Unit 3: Period: 1754-1800
Also called the French and Indian War, it was actually one of several “wars for empire” fought between the British and the French.
The war was the inevitable result of colonial expansion, where English settlers moved into the Ohio Valley, and the French tried to stop them by building fortified outposts.
George Washington led a colonial contingent, which attacked a French outpost and lost.
Washington surrendered and was allowed to return to Virginia, where he was welcomed as a hero.
Most Native Americans in the region allied themselves with the French, who had traditionally had the best relations with Native Americans of any of the European powers.
The war dragged on for years before the English finally gained the upper hand.
When the war was over, England was the undisputed colonial power of the continent.
The treaty gave England control of Canada and almost everything east of the Mississippi Valley.
The French kept only a few small islands, underscoring the impact of mercantilism since the French prioritized two small but highly profitable islands over the large landmass of Canada.
William Pitt, the English Prime Minister during the war, was supportive of the colonists and encouraged them to join the war effort.
When the leadership in Britain changed after the war, that led to resentment by the colonists against the British rule.
Native Americans had previously been able to use French and English disputes to their own advantage, but the English victory spelled trouble for them.
The Native Americans particularly disliked the English, because English expansionism was more disruptive to their way of life.
In the aftermath of the war, the English raised the price of goods sold to the Native Americans and ceased paying rent on their western forts.
In response, Ottawa war chief Pontiac rallied a group of tribes in the Ohio Valley and attacked colonial outposts, which is known as Pontiac's Rebellion.
In response to Pontiac's Rebellion, the Paxton Boys, a group of Scots-Irish frontiersmen in Pennsylvania murdered several in the Susquehannock tribe.
Developed by Benjamin Franklin in 1754
Proposed an intercolonial government and a system for collecting taxes for the colonies' defense
Representatives from seven colonies met in Albany, New York to consider the plan
Franklin also tried to negotiate a treaty with the Iroquois
Plan was rejected by the colonies as they did not want to relinquish control of their right to tax themselves or unite under a single colonial legislature
Franklin's frustration was well publicized in a political cartoon showing a snake broken into pieces with the words "Join or Die."
Financing the war resulted in a huge debt for the British government
King George III and Prime Minister George Grenville felt that colonists should help pay the debt
Colonists believed they had fulfilled their obligation by providing soldiers
Parliament imposed new regulations and taxes on colonists
First was the Sugar Act of 1764, established new duties and provisions aimed at deterring molasses smugglers
Prior to the decade leading up to the Revolutionary War, there was little colonial resistance to previous trade and manufacturing regulations
The Sugar Act actually lowered the duty on molasses coming into the colonies from the West Indies
Angry about the new regulations being more strictly enforced and the duties being collected
Difficult for colonial shippers to avoid committing even minor violations of the Sugar Act
Violators were to be arrested and tried in vice-admiralty courts without jury deliberation
Suggested to some colonists that Parliament was overstepping its authority and violating their rights as Englishmen.
Sugar Act, Currency Act, and Proclamation of 1763 caused a great deal of discontent in the colonies
Colonists bristled at British attempts to exert greater control
End of Britain's long-standing policy of salutary neglect
Economic depression further exacerbated the situation
Colonial protest was uncoordinated and ineffective
Passed in 1765 by Parliament
Aimed at raising revenue specifically
Awakened the colonists to the likelihood of more taxes to follow
Demonstrated that colonies' tradition of self-taxation was being unjustly taken by Parliament
Broad-based tax, covering all legal documents and licenses
Affected almost everyone, particularly lawyers
Tax on goods produced within the colonies
Built on previous grievances and more forceful than any protest preceding it
Pamphlet by James Otis, called The Rights of the British Colonies Asserted and Proved, laid out the colonists’ argument against the taxes
Otis put forward the “No taxation without representation” argument
Argued for either representation in Parliament or a greater degree of self-government for the colonies
British scoffed at the notion, arguing that colonists were already represented in Parliament through the theory of virtual representation
Colonists knew that their representation would be too small to protect their interests
Wanted the right to determine their own taxes.
Opponents united in various colonies
Virginia, Patrick Henry drafted the Virginia Stamp Act Resolves, asserting colonists’ right to self-government
Boston, mobs burned customs officers in effigy, tore down a customs house, and nearly destroyed the governor’s mansion
Protest groups formed throughout the colonies, called themselves Sons of Liberty
Opposition was so effective that no duty collectors were willing to perform their job
In 1766, Parliament repealed the Stamp Act
George III replaced Prime Minister Grenville with Lord Rockingham, who had opposed the Stamp Act
Rockingham oversaw the repeal but also linked it to the passage of the Declaratory Act, which asserted British government's right to tax and legislate in all cases anywhere in the colonies
Although the colonists had won the battle over the stamp tax, they had not yet gained any ground in the war of principles over Parliament's powers in the colonies
Drafted by Charles Townshend, minister of the exchequer
Taxed goods imported directly from Britain, the first such tax in the colonies
Some of the tax collected was set aside for the payment of tax collectors, meaning that colonial assemblies could no longer withhold government officials’ wages in order to get their way
Created even more vice-admiralty courts and several new government offices to enforce the Crown’s will in the colonies
Suspended the New York legislature because it had refused to comply with a law requiring the colonists to supply British troops
Instituted writs of assistance, licenses that gave the British the power to search any place they suspected of hiding smuggled goods
Stronger than previous protests
Massachusetts Assembly sent letter (Massachusetts Circular Letter) to other assemblies asking that they protest the new measures in unison
British fanned the flames of protest by ordering the assemblies not to discuss the Massachusetts letter
Governors dissolved legislatures that discussed the letter, further infuriating colonists
Colonists held numerous rallies and organized boycotts
Sought support of “commoners” for the first time
Boycotts were most successful because they affected British merchants, who then joined the protest
Colonial women were essential in the effort to replace British imports with “American” (New England) products
After two years, Parliament repealed the Townshend
Stationed large numbers of troops in America
Made the colonists responsible for the cost of feeding and housing them
Even after the Townshend duties were repealed, the soldiers remained, particularly in Boston
Officially sent to keep the peace but heightened tensions
Detachment was huge - 4,000 men in a city of only 16,000
Soldiers sought off-hour employment and competed with colonists for jobs
On March 5, 1770, a mob pelted a group of soldiers with rock-filled snowballs
Soldiers fired on the crowd, killing five
Propaganda campaign that followed suggested that the soldiers had shot into a crowd of innocent bystanders
John Adams defended the soldiers in court, helping to establish a tradition of giving a fair trial to all who are accused
Boston Massacre shocks both sides into de-escalating rhetoric
Uneasy status quo falls into place for next two years
Colonial newspapers discuss ways to alter relationship between mother country and colonies
Very few radicals suggest independence
Things pick up in 1772 when British implement Townshend Acts (colonial administrators paid from customs revenues)
Colonists respond cautiously, setting up Committees of Correspondence to trade ideas and inform one another of political mood
Mercy Otis Warren and other writers call for revolution
John Dickinson's "Letters From a Farmer in Pennsylvania" unites colonists against Townshend Acts
British grant East India Tea Company monopoly on tea trade in colonies, colonists see new taxes imposed
Boston Tea Party results in British response with Coercive/Intolerable Acts (closes Boston Harbor, tightens control over Massachusetts government, Quartering Act)
Quebec Act (grants greater liberties to Catholics, extends boundaries of Quebec Territory) further impeding westward expansion, causing further dissatisfaction among colonists.
Convened in late 1774
All colonies except Georgia sent delegates
Represented diverse perspectives
Goal: enumerate American grievances, develop strategy for addressing grievances, formulate colonial position on relationship between royal government and colonial governments
Came up with list of laws colonists wanted repealed
Agreed to impose boycott on British goods until grievances were redressed
Formed Continental Association with towns setting up committees of observation to enforce boycott
These committees became de facto governments
Formulated limited set of parameters for acceptable Parliamentary interference in colonial affairs
Committees of observation expanded powers
Replaced British-sanctioned assemblies in many colonies
Led acts of insubordination (collecting taxes, disrupting court sessions, organizing militias and stockpiling weapons)
John Adams later commented "The Revolution was effected before the war commenced. The Revolution was in the minds and hearts of the people"
The British Underestimated the Pro-Revolutionary Movement
Government officials believed if they arrested ringleaders and confiscated weapons, violence could be averted
Dispatched troops to confiscate weapons in Concord, Massachusetts in April 1775
Troops had to pass through Lexington, where they confronted a small colonial militia (minutemen)
Someone fired a shot, which drew British return fire
Minutemen suffered 18 casualties (8 dead)
British proceeded to Concord where they faced a larger militia
Militia inflicted numerous casualties and forced British to retreat
Battle of Concord referred to as "the shot heard 'round the world"
Colonists used time to rally citizens to the cause of independence
Not all were convinced, Loyalists included government officials, devout Anglicans, merchants dependent on trade with England, religious and ethnic minorities who feared persecution by the rebels
Many enslaved people believed their chances for liberty were better with the British than with the colonists
Increase in slave insurrections dampened some Southerners' enthusiasm for revolution
Patriots were mostly white Protestant property holders and gentry, as well as urban artisans, especially in New England
Much of the rest of the population hoped the whole thing would blow over
Quakers of Pennsylvania were pacifists and wanted to avoid war.
Prepared for war by establishing a Continental Army, printing money, and creating government offices to supervise policy
Chose George Washington to lead the army because he was well-liked and a Southerner
John Dickinson and the Olive Branch Petition
Many delegates followed John Dickinson who was pushing for reconciliation with Britain using the Olive Branch Petition
Adopted by the Continental Congress on July 5, 1775
Last-ditch attempt to avoid armed conflict
King George III was not interested since he considered the colonists to be in open rebellion
One year before the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, the colonial leaders were trying to reconcile with the mother country.
Published in January 1776 by Thomas Paine, an English printer
Advocated for colonial independence and republicanism over monarchy
Sold more than 100,000 copies in its first three months
Accessible to colonists who couldn't always understand the Enlightenment-speak of the Founding Fathers
Helped swing support to the patriot cause among people who were unsure about attacking the mother country
Bigger success than James Otis's The Rights of the British Colonies Asserted and Proved
Literacy rates in New England were higher due to the Puritan legacy of teaching children to read the Bible
Nevertheless, Paine's pamphlet reached a wider audience, including those who couldn't read
Proportional equivalent of selling 13 million downloads today
Rebels were looking for a masterpiece of propaganda to rally colonists to their cause
Common Sense served as this masterpiece and helped swing support to the patriot cause.
Commissioned by the Congress in June 1776
Written by Thomas Jefferson
Enumerated the colonies' grievances against the Crown
Articulated the principle of individual liberty and government's responsibility to serve the people
Despite its flaws, it remains a powerful document
Signed on July 4, 1776
The Revolutionary War became a war for independence with the signing of the Declaration
The Declaration not only set out the colonies' complaints against the British government but also laid out the philosophical underpinnings of the revolution, most notably the assertion that all men are created equal and have certain inalienable rights
The Declaration has been considered as a seminal document in American history, and has been a source of inspiration for movements for civil rights and freedom across the world.
Occurred on October 17, 1781
Symbolic end to the American Revolution
Major British general, Cornwallis, was surrounded by the French navy and George Washington’s troops, and surrendered
Began a long period of negotiations between the American colonies and Great Britain, which would finally end the war in October of 1783
Continental Army had trouble recruiting good soldiers
Congress eventually recruited Black people, and up to 5,000 fought on the side of the rebels
Franco-American Alliance, negotiated by Ben Franklin in 1778, brought the French into the war on the side of the colonists
Treaty of Paris, signed at the end of 1783, granted the United States independence and generous territorial rights
Sent to the colonies for ratification in 1777 by the Continental Congress
The first national constitution of the United States
Intentionally created little to no central government due to fear of creating a tyrannical government
Gave the federal government no power to raise an army
Could not enforce state or individual taxation, or a military draft
Could not regulate trade among the states or international trade
Had no executive or judicial branch
Legislative branch gave each state one vote, regardless of the state's population
In order to pass a law, 9 of the 13 of the states had to agree
In order to amend or change the Articles, unanimous approval was needed
These limitations hurt the colonies during Shays's Rebellion.
Eventually, the limitations of the Articles of Confederation led to the drafting of the Constitution of the United States.
By 1787,
The federal government lacked sufficient authority under the Articles of Confederation.
Alexander Hamilton was concerned about no uniform commercial policy and fear for the survival of the new republic.
Hamilton convened the meeting -Only five delegates showed up
Congress consented to a "meeting in Philadelphia" for the sole purpose of revising the Articles of Confederation.
Delegates from all states except Rhode Island attended the meeting.
Meeting took place during the long, hot summer of 1787.
55 delegates
All men
All white
Many wealthy lawyers or landowners
Many owned enslaved people
Came from different ideological backgrounds
Called for modifications to Articles of Confederation
Called for equal representation from each state
Proposed by James Madison
Called for new government based on principle of checks and balances
Number of representatives for each state based on population
Executive branch led by president
Legislative branch composed of bicameral Congress
Judicial branch composed of Supreme Court
Expanded powers:
Enforce federal taxation
Regulate trade between states
Regulate international trade
Coin and borrow money
Create postal service
Authorize military draft
Declare war
Indirectly chosen by Electoral College
College composed of political leaders representing popular vote of each state
To win state's electoral votes, candidate must win majority of popular vote in that state
State's electoral count is sum of senators and representatives (determined by population)
Gives states with larger populations more power in presidential elections
Lasted 4 months
Delegates hammered out compromises
Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise) blended NJ and VA plans for bicameral legislature
Constitution established:
House of Representatives elected by people
Senate elected by state legislatures
President and VP elected by Electoral College
Three branches of government: executive, legislative, judicial
Power of checks and balances
Method for counting enslaved people in southern states for "proportional" representation in Congress
Enslaved people counted as 3/5 of a person
Only three of 42 remaining delegates refused to sign
Two refused because it did not include a bill of rights.
Not guaranteed
Opponents (Anti-Federalists) portrayed federal government as all-powerful beast
Anti-Federalists came from backcountry and were particularly appalled by absence of bill of rights
Position resonated in state legislatures where fate of Constitution lay
Some held out for promise of immediate addition of Bill of Rights upon ratification
Forcefully and persuasively argued in Federalist Papers
Papers anonymously authored by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay
Published in New York newspaper and later widely circulated
Critical in swaying opinion in New York, a large and important state
Other important states of the era: Virginia, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts
Went into effect in 1789
Bill of Rights added in 1791
Unanimously chosen by Electoral College
Not sought presidency, but most popular figure in colonies
Accepted role out of sense of obligation
Exercised authority with care and restraint
Used veto only if convinced bill was unconstitutional
Comfortable delegating responsibility, created government of best minds of his time
Created a cabinet (not specifically granted in Constitution but every president since has had one)
Cabinet is made up of heads of executive departments, functions as president's chief group of advisors
Thomas Jefferson as secretary of state
Alexander Hamilton as secretary of the treasury
Disagreed on proper relationship between federal and state government
Hamilton favored strong central government, weaker state governments
Jefferson feared monarchy/tyranny, favored weaker federal government with main powers of defense and international commerce
Hamilton proposed National Bank to help regulate and strengthen economy
Both houses of Congress approved but Washington uncertain of constitutionality
Debate established two main schools of thought on constitutional law
Strict constructionists (led by Jefferson and Madison) argued bank not necessary and thus beyond national government's powers
Hamilton (broad constructionist) argued bank implied power of government and not explicitly forbidden by Constitution
Washington agreed with Hamilton and signed bill
Busy and successful tenure
Handled national debt accrued during war
Financial plan called for federal government to assume states' debts, repay by giving debt holders land on western frontier
Plan favored northern banks and drew accusations of helping monied elite at expense of working classes
Struck political deal to get most of plan implemented, concession was southern location for nation's capital
Capital moved to Washington D.C. in 1800
Took place during Washington's presidency
Caused considerable debate between Jefferson and Hamilton
Jefferson supported revolution and republican ideals
Hamilton had aristocratic leanings, disliked revolutionaries
Issue came to forefront when France and England resumed hostilities
British were primary trading partner after war, nudged U.S. toward neutrality in French-English conflict
Jefferson agreed on neutrality as correct course to follow
Washington declared U.S. intention to remain "friendly and impartial" (Neutrality Proclamation)
Genêt's visit sparked rallies by American supporters of the revolution
Federalists (favoring strong federal government)
Republicans/Democratic-Republicans (followers of Jefferson)
Development of political parties troubled framers of the Constitution, seen as factions dangerous to survival of Republic
Federalists who supported ratification of the Constitution are often the same people as Federalists who favored strong federal government.
Republican party created in 1850s is a very different group which still survives today.
Implemented excise tax on whiskey to raise revenue
Farmers in western Pennsylvania resisted, instigating Whiskey Rebellion
Washington dispatched militia to disperse rebels, demonstrated new government's power to respond
Rebellion highlighted class tensions between inland farmers and coastal elites
Negotiated by John Jay to address British evacuation of NW and free trade violations
Prevented war with Great Britain, but considered too many concessions towards British
Congress attempted to withhold funding to enforce treaty
Washington refused to submit documents, establishing precedent of executive privilege
Considered low point of Washington's administration
Negotiated by Thomas Pinckney with Spain, addressing use of Mississippi River, duty-free access to markets, and removal of Spanish forts on American soil
Spain promised to try to prevent Native American attacks on Western settlers
Ratified by U.S. Senate in 1796, considered high point of Washington's administration
Declined to run for third term, set final precedent
Composed in part by Alexander Hamilton
Warned future presidents against "permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world"
Promoted notion of friendly relationships with all nations, but avoiding permanent alliances
Warning remained prominent part of American foreign policy through mid-20th century
During the 1790s, women’s roles in courtship, marriage, and motherhood were reevaluated in light of the new republic and its ideals
Women were largely excluded from political activity but had an important civil role and responsibility
Women were to be the teachers and producers of virtuous male citizens
Public virtue had been a strictly masculine quality in the past, private virtue emerged as a very important quality for women
Women were given the task of inspiring and teaching men to be good citizens through romance and motherhood
Women were to entertain only suitors with good morals, providing more incentive for men to be more ethical
Women held a tremendous influence on their son
Advocates for female education spoke out, arguing that educated women would be better mothers, who would produce better citizens
Even though the obligations of women had grown to include this new political meaning, traditional gender roles were largely unchanged as the education of women was meant only in service to husbands and family
The idea of Republican Motherhood emerged in the early 1800s
The role of the mother became more prominent in child-rearing
Mothers were now expected to raise educated children who would contribute positively to the United States.
The Electoral College selected John Adams, a Federalist, as Washington’s successor
Under the then-current rules, the second-place candidate became vice president, so Adams’s vice president was the Democratic-Republican Thomas Jefferson
Following the Washington Era, Adams’s presidency was bound to be an anticlimax
Adams, argumentative and elitist, was a difficult man to like
He was also a hands-off administrator, often allowing Jefferson’s political rival Alexander Hamilton to take charge
The animosity between Jefferson and Hamilton and the growing belligerence between the Federalists and Democratic-Republicans set the ugly, divisive tone for Adams’s term
Perhaps Adams’s greatest achievement was avoiding all-out war with France
After the United States signed the Jay Treaty with Britain, France began seizing American ships on the open seas
Adams sent three diplomats to Paris, where French officials demanded a huge bribe before they would allow negotiations even to begin
The diplomats returned home, and Adams published their written report in the newspapers
Because he deleted the French officials’ names and replaced them with the letters X, Y, and Z, the incident became known as the XYZ Affair
As a result, popular sentiment did a complete turnaround; formerly pro-French, the public became vehemently anti-French to the point that a declaration of war seemed possible
Aware of how small the American military was, Adams avoided the war (a war Hamilton wanted) and negotiated a settlement with a contrite France although he was not able to avoid the Naval skirmishes called the Quasi-War
The low point of Adams’s tenure was the passage and enforcement of the Alien and Sedition Acts
The acts allowed the government to forcibly expel foreigners and to jail newspaper editors for “scandalous and malicious writing”
The acts were purely political, aimed at destroying new immigrants’—especially French immigrants’—support for the Democratic-Republicans
Worst of all, the Sedition Act, which strictly regulated antigovernment speech, was a clear violation of the First Amendment
Vice President Jefferson led the opposition to the Alien and Sedition Acts
Together with Madison, he drafted the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions (which were technically anonymous)
The resolutions argued that the states had the right to judge the constitutionality of federal laws
The resolutions went on to exercise this authority they claimed, later referred to as nullification, by declaring the Alien and Sedition Acts void
Virginia and Kentucky, however, never prevented enforcement of the laws
Rather, Jefferson used the laws and the resolutions as key issues in his 1800 campaign for the presidency
Even today, states often pass resolutions similar to these to express their displeasure with the federal government.
Also called the French and Indian War, it was actually one of several “wars for empire” fought between the British and the French.
The war was the inevitable result of colonial expansion, where English settlers moved into the Ohio Valley, and the French tried to stop them by building fortified outposts.
George Washington led a colonial contingent, which attacked a French outpost and lost.
Washington surrendered and was allowed to return to Virginia, where he was welcomed as a hero.
Most Native Americans in the region allied themselves with the French, who had traditionally had the best relations with Native Americans of any of the European powers.
The war dragged on for years before the English finally gained the upper hand.
When the war was over, England was the undisputed colonial power of the continent.
The treaty gave England control of Canada and almost everything east of the Mississippi Valley.
The French kept only a few small islands, underscoring the impact of mercantilism since the French prioritized two small but highly profitable islands over the large landmass of Canada.
William Pitt, the English Prime Minister during the war, was supportive of the colonists and encouraged them to join the war effort.
When the leadership in Britain changed after the war, that led to resentment by the colonists against the British rule.
Native Americans had previously been able to use French and English disputes to their own advantage, but the English victory spelled trouble for them.
The Native Americans particularly disliked the English, because English expansionism was more disruptive to their way of life.
In the aftermath of the war, the English raised the price of goods sold to the Native Americans and ceased paying rent on their western forts.
In response, Ottawa war chief Pontiac rallied a group of tribes in the Ohio Valley and attacked colonial outposts, which is known as Pontiac's Rebellion.
In response to Pontiac's Rebellion, the Paxton Boys, a group of Scots-Irish frontiersmen in Pennsylvania murdered several in the Susquehannock tribe.
Developed by Benjamin Franklin in 1754
Proposed an intercolonial government and a system for collecting taxes for the colonies' defense
Representatives from seven colonies met in Albany, New York to consider the plan
Franklin also tried to negotiate a treaty with the Iroquois
Plan was rejected by the colonies as they did not want to relinquish control of their right to tax themselves or unite under a single colonial legislature
Franklin's frustration was well publicized in a political cartoon showing a snake broken into pieces with the words "Join or Die."
Financing the war resulted in a huge debt for the British government
King George III and Prime Minister George Grenville felt that colonists should help pay the debt
Colonists believed they had fulfilled their obligation by providing soldiers
Parliament imposed new regulations and taxes on colonists
First was the Sugar Act of 1764, established new duties and provisions aimed at deterring molasses smugglers
Prior to the decade leading up to the Revolutionary War, there was little colonial resistance to previous trade and manufacturing regulations
The Sugar Act actually lowered the duty on molasses coming into the colonies from the West Indies
Angry about the new regulations being more strictly enforced and the duties being collected
Difficult for colonial shippers to avoid committing even minor violations of the Sugar Act
Violators were to be arrested and tried in vice-admiralty courts without jury deliberation
Suggested to some colonists that Parliament was overstepping its authority and violating their rights as Englishmen.
Sugar Act, Currency Act, and Proclamation of 1763 caused a great deal of discontent in the colonies
Colonists bristled at British attempts to exert greater control
End of Britain's long-standing policy of salutary neglect
Economic depression further exacerbated the situation
Colonial protest was uncoordinated and ineffective
Passed in 1765 by Parliament
Aimed at raising revenue specifically
Awakened the colonists to the likelihood of more taxes to follow
Demonstrated that colonies' tradition of self-taxation was being unjustly taken by Parliament
Broad-based tax, covering all legal documents and licenses
Affected almost everyone, particularly lawyers
Tax on goods produced within the colonies
Built on previous grievances and more forceful than any protest preceding it
Pamphlet by James Otis, called The Rights of the British Colonies Asserted and Proved, laid out the colonists’ argument against the taxes
Otis put forward the “No taxation without representation” argument
Argued for either representation in Parliament or a greater degree of self-government for the colonies
British scoffed at the notion, arguing that colonists were already represented in Parliament through the theory of virtual representation
Colonists knew that their representation would be too small to protect their interests
Wanted the right to determine their own taxes.
Opponents united in various colonies
Virginia, Patrick Henry drafted the Virginia Stamp Act Resolves, asserting colonists’ right to self-government
Boston, mobs burned customs officers in effigy, tore down a customs house, and nearly destroyed the governor’s mansion
Protest groups formed throughout the colonies, called themselves Sons of Liberty
Opposition was so effective that no duty collectors were willing to perform their job
In 1766, Parliament repealed the Stamp Act
George III replaced Prime Minister Grenville with Lord Rockingham, who had opposed the Stamp Act
Rockingham oversaw the repeal but also linked it to the passage of the Declaratory Act, which asserted British government's right to tax and legislate in all cases anywhere in the colonies
Although the colonists had won the battle over the stamp tax, they had not yet gained any ground in the war of principles over Parliament's powers in the colonies
Drafted by Charles Townshend, minister of the exchequer
Taxed goods imported directly from Britain, the first such tax in the colonies
Some of the tax collected was set aside for the payment of tax collectors, meaning that colonial assemblies could no longer withhold government officials’ wages in order to get their way
Created even more vice-admiralty courts and several new government offices to enforce the Crown’s will in the colonies
Suspended the New York legislature because it had refused to comply with a law requiring the colonists to supply British troops
Instituted writs of assistance, licenses that gave the British the power to search any place they suspected of hiding smuggled goods
Stronger than previous protests
Massachusetts Assembly sent letter (Massachusetts Circular Letter) to other assemblies asking that they protest the new measures in unison
British fanned the flames of protest by ordering the assemblies not to discuss the Massachusetts letter
Governors dissolved legislatures that discussed the letter, further infuriating colonists
Colonists held numerous rallies and organized boycotts
Sought support of “commoners” for the first time
Boycotts were most successful because they affected British merchants, who then joined the protest
Colonial women were essential in the effort to replace British imports with “American” (New England) products
After two years, Parliament repealed the Townshend
Stationed large numbers of troops in America
Made the colonists responsible for the cost of feeding and housing them
Even after the Townshend duties were repealed, the soldiers remained, particularly in Boston
Officially sent to keep the peace but heightened tensions
Detachment was huge - 4,000 men in a city of only 16,000
Soldiers sought off-hour employment and competed with colonists for jobs
On March 5, 1770, a mob pelted a group of soldiers with rock-filled snowballs
Soldiers fired on the crowd, killing five
Propaganda campaign that followed suggested that the soldiers had shot into a crowd of innocent bystanders
John Adams defended the soldiers in court, helping to establish a tradition of giving a fair trial to all who are accused
Boston Massacre shocks both sides into de-escalating rhetoric
Uneasy status quo falls into place for next two years
Colonial newspapers discuss ways to alter relationship between mother country and colonies
Very few radicals suggest independence
Things pick up in 1772 when British implement Townshend Acts (colonial administrators paid from customs revenues)
Colonists respond cautiously, setting up Committees of Correspondence to trade ideas and inform one another of political mood
Mercy Otis Warren and other writers call for revolution
John Dickinson's "Letters From a Farmer in Pennsylvania" unites colonists against Townshend Acts
British grant East India Tea Company monopoly on tea trade in colonies, colonists see new taxes imposed
Boston Tea Party results in British response with Coercive/Intolerable Acts (closes Boston Harbor, tightens control over Massachusetts government, Quartering Act)
Quebec Act (grants greater liberties to Catholics, extends boundaries of Quebec Territory) further impeding westward expansion, causing further dissatisfaction among colonists.
Convened in late 1774
All colonies except Georgia sent delegates
Represented diverse perspectives
Goal: enumerate American grievances, develop strategy for addressing grievances, formulate colonial position on relationship between royal government and colonial governments
Came up with list of laws colonists wanted repealed
Agreed to impose boycott on British goods until grievances were redressed
Formed Continental Association with towns setting up committees of observation to enforce boycott
These committees became de facto governments
Formulated limited set of parameters for acceptable Parliamentary interference in colonial affairs
Committees of observation expanded powers
Replaced British-sanctioned assemblies in many colonies
Led acts of insubordination (collecting taxes, disrupting court sessions, organizing militias and stockpiling weapons)
John Adams later commented "The Revolution was effected before the war commenced. The Revolution was in the minds and hearts of the people"
The British Underestimated the Pro-Revolutionary Movement
Government officials believed if they arrested ringleaders and confiscated weapons, violence could be averted
Dispatched troops to confiscate weapons in Concord, Massachusetts in April 1775
Troops had to pass through Lexington, where they confronted a small colonial militia (minutemen)
Someone fired a shot, which drew British return fire
Minutemen suffered 18 casualties (8 dead)
British proceeded to Concord where they faced a larger militia
Militia inflicted numerous casualties and forced British to retreat
Battle of Concord referred to as "the shot heard 'round the world"
Colonists used time to rally citizens to the cause of independence
Not all were convinced, Loyalists included government officials, devout Anglicans, merchants dependent on trade with England, religious and ethnic minorities who feared persecution by the rebels
Many enslaved people believed their chances for liberty were better with the British than with the colonists
Increase in slave insurrections dampened some Southerners' enthusiasm for revolution
Patriots were mostly white Protestant property holders and gentry, as well as urban artisans, especially in New England
Much of the rest of the population hoped the whole thing would blow over
Quakers of Pennsylvania were pacifists and wanted to avoid war.
Prepared for war by establishing a Continental Army, printing money, and creating government offices to supervise policy
Chose George Washington to lead the army because he was well-liked and a Southerner
John Dickinson and the Olive Branch Petition
Many delegates followed John Dickinson who was pushing for reconciliation with Britain using the Olive Branch Petition
Adopted by the Continental Congress on July 5, 1775
Last-ditch attempt to avoid armed conflict
King George III was not interested since he considered the colonists to be in open rebellion
One year before the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, the colonial leaders were trying to reconcile with the mother country.
Published in January 1776 by Thomas Paine, an English printer
Advocated for colonial independence and republicanism over monarchy
Sold more than 100,000 copies in its first three months
Accessible to colonists who couldn't always understand the Enlightenment-speak of the Founding Fathers
Helped swing support to the patriot cause among people who were unsure about attacking the mother country
Bigger success than James Otis's The Rights of the British Colonies Asserted and Proved
Literacy rates in New England were higher due to the Puritan legacy of teaching children to read the Bible
Nevertheless, Paine's pamphlet reached a wider audience, including those who couldn't read
Proportional equivalent of selling 13 million downloads today
Rebels were looking for a masterpiece of propaganda to rally colonists to their cause
Common Sense served as this masterpiece and helped swing support to the patriot cause.
Commissioned by the Congress in June 1776
Written by Thomas Jefferson
Enumerated the colonies' grievances against the Crown
Articulated the principle of individual liberty and government's responsibility to serve the people
Despite its flaws, it remains a powerful document
Signed on July 4, 1776
The Revolutionary War became a war for independence with the signing of the Declaration
The Declaration not only set out the colonies' complaints against the British government but also laid out the philosophical underpinnings of the revolution, most notably the assertion that all men are created equal and have certain inalienable rights
The Declaration has been considered as a seminal document in American history, and has been a source of inspiration for movements for civil rights and freedom across the world.
Occurred on October 17, 1781
Symbolic end to the American Revolution
Major British general, Cornwallis, was surrounded by the French navy and George Washington’s troops, and surrendered
Began a long period of negotiations between the American colonies and Great Britain, which would finally end the war in October of 1783
Continental Army had trouble recruiting good soldiers
Congress eventually recruited Black people, and up to 5,000 fought on the side of the rebels
Franco-American Alliance, negotiated by Ben Franklin in 1778, brought the French into the war on the side of the colonists
Treaty of Paris, signed at the end of 1783, granted the United States independence and generous territorial rights
Sent to the colonies for ratification in 1777 by the Continental Congress
The first national constitution of the United States
Intentionally created little to no central government due to fear of creating a tyrannical government
Gave the federal government no power to raise an army
Could not enforce state or individual taxation, or a military draft
Could not regulate trade among the states or international trade
Had no executive or judicial branch
Legislative branch gave each state one vote, regardless of the state's population
In order to pass a law, 9 of the 13 of the states had to agree
In order to amend or change the Articles, unanimous approval was needed
These limitations hurt the colonies during Shays's Rebellion.
Eventually, the limitations of the Articles of Confederation led to the drafting of the Constitution of the United States.
By 1787,
The federal government lacked sufficient authority under the Articles of Confederation.
Alexander Hamilton was concerned about no uniform commercial policy and fear for the survival of the new republic.
Hamilton convened the meeting -Only five delegates showed up
Congress consented to a "meeting in Philadelphia" for the sole purpose of revising the Articles of Confederation.
Delegates from all states except Rhode Island attended the meeting.
Meeting took place during the long, hot summer of 1787.
55 delegates
All men
All white
Many wealthy lawyers or landowners
Many owned enslaved people
Came from different ideological backgrounds
Called for modifications to Articles of Confederation
Called for equal representation from each state
Proposed by James Madison
Called for new government based on principle of checks and balances
Number of representatives for each state based on population
Executive branch led by president
Legislative branch composed of bicameral Congress
Judicial branch composed of Supreme Court
Expanded powers:
Enforce federal taxation
Regulate trade between states
Regulate international trade
Coin and borrow money
Create postal service
Authorize military draft
Declare war
Indirectly chosen by Electoral College
College composed of political leaders representing popular vote of each state
To win state's electoral votes, candidate must win majority of popular vote in that state
State's electoral count is sum of senators and representatives (determined by population)
Gives states with larger populations more power in presidential elections
Lasted 4 months
Delegates hammered out compromises
Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise) blended NJ and VA plans for bicameral legislature
Constitution established:
House of Representatives elected by people
Senate elected by state legislatures
President and VP elected by Electoral College
Three branches of government: executive, legislative, judicial
Power of checks and balances
Method for counting enslaved people in southern states for "proportional" representation in Congress
Enslaved people counted as 3/5 of a person
Only three of 42 remaining delegates refused to sign
Two refused because it did not include a bill of rights.
Not guaranteed
Opponents (Anti-Federalists) portrayed federal government as all-powerful beast
Anti-Federalists came from backcountry and were particularly appalled by absence of bill of rights
Position resonated in state legislatures where fate of Constitution lay
Some held out for promise of immediate addition of Bill of Rights upon ratification
Forcefully and persuasively argued in Federalist Papers
Papers anonymously authored by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay
Published in New York newspaper and later widely circulated
Critical in swaying opinion in New York, a large and important state
Other important states of the era: Virginia, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts
Went into effect in 1789
Bill of Rights added in 1791
Unanimously chosen by Electoral College
Not sought presidency, but most popular figure in colonies
Accepted role out of sense of obligation
Exercised authority with care and restraint
Used veto only if convinced bill was unconstitutional
Comfortable delegating responsibility, created government of best minds of his time
Created a cabinet (not specifically granted in Constitution but every president since has had one)
Cabinet is made up of heads of executive departments, functions as president's chief group of advisors
Thomas Jefferson as secretary of state
Alexander Hamilton as secretary of the treasury
Disagreed on proper relationship between federal and state government
Hamilton favored strong central government, weaker state governments
Jefferson feared monarchy/tyranny, favored weaker federal government with main powers of defense and international commerce
Hamilton proposed National Bank to help regulate and strengthen economy
Both houses of Congress approved but Washington uncertain of constitutionality
Debate established two main schools of thought on constitutional law
Strict constructionists (led by Jefferson and Madison) argued bank not necessary and thus beyond national government's powers
Hamilton (broad constructionist) argued bank implied power of government and not explicitly forbidden by Constitution
Washington agreed with Hamilton and signed bill
Busy and successful tenure
Handled national debt accrued during war
Financial plan called for federal government to assume states' debts, repay by giving debt holders land on western frontier
Plan favored northern banks and drew accusations of helping monied elite at expense of working classes
Struck political deal to get most of plan implemented, concession was southern location for nation's capital
Capital moved to Washington D.C. in 1800
Took place during Washington's presidency
Caused considerable debate between Jefferson and Hamilton
Jefferson supported revolution and republican ideals
Hamilton had aristocratic leanings, disliked revolutionaries
Issue came to forefront when France and England resumed hostilities
British were primary trading partner after war, nudged U.S. toward neutrality in French-English conflict
Jefferson agreed on neutrality as correct course to follow
Washington declared U.S. intention to remain "friendly and impartial" (Neutrality Proclamation)
Genêt's visit sparked rallies by American supporters of the revolution
Federalists (favoring strong federal government)
Republicans/Democratic-Republicans (followers of Jefferson)
Development of political parties troubled framers of the Constitution, seen as factions dangerous to survival of Republic
Federalists who supported ratification of the Constitution are often the same people as Federalists who favored strong federal government.
Republican party created in 1850s is a very different group which still survives today.
Implemented excise tax on whiskey to raise revenue
Farmers in western Pennsylvania resisted, instigating Whiskey Rebellion
Washington dispatched militia to disperse rebels, demonstrated new government's power to respond
Rebellion highlighted class tensions between inland farmers and coastal elites
Negotiated by John Jay to address British evacuation of NW and free trade violations
Prevented war with Great Britain, but considered too many concessions towards British
Congress attempted to withhold funding to enforce treaty
Washington refused to submit documents, establishing precedent of executive privilege
Considered low point of Washington's administration
Negotiated by Thomas Pinckney with Spain, addressing use of Mississippi River, duty-free access to markets, and removal of Spanish forts on American soil
Spain promised to try to prevent Native American attacks on Western settlers
Ratified by U.S. Senate in 1796, considered high point of Washington's administration
Declined to run for third term, set final precedent
Composed in part by Alexander Hamilton
Warned future presidents against "permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world"
Promoted notion of friendly relationships with all nations, but avoiding permanent alliances
Warning remained prominent part of American foreign policy through mid-20th century
During the 1790s, women’s roles in courtship, marriage, and motherhood were reevaluated in light of the new republic and its ideals
Women were largely excluded from political activity but had an important civil role and responsibility
Women were to be the teachers and producers of virtuous male citizens
Public virtue had been a strictly masculine quality in the past, private virtue emerged as a very important quality for women
Women were given the task of inspiring and teaching men to be good citizens through romance and motherhood
Women were to entertain only suitors with good morals, providing more incentive for men to be more ethical
Women held a tremendous influence on their son
Advocates for female education spoke out, arguing that educated women would be better mothers, who would produce better citizens
Even though the obligations of women had grown to include this new political meaning, traditional gender roles were largely unchanged as the education of women was meant only in service to husbands and family
The idea of Republican Motherhood emerged in the early 1800s
The role of the mother became more prominent in child-rearing
Mothers were now expected to raise educated children who would contribute positively to the United States.
The Electoral College selected John Adams, a Federalist, as Washington’s successor
Under the then-current rules, the second-place candidate became vice president, so Adams’s vice president was the Democratic-Republican Thomas Jefferson
Following the Washington Era, Adams’s presidency was bound to be an anticlimax
Adams, argumentative and elitist, was a difficult man to like
He was also a hands-off administrator, often allowing Jefferson’s political rival Alexander Hamilton to take charge
The animosity between Jefferson and Hamilton and the growing belligerence between the Federalists and Democratic-Republicans set the ugly, divisive tone for Adams’s term
Perhaps Adams’s greatest achievement was avoiding all-out war with France
After the United States signed the Jay Treaty with Britain, France began seizing American ships on the open seas
Adams sent three diplomats to Paris, where French officials demanded a huge bribe before they would allow negotiations even to begin
The diplomats returned home, and Adams published their written report in the newspapers
Because he deleted the French officials’ names and replaced them with the letters X, Y, and Z, the incident became known as the XYZ Affair
As a result, popular sentiment did a complete turnaround; formerly pro-French, the public became vehemently anti-French to the point that a declaration of war seemed possible
Aware of how small the American military was, Adams avoided the war (a war Hamilton wanted) and negotiated a settlement with a contrite France although he was not able to avoid the Naval skirmishes called the Quasi-War
The low point of Adams’s tenure was the passage and enforcement of the Alien and Sedition Acts
The acts allowed the government to forcibly expel foreigners and to jail newspaper editors for “scandalous and malicious writing”
The acts were purely political, aimed at destroying new immigrants’—especially French immigrants’—support for the Democratic-Republicans
Worst of all, the Sedition Act, which strictly regulated antigovernment speech, was a clear violation of the First Amendment
Vice President Jefferson led the opposition to the Alien and Sedition Acts
Together with Madison, he drafted the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions (which were technically anonymous)
The resolutions argued that the states had the right to judge the constitutionality of federal laws
The resolutions went on to exercise this authority they claimed, later referred to as nullification, by declaring the Alien and Sedition Acts void
Virginia and Kentucky, however, never prevented enforcement of the laws
Rather, Jefferson used the laws and the resolutions as key issues in his 1800 campaign for the presidency
Even today, states often pass resolutions similar to these to express their displeasure with the federal government.