Important Notes on the Build-Up to the American Revolution

George Grenville’s New Measures

  • Post-War Financial Crisis:
    • British national debt doubled due to the war.
    • Heavy taxation in Britain led to citizen protests; colonists paid little to no taxes.
  • Grenville's Taxation Measures:
    • Revenue Act (Sugar Act, 1764): Lowered duty on molasses from 6 to 3 pence but increased monitoring and violators tried in admiralty courts.
    • Currency Act (1764): Restricted colonies from creating their own paper money as legal tender.
    • Quartering Act (1765): Mandated colonies to provide accommodations for British troops.
    • Stamp Act (1765): Taxed various legal documents and consumer goods with a requirement for a stamp.
    • Colonists viewed the Stamp Act as a direct parliament claim to tax them, which had been resisted for nearly a century by the English.

The Beginning of Colonial Resistance

  • Colonial Reaction:
    • Resentment towards British taxation fueled by the belief in personal property rights and liberty.
    • Fear among colonists that British authorities were conspiring against American liberties.
    • Economic recession post-war caused further discontent.
  • Ideology:
    • Growing belief in “no taxation without representation” as an essential right.

Riots and Resolves

  • Formation of Unity:
    • American assemblies, including Virginia's, passed resolutions denying Parliament's right to tax colonies.
    • Patrick Henry emerged as a key figure advocating colonial rights.
  • Action Taken:
    • Delegates from 9 colonies met in October 1765 to petition for a repeal of the Sugar and Stamp Acts.
    • Non-importation agreements were enacted in key cities (Boston, New York, Philadelphia).
    • Formation of the Sons of Liberty: Organized opposition against British enforcement of the Stamp Act, including protests and violence.

Repeal of the Stamp Act

  • Parliament's Response:
    • Anticipation of repeal due to economic pressure from English merchants affected by colonial non-importation.
    • The Declaratory Act followed the repeal, asserting Parliament's power to legislate for the colonies in all cases.

The Townshend Acts

  • Charles Townshend's Policies:
    • Increased discontent through taxes on imports (lead, paint, paper, glass, tea) and cracking down on colonial assemblies.
    • Established new customs officials and additional vice admiralty courts.

The Resistance Organizes

  • Motivation for Unity:
    • Key figures like Samuel Adams galvanized resistance.
    • Creation of non-importation and non-consumption agreements across colonies.
  • Women’s Role:
    • Daughters of Liberty emerged, contributing to boycotts and organizing support for the cause.

The Boston Massacre

  • Event Details:
    • Tensions escalated between colonists and British soldiers in Boston.
    • On March 5, 1770, soldiers fired into a crowd, killing five colonists.
  • Aftermath:
    • Increased resistance and rejection of Townshend Acts, though tax on tea remained in place.

Resistance Revived

  • Gaspee Incident:
    • Colonists burned a British naval schooner in 1772, leading to increased organization and Committees of Correspondence among colonies.
  • Boston Tea Party (1773):
    • Protest against the Tea Act where colonists dumped an enormous quantity of tea into Boston Harbor.

The Empire Strikes Back

  • Coercive Acts (1774):
    • Series of punitive measures against colonies following the Boston Tea Party, including shutdown of Boston Harbor and undermining Massachusetts governance.

The First Continental Congress

  • Formation and Purpose:
    • 55 delegates from 12 colonies convened to address grievances and coordinate resistance.
  • Key Actions:
    • Adopted the Declaration of Rights and Grievances asserting colonial rights and encouraging trade embargoes against Britain.

The Last Days of the British Empire in America

  • Gage’s Actions:
    • New royal governor of Massachusetts who attempted to suppress resistance; colonists formed their own Provincial Congress to counter British authority.

The Fighting Begins

  • Lexington and Concord (April 1775):
    • The first military engagements of the Revolutionary War, marked by the “shot heard ‘round the world.” Colonist militias pushed back British troops, inflicting significant casualties.

Aftermath

  • Impact of Battles:
    • Committed colonists to rebellion; led to the Second Continental Congress.

The Second Continental Congress

  • Initiatives for Independence:
    • The need for military organization and determination for independence grew.
    • The creation of the Continental Army and Olive Branch Petition acknowledging loyalty but requesting changes from the King.

The Declaration of Independence

  • Drafting and Purpose:
    • Committee’s task to write a declaration justifying independence; largely written by Thomas Jefferson.
    • Emphasis on self-evident truths and grievances against the King rather than Parliament.

American Loyalists

  • Loyalist Support:
    • Approximately 1 in 5 colonists remained loyal to Britain, often due to economic dependencies or previous conflicts in the colonies.

The Fighting in the North

  • Continental Army's Challenges:
    • Washington faced significant obstacles against the seasoned British troops; low enlistment and discontent among soldiers.

The Two Armies at Bay

  • Military Campaigns:
    • Washington’s strategy evolved as he struggled against British advances while capitalizing on morale boosting victories like Trenton.

“Women of the Army”

  • Contributions of Women:
    • Women played various roles, from camp followers to engaging actively, caring for soldiers and supporting the war effort.

Laying Strategies

  • Washington’s Defensive Tactics:
    • Initially focused on strong defenses, utilizing key geographical advantages to push British troops back.

Capturing Philadelphia

  • British Military Successes and Implications:
    • British captured Philadelphia, leading to hardships for local citizens due to military presence and resource seizure.

Disaster at Saratoga

  • Turning Point:
    • Major American victory in 1777 that encouraged French support after a decisive engagement led by General Gates.

The American Revolution Becomes a Global War

  • Alliances Formed:
    • French entered the war formally due to American victories, drastically shifting the power dynamics of the conflict.

Winding Down the War in the North

  • Continental Army Conditions:
    • Harsh winter conditions at Valley Forge tested the resilience of the Continental Army.

The Struggle in the South and The Siege of Charleston

  • British Strategy Shift:
    • Aimed at gaining Southern support, but civil strife complicated the situation as Loyalists faced backlash.

The Partisan Struggle in the South

  • Rebel Strategies:
    • Increased involvement of local militias and guerrilla warfare tactics emerged in response to British tactics in the South.

Greene Takes Command

  • Leadership Changes:
    • Nathanael Greene’s strategies utilized local militia to outmaneuver British forces, crucial victories achieved in the backcountry.

The World Turned Upside Down

  • Cornwallis's Miscalculation:
    • His campaign in Virginia focused on Yorktown where he ultimately surrendered, marking a decisive end to major military engagements.

Surrender at Yorktown

  • Finale of the War:
    • Cornwallis's defeat signified the collapse of British military ambitions in America, leading to the Treaty of Paris recognizing American independence.