Notes on Colonial Independence Movement and Revolutionary War

British Victory and Its Aftermath

  • British victory in the Seven Years' War was seen as a triumph of liberty over tyranny.
  • The defeat of the Catholic French reinforced the association of British nationality, Protestantism, and freedom.
  • However, post-1763, the British Empire included many non-Protestant and non-British populations.
  • This included tens of thousands of French Catholics and millions in India governed as subjects, not citizens.
  • Edmund Burke questioned the compatibility of British liberty with ruling such a diverse empire.

Colonial Discontent

  • American colonists started to believe that their liberty was threatened by being part of the empire.
  • This belief led them towards seeking independence.

Balance of Power

  • Pre-Seven Years' War (SSYW): Spain held a lot of land, France had greater influence, and Britain had little power.
  • Post-Seven Years' War (ESYW): Britain gained most of North America from France but incurred a large war debt, which contributed to the tensions leading to the Revolutionary War.

Impact on Natives

  • Native Americans were involved on both sides of the conflict but were more aligned with the French.
  • They lost significant land and tribal integrity as a result of the war.

Colonial Identity

  • Colonists developed a stronger sense of pride in their country.
  • They resented British taxation policies.
  • Albany Plan: Proposed by Benjamin Franklin.
  • Appalachian Mountains: Mentioned in context of war.

Key Concept

  • British attempts to tighten control over North American colonies and the colonial resolve for self-government led to the independence movement and the Revolutionary War.

Economic Causes for the American Revolution

  • Mercantilist System: The colonies were meant to enrich and support Great Britain.
  • Navigation Acts: Designed to control trade.
  • Before the French and Indian War, colonists largely ignored British taxes and regulations due to lax enforcement.
  • Examples of Acts: Wool Act of 1699, Hat Act of 1732, Iron Act of 1750, Molasses Act of 1733 (control of fur trade).
  • After the French and Indian War, Britain sought to control the colonies more strictly to raise funds to pay off war debt.

Intellectual Causes: The American Enlightenment

  • The American Enlightenment = A transatlantic movement that emphasized reason and research.
  • Effect: Leaders of the American Revolution argued that every human institution (like government), authority, and tradition should be measured based upon reason.
  • Many who followed Enlightenment ideals became Diests (Belief of enlightenment thinkers who believe that they can't prove that God exsists) in daily life.
  • Questioning of authority of the king and Parliament emerged.

The Great Awakening

  • The Great Awakening = A transatlantic religious revival movement that emphasized turning away from sin and an emotional form of worship.
  • Old Lights (original congregationalists) were challenged by New Lights (followers of the new fundamentalist).
  • Effect: Greater questioning of colonial authority, especially church leaders..
  • It encouraged people to question traditional faith and connect with Jesus.
  • Associated with the 15th and 16th centuries of Science