Notes on Conflict and American Independence (1754-1800)

Albany Plan of Union (1754)

  • Proposed by Benjamin Franklin.

  • Aim: Create an intercolonial government and system for tax collection for defense.

  • Outcome: Rejected by colonial legislatures due to reluctance to relinquish taxing power.

  • Franklin's frustration illustrated in political cartoon: "Join or Die."

The Seven Years' War (1754-1763)

  • Known as the French and Indian War in colonies.

  • Britain vs. France, with Native Americans aligning with French due to better relations.

  • Key Trigger: English settlers expanded into Ohio Valley, causing conflict.

  • Early skirmish led by George Washington resulted in his birthday; he was seen as a hero.

  • Outcome: British emerged as dominant colonial power, acquiring Canada and East of the Mississippi.

Native American Response

  • Following war, Native Americans faced English expansionism, leading to Pontiac's Rebellion.

  • Causes of rebellion: British raised goods prices and ceased paying for western forts.

  • Royal Proclamation of 1763 aimed to restrict westward settlement but angered colonists.

British Taxation and Colonial Reactions

  • After the war, Britain sought to tax colonies to recoup war debts via:

    • Sugar Act (1764): Lowered molasses duty but enforced collection.

    • Currency Act: Restricted colonial paper money.

    • Stamp Act (1765): Direct tax on paper goods, leading to widespread protests and the rallying cry, "No taxation without representation."

Response and Resistance

  • Formation of Sons of Liberty to oppose tax laws.

  • Virginia's Patrick Henry resisted Stamp Act; radicals protested violently, leading to repeal in 1766 but with enactment of Declaratory Act asserting Parliament's right to govern.

Townshend Acts (1767)

  • New taxes on British imports to colonies, including a means to pay tax collectors.

  • Increased colonial protests, unifying more colonists under resolutions like the Massachusetts Circular Letter.

  • Nonimportation agreements implemented, leading to reduced British imports.

Boston Massacre (1770)

  • Tensions heightened with the presence of British troops; resulted in the shooting of colonists, becoming a key propaganda event.

Boston Tea Party (1773)

  • Colonial response to British granting exclusive tea sale rights to East India Tea Company despite lowered prices.

  • Acts of defiance included the destruction of tea cargo, leading to punitive Coercive Acts (Intolerable Acts).

First Continental Congress (1774)

  • Formed in response to Coercive Acts to address grievances and promote unity among colonies.

  • Established Continental Association to enforce boycotts against British goods.

Revolutionary Sentiment and Key Events

  • Growing unrest leading to battles at Lexington and Concord in 1775, marked as the start of armed conflict.

  • Second Continental Congress established Continental Army in June 1775, appointing George Washington as Commander.

  • The Olive Branch Petition was an attempt at reconciliation with Britain, rejected by King George III.

Declaration of Independence (1776)

  • Authored by Thomas Jefferson; articulated rights such as "Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness."

  • List of grievances against King George III.

Revolutionary War and its End

  • Key battles: Saratoga (1777) as turning point with French alliance established, and Yorktown (1781) leading to British surrender.

  • Treaty of Paris (1783) formally recognized American independence.

Articles of Confederation (1781)

  • First national constitution; lacked power to levy taxes, regulate commerce, or maintain an army.

  • Issues highlighted by events like Shays's Rebellion.

Constitutional Convention (1787)

  • Resulted in a new Constitution establishing a stronger federal government with checks and balances.

  • Included compromises like the Three-Fifths Compromise regarding enslaved individuals' representation.

Ratification and Federalist vs. Anti-Federalist Debates

  • Federalist Papers advocated for ratification; Anti-Federalists opposed lack of a Bill of Rights.

  • Bill of Rights added in 1791 to protect individual liberties.

Presidency of George Washington

  • Established many precedents, warned against political parties in farewell address, and emphasized fair trials and non-interventionist foreign policy.

Overall, the period from 1754 to 1800 witnessed a transformation from colonial loyalty to independence, fueled by grievances and resistance to British control along with evolving American ideals of democracy.