Period 3: 1754 - 1800

what is the significance of 1754?

beginning of French and Indian War

what is the significance of 1763?

• end of salutary neglect 

• change in the relationship between England and its American colonies 

what is the significance of 1800?

?

what were all Anglo-French and other wars like? what were its effects? why were they fought?

• effects: Britain left with huge debt, large army, and jingoist sense of nationalism + population in America (esp. New England) was devastated

• fought based of colonists’ interests in war

explain King William’s War in 1689 - 1697?

• War of the League of Augsburg (Nine Years’ War)

• English captured Acadia 

• Treaty of Ryswick (concessions made to French)

• colonists of New England became bitter 

explain Queen Anne’s war in 1702 - 1713?

• war of Spanish succession 

• Spanish involved with French against English 

• South Carolina and Spanish Florida fought 

• Treaty of Utrecht (British kept Acadia)

explain the period of Long Peace. 

• period that lasted 26 years where salutary neglect thrived, but English political control over colonies disintegrated

• British ignored American violations of trade laws

• ineffective actions such as the Hat Act and Molasses Act to threaten the colonists

explain King George II’s War in 1740 - 1748.

• war of Austrian succession

• New Englanders captured French fortress in Louisbourg 

• Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle (Louisbourg returned to French)

explain the French and Indian War (Seven Years’ War).

• extremely aggressive war which involved all 13 colonies in the Ohio River Valley 

• French built fort near Virginia which Virginian militia was sent to get rid of, but lost 

• General James Wolfe and William Pittman decided to beat French in Quebec which was the victory that ended the war 

• Treaty of Paris where France lost all territory in America, Great Britain gained all territory east of Mississippi River River and Canada, Louisiana was given to Spain, and Florida transferred to Great Britain  

what were the effects of the Seven Years’ War?

• emerging American identity 

• colonists thought protection was no longer necessary and felt more free to take an independent stand against Great Britain

• enormous debt

• new western territories required management especially with fur trade (English are not as nice to indigenous people)

how was 1763 a turning point between the colonists and Great Britain?

• salutary neglect came to an end as English had an imperial reorganization

• King George III was known for loosing control of the colonies 

• Parliament will be inconsistent with policy in colonies 

• change over time is that British in 1763 and 1776 attempted to exert control over the colonies which led to organized and successful (sometimes violet) resistance 

what is the cause and effect of western territory?

• cause: Great Britain to gain control of fur trade and colonists were moving west over the Appalachian Mountains 

• effect: Pontiac’s Rebellion where an Ottawan chief who led attack on white people in Appalachian 

• effect of the effect: Proclamation of 1763 which forbid settlement west of Appalachian Mountains, but colonists move anyway  

what is the difference between taxation and regulation?

• taxation: purpose is to raise revenue to pay bills

• regulation: purpose is to encourage behavior by discouraging another 

• Parliament focused on increasing revenue in colony rather than regulating behavior 

• regulating behavior switched into increasing revenue because they are severely in debt 

what were some acts and things passed by Parliament that encouraged colonial resistance?

• Sugar Act — first attempt to increase revenue and made foreign and domestic taxes on molasses the same

• Currency Act — colonists can no longer print money

• to address the problem of smuggling, Parliament established vice-admiralty courts where there is no jury

what was the first sign of colonial resistance to Parliament?

• no violence, but protests occurred

• 1st ideological response to British taxation 

• James Otis published pamphlet which lays out how British tax is illegal 

what was the Stamp Act?

• placed direct tax on all printed matter passed without colonial consent which sparked protests

• Stamp Act Congress in New York were colonies’ unity was growing and they petitioned King George for relief from the Stamp Act

• organized resistance occurred

what are some examples of organized resistance?

• Sons of Liberty — established by Samuel Adams who led revolutionaries in organized non-importation agreements by boycotting British goods

• Daughters of Liberty — established by not-as-forceful women who always want change and boycotted British textiles by holding spinning bees 

• Virginia House of Burgesses passed Patrick Henry’s Virginia Resolves which denounced the Stamp Act and dependent English rights + said that colonists had to listen to directly elected representatives 

why is Virginian involvement important?

because it it by far the most populated colony

what is the colonists’ ideological argument?

• they think government power is limited to purpose which is to protect the people’s rights from tyranny, and they are only given power by the consent of the people

• believe and want actual and direct representation 

• they feel tyranny is being pushed by the principle of taxation

what did the Parliament believe?

• central government power is unlimited and sovereign

• believed in virtual representation as every member of the Parliament represented every member of the empire

• believed that they cannot give up part of its authority without giving up all of it 

what was the outcome of the Stamp Act?

the Parliament repealed it not because of the colonists’ ideological beliefs, but because Britain and British merchants were hurting 

what was the Declaratory Act of 1766?

Parliament declared its authority in “all cases whatsoever” meaning they are asserting power, and the colonies disagree because of the idea of self-government, limited government, and consent of the people 

what were the Townshend Acts? what do the colonists feel about it?

• Parliament seized on the principle of “external” taxation 

• this was a revenue act that taxes imports to the colonies 

• colonies do not like this as it regulates trade over behavior

• vice-admiralty courts were expanded and new duties would pay royal official salaries (control is being taken from colonists)

•  boycotts by resistance groups continue 

• Samuel Adams issued “Circular Letter” which condemned taxation and called for action against Parliament, and this dissolved all elected assembly in Massachusetts 

what was Boston becoming? how?

a powder keg because it became dangerous as 2 regiments of British troops arrived in Boston

did Parliament ever end up repealing the Townshend Acts?

after the Boston Massacre, Parliament did end up repealing the Townshend Acts, except the Tea Act as it was kept as a semblance of authority to show that the Parliament is still in charge, and this is a result of successful organized resistance

what is the Boston Massacre?

• tension between troops and civilians (violent resistance)

• soldiers opened fire in a crowd

• shows the deteriorating relationship between the colonists and Great Britain

what happened during the 3 years of peace after the repeal of the Townshend Acts and the Boston Massacre? 

• Sons of Liberty and other resistance groups continued to resist, protest, and boycott

• in 1772, the 1st Committee was established which was organized resistance to keep revolutionary activity alive 

what was the Tea Act? what was an effect?

• NOT A TAX

• this was an act that allowed duty-free tea to be sold to colonies (tax-free tea) to help the British East India Company, but the colonies saw this as an infringement on their liberty

• colonists see this act as a trick to give a monopoly to them, then tax them in the future

• the Sons of Liberty called for boycotts of the tea by unloading, loading, and sending away ships sent to major ports 

• Boston Tea Party — Sons of Liberty destroyed tea hoping for Parliament to overreact 

what were the Coercive Acts (Intolerable Acts)? what did it lead to?

• punished all of Massachusetts as an effect of the Boston Tea Party

• Boston Port Act — closed all commerce in Massachusetts until tea was paid for and blockade was made by Royal Navy 

• elected assemblies were all dissolved

• received military government 

• New Quartering Act — replaced the previous one and now soldiers could be housed in private homes 

• this lead to the first meeting of the first Continental Congress 

the Coercive Acts were a turning point between the…?

relationship of the colonists and Britain

what was the Continental Congress? what were some things they did. 

• representatives from 12/13 colonies met in Philadelphia where they first pledged loyalty to King George 

• anything they passed is copied and sent to the Parliament and king

• established Continental Association which enforced boycotts across colonies

• colonies asked to raise and train local militia

• Parliament denied all requests by colonies because of their beliefs as they continuously fail to recognize the colonists’ ideological argument

the Continental Congress passed the Declaration of American Rights. what did it state?

• it declared rights of English citizens

• denied Parliaments authority over internal affairs

• colonists determine need for troops

• want Coercive Acts taken away and to go back to salutary neglect

what was the Battle of Lexington and Concord in April 1775? what followed the battles?

• these were the first battles of American Revolution which ended hope for a peace revolution

• Boston remained under occupation

• after the battles, a meeting with the 2nd Continental Congress was held in Philadelphia where all colonies were present 

what did the 2nd Continental Congress do?

• assumed role of revolutionary government and made decisions for the colonies to follow

• they established the Continental Army

• sent Olive Branch Petition to Britain as a last chance of peace, to explain themselves, and desire for the Coercive Acts to be repealed and to go back to salutary neglect 

how did Britain react to the Olive Branch Petition?

• King George III and the Parliament reject all notions of peace and reconciliations

• closed all commerce in British North America

• hired mercenaries (Hessians) to fight in America

explain the Battle at Bunkerhill in June 1775.

• Massachusetts

• British victory, but moral victory for the Americans 

what was “Common Sense”? what were the effects of it?

• pamphlet written by Thomas Paine in 1776 that changed the course of history by attacking allegiance to a monarch, concepts of absolute power, and inherited rule

• colonists’ anger was turned towards to the king 

• saw independence as the only option because king and Parliament will never change 

• independence was strongly supported and states began to declare independence themselves 

• wrote Declaration of Independence

America became divided into 3 different groups. what were they?

• patriots — want independence

• fence-sitters — unsure

• loyalists — loyal to the king 

what did the Continental Congress turn into by 1776?

Congress

who was Richard Henry Le and Thomas Jefferson?

• Richard Henry Le — introduced resolution of independence

• Thomas Jefferson — tasked with writing formal declaration 

• both from Virginia 

why was July 2nd and 4th significant?

• July 2nd — Lee’s resolution passed 

• July 4th — Thomas Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence was adopted by Congress 

what were some stirring statements of human rights discussed in the Declaration of Independence?

• life, liberty, pursuit of happiness without any interference, social contract

• establishment of USA

the USA was started in division because…?

of slavery (north vs. south)

what was the point of the war in 1776-1783? what were disadvantages and advantages?

• to secure independence

• British disadvantage because of the distance, vast area, and unpopular war

• American advantage because it was homefield and had a will to win, but they had a weak control government

what was the Battle of Trenton?

• New Jersey 

• surprise attack on Hessians at Trenton after Washington crossed Delaware from Pennsylvania 

• victory saved American cause and morale

what was the Battle of Saratoga?

• New York

• US victory led by Horatio Gates

• secured French alliance with the United States 

• French troops/navy were permitted to fight until US independence was accomplished 

what was Valley Forge?

• Pennsylvania 

• NOT A BATTLE

• winter quarter for Continental Army with high morality rate 

• lack of help from central government to provide for military 

after these battles in the north, Britain turned south for…?

• loyalist sentiment 

• to push to coast of Virginia to get near supply line 

what was the Battle of Yorktown?

• Virginia i

• Washington and Continental Army surrounded Britain by land, and the French surrounded them by sea 

• end of war 

what were the effects of independence? explain. 

• Treaty of Paris 

• Britain needs to recognize US independence, so they are an individual entity and have their own government which opens them to trade

• western boundary agreed at the Mississippi River 

• Florida given back to Spain

• loyalist would receive their property back (some got rights back depending on the state)

• Britain have to leave western forts

• US granted fishing rights off the coasts of Canada

how do colonists ensure the survival of the republican form of government?

• check power with power 

explain state constitutions. 

• most allowed qualified voters to vote on new constitution 

• people who should be responsibly and care about their community agree to a form a government that must follow laws to protect their rights 

• bill of rights

• separation of powers (most authority being in the legislature)

• written during war time, so they want to limit power of one person 

• later influences federal constitution

what were the social effects of the revolution? (African Americans)

• revolutionary idealism impacted lower ranks of society

• voting privileges were extended to a degree to more white males but property requirement remained

• greatest impact was on African Americans because they are put in Continental Army and are able to fight

• number of free African Americans in North and upper South increasing

• more pride in African heritage in schools and churches

what were the social effects of the revolution? (women)

• colonial women could not vote, preach, hold office, and had no legal rights, but the revolution opened opportunities where many demanded equal treatment in the new nation with new laws

• women always wanted change and hoped new ideas and laws were brought

• argument centered on the idea that only educated women can raise children, and the idea of Republican motherhood emerged

•  minor changes in education occurred only, but no political change 

what were the Articles of Confederation?

• 1st Constitution 

• Americans perceived Parliament as overly powerful

• AoC established a weak central government 

• ratified in 1781 only after states agreed to cede western land claims to Congress, so they can sell the land for revenue

what was the Confederation?

• concept of limited government and most power went to the states 

• central government was only one branch (legislature)

• Congress was unicameral body with equal rep. of states 

• difficult to pass legislation because most laws required ¾ majority or unanimous vote 

what were the weaknesses of the national (central) government (Confederation)?

Congress could…

• pass treaties but not enforce it

• borrow money but not repay it

• raise army but not fill the ranks

• ask states but not command 

• coin money but not print it 

• no power to tax or regulate trade meaning states had tax burden and can make their own trade laws 

what were the strengths of the national (central) government (Confederation)?

• government created land policy in the west which determined expansion to the Pacific 

what was the Land Ordnance on 1785?

• each territory was divided into townships (6 miles square) and each square mile had to designate 1/16 of the section to education 

• $1 per acre and no one can afford it

• Congress making no money

what was the Northwest Ordinance of 1787?

• set policy for new states across the country

• Congress was authority in territory

• all people in territory received guarantee of rights

• every state is first a territory

• when a territory reached 5000 free adult males, it can elect legislature

• when a territory reached 60000, it could apply for statehood

• excluded slavery

what were some Confederation problems?

• states lacked uniformity regarding trade and currency 

• Congress has little authority to handle debt 

• tax burden fell on states

• economic depression

• jailed debtor

• riots began to prevent foreclosures 

what was Shay’s Rebellion? what were the effects?

• Daniel Shays led protestors against land taxes and foreclosure to armed protests at courthouses 

• popular discontent with national government 

• conversation nationalist had been advocating for a convention other than discuss a revision of the Articles 

• Congress authorized meeting in Philadelphia to discuss revision 

what was the purpose of the Constitutional Convention? what was the effect?

• fix problems, revise Articles

• start over and make a federal system of government where power is divided between national government and states 

• young delegates believed in concept of republicanism and were intent on creating a republic 

• republic needs virtue of citizenry