Road to Revolution

Coercive Acts

Coercive Acts

laws passed by the British Parliament to punish the colony of Massachusetts Bay for the Boston Tea Party

Boston Port Act

until paid for Tea - Closed

Mass. Govt Act

no elections. Everyone gets appointed; sheriffs, council members, and judges. No freedom of assembly; their new Governor will be GENERAL THOMAS GAGE….give him lots of troops too

Administration of Justice Act

trials of British soldiers and official would be transferred out of the colonial juries to Britain

Quartering Act

New and more stringent

The Quebec Act of 1774

1. Religious Freedom: The act guaranteed religious freedom to Roman Catholics in the newly acquired territory, which included Quebec. This was significant because, in most British colonies, Protestantism was the dominant and often the officially recognized religion. The act's provision allowed Catholics to freely practice their religion and hold public office without having to swear an oath renouncing their faith.

2. French Civil Law: The Quebec Act maintained the use of French civil law for private matters, such as property and inheritance, rather than imposing English common law. This recognized the existing French-speaking population and their legal customs.

3. Geographical Expansion: The act expanded the borders of the province of Quebec to include the western lands of the Ohio River Valley. This expansion was controversial, as it encroached on the claims of American colonies.

4. Colonial Government: The Quebec Act also established a more centralized form of colonial government for Quebec, which was administered by a governor and an appointed council rather than an elected assembly.

First Continental Congress – Sept 1774

As a group of colonies they agreed to boycott British goods issued the 

Declaration of Rights & Grievances  (addressed to the King.)

- Professed that they were still loyal to the King; however…

 - Condemned the Intolerable Acts…all those things in Boston and the Quebec Act with recognition of French Catholicism (who gave up the rights of Englishmen)

What are patriots?

whigs/anti-king and anti-britain

What are loyalists?

tories/pro-britian and pro king

What were massachusets and virginia?

strongly patriot

What were Georgia, Carolinas, and New York?

strongly loyalist

Benjamin Franklin

• Represented colonies as a COLONIAL AGENT

• President -  State of PA Executive Council (Governor of PA)

• Had an illegitimate Loyalist Son, William – Royal Gov. of NJ 63-76.

• Colonial Currency Cutter for multiple colonies

• Soldier in PA Militia / Turned down officer offer of Colonel

• Ambassador that negotiated peace treaty b/t G.B. and Colonies

• Abolitionist

Thomas Paine

wrote common sense publishes in Jan. 1776

• Radical – One who wants to drastically change society

• It’s a Continent not an island….Odd for an island to rule a continent

• The Distance - it is not practical

• Kings?  Hereditary rulers?  Ha! The children of past leaders with no regard.

• European entanglements – It’s their mess, not ours.

• Americans would do better on their own…trade, peace, etc.

• It is really the KING that is to blame

• Key Component - Citizens should make their own law

The Buildup of Lexington and Concord

•  In early 1775 King George III ordered General Gage to use military force to suppress any disloyalty to the crown. (the new military gov.)

• Gage decides to go after revolutionaries John Hancock and Sam Adams at Lexington, as well as a munitions dump in Concord.

• Paul Revere and  William Dawes spread the warning

• Minutemen (MA. militia) were ready

Battle of Lexington

• - Apr. 18 & 19(shots), 1775 - Expedition (700) by the British to seize rebel rousers Samuel Adams and John Hancock at Lexington and to destroy military stores at Concord. 

• Apr. 19, 1775 – Fugitives, Sam Adams and John Hancock set out for Philadelphia to attend the Second Continental Congress -May 10 .  They are received with great honor everywhere along the way….Already very well known.

• British fight their way back to Boston amidst hit and run tactics (guerilla warfare) of the militia. Many casualties (approx. 275 – Killed, wounded, missing)

• Militia from all over New England race to help out and then surround Boston

• Parliament declares MA in a state of rebellion April– Recall VA in state of rebellion (Nov 1775)

Paul Revere

• express courier

• Lexington and Concord - the Midnight Ride

• Rides out to warn Hancock and Adams...captured but then escapes or is released.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

wrote a poem abt Paul Reveres Midnight Ride in January 1861

benedict arnold personality

• kind and compassionate to his men

• gets right to the fight

• quick to anger

when was battle of sratoga?

oct 17,1777

benedict arnold movie

• he film opens with Benedict Arnold as a respected military leader in the American Revolutionary War. He plays a key role in the early battles and is known for his bravery and leadership.

• Arnold's relationship with George Washington is showcased. Washington sees potential in Arnold and values his military skills, considering him a friend and confidant.

• Arnold's personal life is introduced. He is shown as financially troubled, with mounting debts and unresolved grievances against the Continental Congress. He feels underappreciated for his sacrifices.

• As the war progresses, Arnold's frustration grows. He attempts to secure financial and political support from the Continental Congress, but his pleas are largely ignored.

• Arnold's sense of unfulfilled ambition and resentment toward the American leadership deepens. He becomes increasingly disillusioned with the American cause and begins to consider other options.

• Peggy Shippen, a woman from a Loyalist family, enters Arnold's life. They develop a romantic relationship, and she becomes a key figure in his life. Her Loyalist connections and influence on Arnold's decision-making are explored.

• Arnold's financial troubles continue, and he becomes desperate to secure his future. These personal struggles further fuel his disillusionment with the American cause.

• Arnold enters into secret negotiations with the British, particularly with British Major John André. He agrees to hand over the strategic fort of West Point to the British, which would be a significant blow to the American forces.

• The American authorities, including George Washington, begin to suspect Arnold's intentions and launch an investigation. Suspicion falls on Arnold, and his plot is discovered.

• In a tense and dramatic scene, Arnold narrowly escapes capture by the American authorities and flees to the British lines. He is welcomed as a hero by the British, including General Sir Henry Clinton.

• The news of Arnold's betrayal shocks the American leaders, and his name becomes synonymous with treachery in American history. George Washington is deeply hurt and disappointed by the actions of his former friend.

• Arnold's decision to betray the American cause is explored in the context of his personal and political conflicts. The film portrays him as a deeply complex character whose choices are driven by a mix of ambition, disillusionment, and personal relationships.

• The film concludes with Arnold as a British officer, but his actions haunt him, as he realizes that he will forever be remembered for his betrayal.