Rebellion, prevented Society of Cincinnati rebellion (Newburgh Conspiracy)

Battle of Saratoga

Decisive American victory against British forces in Saratoga NY under command of Horatio Gates, which collapsed British offensive in NY and directly led to alliance with France; Britain lost best chance for decisive victory

French Alliance 1778

France formally recognizes USA in 1778 after Saratoga and negotiations with Ben Franklin, send naval and expeditionary support

Yorktown

Last major battle of the war, American and French forces trap British forces under Cornwallis at the port of Yorktown, VA under French blockade; Cornwallis surrendered on October 17, 1781

Treaty of Paris 1783

John Jay, Ben Franklin, John Adams assigned to negotiate peace treaty in Paris, instructed to defer to French but soon broke off to negotiate own treaty with UK when Gibraltar became a roadblock to France/Spain; U.S recognized and granted large land concessions when treaty signed on Sept. 3 1783

Articles of Confederation

Created weak central government for the U.S; drafted during the war in 1777 but not ratified until 1781, unicameral legislature, no executive branch, existed from 1781-89 and had little power

"The Critical Period"

Period between 1783-1789 as the new nation struggled to keep itself together and form an effective government under the Articles, grow world standing, address economic problems, etc.

"The Experimental Period"

Period from 1787-1789 that included debate between federalists and antifederalists on ratification of the Constitution, created our current system of government

The Grid

System to sell land in the northwest territories in grid system created under the 1785 Land Ordinance

Land Ordinance of 1785

Created the grid system in the northwest territory; one of the major accomplishments of the Confederation

Salutary Neglect

British policy for colonial economy before F/I War; mostly did not interfere in economic affairs since the colonies remained profitable to the empire

Annapolis Convention 1786

12 representatives from NY, NJ, PA, DE, VA met to address barriers that limited trade and commerce between states, not enough states to make real change but sent report to Congress calling for broader change to Articles

Northwest Ordinance 1787

Created a single territory north of Ohio River, min 60k population for statehood, religious freedom, no slavery

Shays' Rebellion

Daniel Shays led group of farmers in rebellion against MA government primarily over collection of wartime debts and taxes, put down by local militia but exposed problems with Articles

Constitutional Convention

Summer 1787 gathering of 55 delegates from 12 states (no RI) in Philadelphia tasked with addressing the problems of the Articles, soon shifted to creating a new Constitution for the United States

3/5 Compromise and Great Compromise

Major compromises to find agreement on new Constitution; slaves were to be counted as 3/5 of a person for taxation and representation (led to VA dynasty), Bicameral legislature with House elected by people proportional to population, Senate with 2 Senators per state selected by state legislatures

Federalists vs. Antifederalists

Rise of opposing factions after the drafting of the Constitution: Federalists led by Franklin, Hamilton, (privately supported by Washington) supported ratification; Antifederalists led by Patrick Henry opposed ratification, feared a strong national government, supported a bill of rights, believed represented the true views of the people and the revolution

The Federalist Papers

Written by Hamilton, Jay, and Madison in union as Publius, influential and won support for ratification of constitution; Fed. 10 — James Madison writing against factions and direct democracy, larger republic granted more security from factions

State Constitutions

Based on republicanism, most states had strong governors w/ veto power, bicameral legislatures, most had bills of rights, property requirements for voting, some had universal white male suffrage (Mass. first state to hold Convention for Constitution that could not be easily changed by legislature, soon became example)

John Wilkes

MP for Middlesex in UK that was repeatedly denied his seat and re-elected on grounds of being a "rebel," had sympathy for the colonists and his exclusion became a rallying cry for the colonists against Parliament

Olive Branch Petition

Sent to George III by the 2nd Continental Congress (August 1774), primarily written by John Dickinson - final attempt to reconcile with Britain, rejected before read in light of Lexington and Concord and Proclamation of Rebellion

Virginia House of Burgesses

First legislative assembly in the colonies (1619), most influential of such bodies, Patrick Henry and other members held radical positions

Paxton Boys

Brief rebellion for relief against colonial taxes in 1763 (along with civil war in NC convinced UK the colonies were too divided to ever rebel)

Loyalists

Those that remained loyal to the British during the war (aka Tories), most prevalent in NYC and the South (their participation in the war effort has led to arguments of quasi-civil war classification for revolution)

Molly Pitcher

Took the place of her husband as an artillery gunner during Revolution, believed to most likely be Mary Ludwig Hays or Margaret Corbin (also argued to be a generic name for women who fought in the revolution)

Republicanism

Assumed government for states after the revolution; government by the people, independent landholder was important but never actually realized

Civic Virtue

Habits important to the creation of a successful society, especially important for the maintenance of a republic (ie. obeying laws, paying taxes, voting, etc)

Declaration of Independence

Primarily written by Thomas Jefferson (with assistance from Ben Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman, and Robert Livingston) in 1776, publicly justifying the decision of Independence that was approved on July 2nd

Samuel Adams

Early radical, channeled outrage over Boston Massacre through creation of Committees of Correspondence, founded Sons of Liberty, favored full independence at Continental Congress, arrest warrant issued at Lexington and Concord

Committees of Correspondence

First appeared in Mass. in 1772, circulated literature and communications in support of independence and attempted to keep revolutionary sentiment alive; created by Samuel Adams

Regulators and the Battle of Alamance

1767-71 uprising in NC led by interior farmers that were experiencing an economic depression and viewed the coastal government as corrupt and disconnected; actual battle occurred in 1771, the Regulators were quickly defeated at the Battle of Alamance by Governor Tryon and the movement collapsed

Tea Act 1773

Allowed flailing BEIC to directly import tea to the colonies and bypass duties, severely undercutting colonial merchants and the black market; inspired boycotts

Boston Tea Party

December 16 1773 - colonists dump hundreds of crates of BEIC tea into Boston Harbor, public resistance against Tea Act; leads to passage of Coercive Acts

Edmund Randolph

Helped introduce the VA plan at Constitutional Convention (bicameral gov't, population based representation, etc), did not sign the Constitution due to disagreement with revisions but later chaired VA state Ratification Committee

William Paterson

Proposed the NJ plan (revise articles, 1 vote per state, increase powers of the central government)

Alexander Hamilton

Reformer who wanted to replace the Articles completely, works with James Madison to push for Convention in Philadelphia to write new Constitution; wrote Federalist papers; first Secretary of Treasury; leading federalist figure who got new taxes passed, created Federal Bank and helped restore public credit