Causes of the American Revolution 1763-1776

What was Pontiac’s rebellion and how was it dealt with? (1762-64)

• Chief Pontiac of the Ottawa tribe feared more land being taken by the settlers and led a revolt, destroying most of the British ports west of Niagara, killing and capturing settlers.

• British forces eventually retaliated and bribed members of the Iroquois away from Pontiac and other tribes to stay neutral. The British paid for further soldiers to finally defeat the Native Americans.

What was the 1763 Proclamation?

The British Government declared that colonist settlement was to be a line by the Appalachians, any land west of that would not be counted

This was a temporary line to appease Native Americans and halt the fighting

Was the Proclamation line a success and what problems did it lead to?

It angered the colonies, especially Virginia which had claims to Western lands, it also angered frontiersmen and speculators, this is because the colonists were promised western land if they helped remove France from America and some settlers were already set out in the west when this line was declared

30,000 American settlers ignored this line and moved west 5 years later after the proclamation in search of new lands

The proclamation line broke down by 1768 and Britain accepted this as it was aware it was difficult to enforce

Not Successful

Which reforms did Grenville introduce in 1763?

• Custom officials now had to live in America

• Court cases involving smuggling was now transferred to a court in Nova Scotia

What was Grenville’s 1764 Sugar Act?

Reduced tax to be paid on foreign molasses from 6d to 3d, although it was a reduction, it was more rigorously enforced than before, which prevented smuggling→ this angered the colonists

Any official accepting a bribe would face a £500 fine and disqualification from their post

→ act only affects New England

What was Grenville’s 1764 Currency Act?

Banned colonial paper money because British merchants preferred the use of British Sterling

Why was there concerns over British control after the sugar tax?

The sugar act represented a fundamental revision in the relationship between Britain and the colonies by imposing taxes to raise revenue

Colonists wondered if they were able to get taxed whilst having no political representation in Parliament, concerns to what extent Britain would go to

What did the influence of John Wilkes have on the American colonists?

• He was a radical British MP who demanded freedom of the press and a more democratic Parliament

• In 1763, he had criticised the King and accused his ministers of being the “tools of deposition and corruption”- he was arrested and imprisoned

• British government seemed to be trampling on American liberty, John Wilkes seen as a hero for the Colonists

What opposition was there to the 1764 Sugar Tax?

By 1765, 9 colonial assemblies had sent messages to London arguing that Parliament had abused its powers by introducing the Sugar Tax, while conceding Parliament’s right to regulate trading, they did not accept its right to tax in order to raise revenue in America

Who was James Otis, and how did he oppose the Sugar Tax?

A member of a prominent Massachusetts family, published an influential pamphlet in 1764, where he criticised Parliament’s new aggressiveness towards the colonies and asserted that there should be no taxation in America without the people’s consent

What was the Stamp Act 1765, and how much money was raised from this and where was it aimed to?

A requirement of a stamp (paid for as a tax) to be affixed to most formally written or printed documents e.g. newspapers, marriage licenses, legal documents, playing cards etc.

The money raised (approx. £60,000) was to be spent on colonial defence

Why did the Stamp Act 1765 produce a larger reaction in America than the sugar tax?

Whereas the Sugar Tax only affected New England, the Stamp Act applied universally, antagonising some of the most influential groups such as lawyers, printers, tavern keepers etc.

The first tax levied by Parliament on the colonists was seen as dangerous and unjustified, raised concerns on whether American colonists could be taxed without representation

What was the Virginia Resolves in relation to the Stamp Act, and how did it increase the idea for independence?

• Patrick Henry introduced to the Virginia assembly in 1765, 7 resolutions attacking the stamp act, threatening resistance→ 39 Burgess adopted 5 of the mildest resolutions e.g. Colonists had the same rights as Englishmen

• The impression was given that Virginia had rejected the Stamp Act and sanctioned open resistance if Britain tried to enforce it through the newspapers communicated through the colonies

What was the Stamp Act Congress in relation to the Stamp Act, and how did it increase the idea for independence?

• In June 1765, Massachusetts assembly suggested an inter-colonial meeting be held to draft a set of resolutions which showed the common colonial position→ 27 delegates from 9 colonies attended

• The stamp act was denounced as “a manifest tendency to subvert rights and liberties of the colonists”, claimed only their own legislation could impose a tax on them- united the colonies to an extent

What were the Ideological debates in relation to the Stamp Act, and how did it increase the idea for independence?

• Colonists not prepared to accept taxation without representation. Many believed the government was by its nature, oppressive and encroached individual rights. Saw the Stamp Act as depriving American liberty

• The ministers, Bute and now Grenville were seen as villains, the British army in America were seen as oppressing the colonies

What were the Popular Protests in relation to the Stamp Act, and how did it increase the idea for independence?

• People in crowds turned the situation into a movement from a debate. Sustained popular military that developed in most American towns by 1765

• Gangs, unskilled workers, sailors and apprentices had united against the act, shifting the debate into a movement

What was the Mob Action in relation to the Stamp Act, and how did it increase the idea for independence?

• On 14 August, Oliver and Bute statues were hung from the Liberty Tree in Boston

• A mob tore down Oliver’s office and destroyed his house, leading Oliver to resign from stamp distribution

• On 26 August, a Boston crowd damaged houses of 2 British officials

• Crowd action spread throughout the colonies and lead to officials resigning, nullifying the act as it couldn’t be enforced

• Governor Bernard created a militia to put down the mob

Who were the Sons of Liberty in relation to the Stamp Act, and how did it increase the idea for independence?

• Autumn 1765, the men directing the crowd action belonged to a semi-secret society- Sons of Liberty, including members of the elites and dissident intellectuals

• Samuel Adams and Otis were key leaders

• Their influence were possibly exaggerated as they were far from united, they had limited influence on Southern colonies and only orchestrated urban movement (5% of america)

What were the Economic sanctions in relation to the Stamp Act, and how did it increase the idea for independence?

• Sons of Liberty appealed to the public to not buy British goods, in October 1765, leading merchants in New York signed an agreement not to import goods from Britain until the Stamp Act was repealed

• Many Americans boycotted British goods which affected Britain’s trade and therefore showing that America does not need to rely on Britain anymore

When was Grenville replaced by Marquis of Rockingham and what was his aims in relation to taxing Americans?

July 1765,

Rockingham wanted to see Parliament’s sovereignty upheld, but opposed the taxation on colonies to be boldly asserted, and instead wanted to implement some rights or to exercise the taxation with discretion

Did the British want the Stamp Act repealled?

• Many British MPs, horrified by the mob action did not want Britain to repeal the stamp act as it would show British weakness

• British merchants and manufacturers, damaged by the colonial boycott of British goods, wanted the government to repeal the act

• General Gage, commander in chief of the colonies said the stamp act could not be enforced without more military support

How did the Stamp Act get repealed and when?

In January 1766, the Commons debated on the repeal of the Stamp Act, Grenville supported his measure whilst Pitt opposed it, saying “the kingdom has no right to lay a tax upon the colonies”

Stamp Act was repealed in March 1766 (275 votes to 167 votes)

What was the 1766 Declaratory Act?

Most British MPs only voted in favour of repeal of the Stamp act to stop the colonists damaging the British economy. The British government whilst abandoning the Stamp act, did not surrender their constitutional principle of Parliamentary Sovereignty

Declaratory Act asserted “Colonies were subordinate to the Crown and Parliament of Great Britain, and Parliament had full authority to make laws to bind the colonies and people of America”

What was the effects of the Stamp Act crisis?

• News of the repeal was received rapidly and non-importation was abandoned and the Sons of Liberty disbanded

• The Americans were implicitly denying Britain’s ability to govern them, practically demanding independence→Colonists only recognised a connection to the King

• Stamp act brought colonies closer together, and suggested British authority could be defied by colonial unity

• Colonies sent letters to the King thanking him for the appeal

What were the Townshend duties?

• Townshend (Chancellor of the Ex-Chequer) introduced new duties (tax) in 1767 on glass, wine, china, lead, paint, paper and tea.

• As these were external taxes (regarding trade) unlike internal taxes like the stamp act the British government thought it would be accepted

• Townshend intended to raise the money to pay the salaries of governors and judges, so they were not dependent on the colonies

• He introduced the American board of customs commissioners (tax collectors) based in Boston, directly responsible to Britain

Why did the colonists oppose the Townshend duties?

The colonists opposed to the duty as there was no consultation with the colonies, as well as being imposed a tax when they had no representation in Parliament

What was the Mutiny (Quartering) Act 1765?

Colonial assemblies had to provide accommodation for British troops when needed

What was the New York Restraining Act in 1767?

• New York objected to the 1765 Quartering Act (New York had a British army Headquarters base)

• Townshend then introduced the New York Restraining Act, meaning New York’s assembly could not take legislative action until they agreed with the act

• As New York had little support from the other colonies (lack of unity), they were forced to accept the Quartering Act

Why did New York oppose the New York Restraining Act and the Quartering Act?

The colonists disliked the notion that Parliament could suspend or change them at will

There were also concerns over property rights

What was the reaction to Townshend’s policies in terms of intellectual response (Dickinson)?

• John Dickinson wrote the most influential attack on Townshend’s measures- “letters of a Pennsylvania farmer” was printed in most colonial newspapers. Dickinson argued that Parliament can regulate the colonies’ trade but cannot tax them without their consent

• Dickinson also condemned the suppression of New York assembly as a blow to colonial liberty which united the colonies due to its mass communication

• Other writers suggested Townshend’s measures would strengthen the executive and make colonial governments less accountable

What was the reaction to Townshend’s policies in terms of Political response (circular letters from Samuel Adams and Otis)?

• Feb 1786, Massachusetts assembly sent out a circular letter (made by Otis and Adams) denouncing the Townshend duties for violating the principles of “no taxation without representation” and appealing to other colonies for similar action

• The document was branded as seditious by Governor Bernard.

• 7 colonial assemblies quickly approved this letter. Virginia’s house of Burgesses went further and issued a circular letter of their own, advocating joint measures by the colonies against British actions→ united the colonies

• Sons of Liberty movement received throughout colonies to co-ordinate opposition

What was the reaction to Townshend’s policies in terms of economic response (British goods boycott)?

• 1768, Boston organised a new economic boycott against Britain. Other towns followed

• Many merchants opposed non-importation so the boycott was never totally watertight

• By 1769, every colony except New Hampshire had pledged organisations to boycott British goods

Was the Boycott of British goods in 1769 effective and how was it enforced?

• Individuals agreed to not purchase British products e.g. American housewives stopped serving British tea

• Non-importation spurred home manufacturing as an alternative

• Popular activity for effective action among ordinary people

• Unofficial bodies such as Committees of Inspection were set up in most colonies to enforce non-importation. Merchants who didn’t comply had their warehouses broken into and their goods damaged

• Non-importation strengthened American morale

Why was there unrest in Boston in terms of the American Board of Customs Commissioners?

• Placing the American Board of Customs Commissioners in Boston proved to be a major error. Since November 1767, they were targets of popular wrath

• There were too few customs men to stop smuggling, unable to carry out their duties, the commissioners sought help from the Navy

• June 1768, 50-gunned warship (Romney) sailed into Boston, and the commissioners seized a small vessel (Liberty) belonging to a leading radical John Hancock (a wealthy leader of opposition to Britain)

• A mob soon marched to the wharf and a scuffle began with the customs men

• Customs officials were forced to take refuge in Castle William due to the threats, by the summer of 1768, the Sons of Liberty controlled Boston which unified the colonies

What was the Wilkesite movement?

• In 1768, John Wilkes returned to England from France, he was arrested and imprisoned for 22 months.

• In May 1768, 30,000 people gathered near the prison he was held at in London demanding his release. Troops fired into the crowd, killing 6

• While in prison, Wilkes was elected to Parliament 3 times before he was expelled for libel. On the 4th try, the Commons illegally installed a rival.

• Wilkes’ treatment was well reported in colonial newspapers, suggesting to Americans that the British government was pursuing a programme to supress liberty in both England and America

• In 1769, South Carolina’s assembly donated £1500 to Wilkes’ cause.

What led to the Boston Massacre relating to Massachusetts assembly refusing to withdraw their circular letters they had sent to the other colonies?

• The First colonial secretary, Earl of Hillsborough ordered Governor Bernard to demand the Massachusetts assembly to withdraw the circular letter they had sent to the other colonies

• They refused and the assembly was dissolved

• This led to the Sons of Liberty, led by Sam Adams and Otis to organise meetings and marches against the British

• Revolutionary armies in Boston attacked British troops, damaged houses of commissioners

• Brawls and fights between Bostonians and the British was common, Boston was strongly opposed to British rule

What was the Boston Massacre?

• 22 Feb 1770- A suspected customs informer killed an 11 year old boy during a riot. The sons of Liberty turned the funeral into a political demonstration (5000 Bostonians attended)

• 2 March 1770- Workers at a rope factory attacked some soldiers seeking jobs: a pitch battle ensued

• 5 March 1770- A detachment of British soldiers guarding the customs house was attacked by a mob hurling hand-packed snowballs. The troops under extreme provocation by the outnumbering Bostonians, opened fire and killed 5.

How was the Boston massacre portrayed by Sam Adams and were any of the British officers convicted?

• Sam Adam’s political machine gave the impression that there had been a deliberate measure to open fire on the Bostonians, which was accepted by Most Americans.

• Paul Revere’s image was circulated around the colonies, suggesting that Britain’s tyrannical rule caused a massacre of innocent Bostonians

• 8 of the soldiers were eventually brought to trial. 6 were acquitted after the skilful defence by John Adams (Sam Adam’s cousin) and 2 were found guilty of manslaughter but were later released

How was the repeal of the Townshend duties carried out?

• The British government was concerned by events in the colonies. The Townshend duties, which had stirred up riots etc. had little financial sense, failing to raise revenue and also penalising British exports

• Grafton decided that the duties should be repealed, when Grafton resigned in January 1770, the new PM, Lord North, repealed all the duties except tea to “mark supremacy of Parliament” in March 1770

How was British and American relations after the repeal of the Townshend duties?

New York quickly abandoned non-importation

3 years of Anglo-American trade resumed and colonial prosperity returned

What were Committees of Correspondence in 1771 and were they effective?

• In 1771, the Boston town meeting at Sam Adam’s behest created a Committee of Correspondence which was to communicate colonial grievances throughout Massachusetts

• By mid 1773, 50 Massachusetts towns had their own committees

• By February 1774, every colony except Pennsylvania and North Carolina had committees

• In the event of another crisis, the committees would ensure a rapid dissemination of information and a unified response, although the committees did not do a great deal before 1774, there was effective communication and were a focus for radical activity in each colony

How did American disunity help British control over the colonies?

From Britain’s perspective, it was good that the colonies were far from united. examples include:

• Disputes between colonies over boundaries and land claims e.g. New York and New Hampshire over Vermont

• Tensions between rich and poor in some colonies

• In 1768, the Regulator movement began in North and South Carolina. Most of the participants were back country farmers who protested against the oppression and corruption of Tidewater officials (Regulators were crushed in 1771 at the battle of Alamance, by Eastern Militia forces, 300 Regulators were killed)

What was the 1773 Tea Act?

• Act designed to help the East India Tea Company (who were nearly bankrupt)

• It meant they no longer had to pay tax for leaving India, they were given a license to sell in America

• The colonies would pay the tax when the tea came into the colonies- this was already in existence due to Townshend policies

• Britain thought this would reduce smuggling in the colonies, as this tea was cheaper than the smuggled ones that came from Holland

Why did the British think the Tea act would be accepted and why did the Americans not accept this?

• American consumers would benefit because tea would drop in price

• The East India Company would sell its vast stocks of tea to America at a healthy profit

• Britain would obtain increased duties

Why did the Americans not accept the Tea Act?

• Americans thought it was another attempt at Parliamentary taxation and destruction of their independence, as they were being directed where to buy their tea

• The measure was bitterly attacked in pamphlets and newspapers

• Violence was threatened against those merchants importing East India Company tea

• Tea sent to Philadelphia and New York was rejected and sent back to England.

• Tea agents were facing intimidation and were forced to resign

What was the Boston Tea Party?

• 28 November 1773- The ship, Dartmouth, bearing 114 chests of East India tea entered Boston harbour, the tea was consigned to 2 sons of Governor Hutchinson (Hutchinson was determined that the tea be unloaded), however most Bostonians wanted the Dartmouth to depart.

  • Thousands gathered daily to prevent the tea from being unloaded

• 2 December 1773- The Eleanor, joined the Dartmouth.

  • 2 weeks of discussion between Hutchinson and Patriot leaders resulted in a dead lock

• 15 December 1773- The Beaver arrived in Boston

• 16 December 1773- 60 Sons of Liberty, disguised as Mohawk Native Americans, directed by Sam Adams, boarded the 3 ships and threw their tea cargoes into the harbour (342 chests were lost - £10,000). A huge crowd watched in silence.

Could the Boston tea party be prevented by the British?

• Admiral Montague (Royal Navy Commander) could have ordered his nearest warship to open fire but chose not to, in order to prevent worsening the crisis

• Troops at Castle William also didn’t retaliate

What 5 acts are known as the Coercive Acts (1774)?

• Boston Port Act

• Massachusetts government Act

• Quartering Act

• Impartial Administration of Justice Act

• Quebec Act

What is the Boston Port Act?

All trade to Boston stopped until the destroyed tea had been paid for→ impacted Boston’s economy as they relied on the ports for their business

What is the Massachusetts government Act?

The governor could appoint and remove most officials, he had to approve town meetings → increased the power of the governor, moving away from democracy

What is the Quartering Act?

Powers to the army to house troops, suggested that Britain intended to put the whole of North America under authoritarian forms of government, less democratic

What is the Impartial Administration of Justice Act?

Murder trials transferred to Britain

What is the Quebec Act

Quebec was run by a governor without an assembly, meaning Quebec was under the direct rule of Britain

This was interpreted by the Colonies as being potentially tyrannical as they could implement this in the colonies aswell

What was the American reaction to the Coercive Acts?

Americans believed that these measures threatened all the colonies, despite acts being aimed at Massachusetts

March 1774, New Yorkers found East India tea on board “The Nancy”, a crowd boarded and disposed of the tea

In terms of Political leaders and opposition, what was Samuel Adam’s main ideas, publications and why was he a threat to Britain?

• He thought the British rulers were corrupt. He realised the importance of “mass protest” of starting in Massachusetts to spread ideas for Committees of Correspondence

• He was a threat because he led attacks on supporters of the Stamp Act, united gangs to work against the British and created the Sons of Liberty

• He created the circular letter against the Townshend duties and directed the Boston tea party and led opposition to the Coercive Acts

In terms of Political leaders and opposition, what was John Dickinson’s main ideas, publications and why was he a threat to Britain?

• He was a prominent leader of opposition to British measures in 1768

• Published “letters of a Pennsylvanian farmer” which attacked the Townshend duties

• Provided theoretical justification for many of the actions taken by men such as Sam Adams

• He attacked the Townshend duties and Parliament’s right to regulate tax on America without consent and criticised Britain by saying they are attacking colonial liberty

In terms of Political leaders and opposition, what was Thomas Jefferson’s main ideas, publications and why was he a threat to Britain?

• Published “Summary view of the rights of British America”, influential in moving many towards the idea of independence (first to consider independence)

• Jefferson argued that Britain had no right to exercise authority over the colonies

• He gave logical development of American independence, which started to gain support and was seen increasingly in pamphlets through America

• Later created Declaration of Independence 1776

In terms of Political leaders and opposition, what was John Adam’s main ideas, publications and why was he a threat to Britain?

• He rose to prominence through his successful, although unpopular, legal defence for British soldiers involved in the Boston Massacre

• Radical leading role in persuading Congress to declare independence

In terms of Political leaders and opposition, what was Thomas Paine’s main ideas, publications and why was he a threat to Britain?

• His pamphlet “Common Sense” sold 100,000 copies, attacking the English constitution and the idea of hereditary monarchy- encouraged America to establish a republic

• He influenced many Americans that breaking ties with Britain would be the only way to stop their abuse of American liberties

In terms of Political leaders and opposition, what was John Locke's main ideas, publications and why was he a threat to Britain?

• 1600s Philosopher, “father of Liberalism”

• He argued that ownership of a property was a key characteristic of a free man as well as life and liberty

• The stamp act can be seen violating the natural property rights, people should not have to pay tax on their property without their consent

In terms of Political leaders and opposition, what was John Wilkes’s main ideas, publications and why was he a threat to Britain?

• An editor of “Norton Briton”, who campaigned for freedom of the press and a more democratic Parliament- Radical MP

• encouraged popular demonstration in London

In terms of an Economic response to the Coercive/Intolerable Acts, how did America react?

• 13 May 1774, Boston town meeting asked all colonies to boycott British goods until Boston Port Act was repealed

• Boston Committee of correspondence drafted a solemn league and covenant (5 June) committing itself to a British boycott

• However, a trade boycott would probably harm America more than Britain and previous non-importations had been difficult to enforce

In terms of a Political response to the Coercive/Intolerable Acts, how did America react?

• Colonial assemblies, town meetings, newspapers, and other men of influence denounced the actions of the British government

• Committees of correspondence persuaded the colonists of the need to defend their liberties

• Royal Governors dissolved assemblies that seemed ready to denounce the Coercive acts and to support an economic boycott

• The Virginia house of Burgesses passed a resolution on 24 May condemning the coercive acts, the house was dissolved 2 days later

What happened on 27 May that led to extra-legal conventions?

• 89 out of 103 burgesses adopted to a non-importation agreement on 27 May and denounced the coercive acts

• It proposed that an all inter-colonial congress be called

• in the summer of 1774, 7 other colonies, where royal governors had forbidden assemblies to meet, followed Virginia's example and set up extra legal conventions → meeting in open defiance of the British authority, assuming the role of government, usually they were simply the assemblies meetings without sanction

How did America react to the coercive acts in terms of Newspapers and pamphlets?

• Numerous pamphlets defended the rights of the colonies

• In 1774, Jefferson’s “Summary on rights of British America” was mass communicated

• Pamphlets discussed openly for colonial independence