Oppression and Revolution

Oppression and Revolution

Effects of War

  • American Nationalism:

    • War experiences led to the first-time unity among Americans, fostering a sense of national identity.

  • Pitt’s 1758 Policy Reversal:

    • This shift legitimized the Colonists' view of their own sovereignty, encouraging a belief in their rights.

  • Distinctions Between American and British Soldiers:

    • American soldiers began to draw sharp distinctions between themselves and British counterparts, emphasizing a developing American identity.

  • Indian Resistance:

    • Native Americans in Ohio River Valley had been weakened significantly but remained far from defeated, continuing to resist colonial encroachment.

  • Pontiac’s Rebellion (1763):

    • An alliance of various tribes successful in negotiating to preserve their lands against colonial expansion.

  • Proclamation of 1763:

    • Legislation prohibiting western settlement beyond the Appalachian Mountains, aiming to stabilize relations with Native Americans.

  • Pontiac’s Urging for Rebellion (April 27, 1763):

    • Pontiac encouraged Native Americans to rise against British forces, highlighting the widespread dissatisfaction towards British rule.

A Tradition of Neglect and Independence

  • Loose Enforcement of Navigation Acts:

    • The inconsistent enforcement allowed for smuggling, which fostered self-governance in the colonies.

  • Colonial Assemblies:

    • By the 1750s, these assemblies claimed authority to levy taxes and pass laws without British interference.

    • American colonists felt they possessed rights not recognized by policymakers in England, which was exacerbated after 1760.

  • Salutary Neglect (Robert Walpole's Policy):

    • The geographical distance between America and England led to a period of benign neglect, during which American colonial autonomy grew.

Britain Changes Policies (1763)

  • New British Policies:

    • Following the war, Britain sought to have colonies contribute to the costs of defense, thereby changing existing policies.

  • Enforcement of Navigation Acts:

    • Aimed to stop smugglers and enforce customs duties strictly, changing the previously lax oversight.

  • George Grenville's Policy:

    • His government was determined to increase British authority over both England and America, setting the stage for increased colonial grievances.

Colonial Attitudes Regarding Authority and Taxation

  • Colonial Identity:

    • Colonists viewed themselves as Englishmen entitled to certain “rights and liberties.”

  • Representation in Governance:

    • Colonists believed they deserved representation in taxation matters—this became the rallying cry: “No taxation without representation.”

  • Types of Taxes:

    • External taxes (to regulate commerce) were considered acceptable, while internal taxes (to raise revenue) were vehemently opposed. Examples include:

    • Stamp Tax (Internal): Considered oppressive and met with resistance.

    • External Taxes (e.g., customs duties): Viewed as legitimate for regulating trade.

British Acts of Oppression

Introduction to the Acts

  • A series of legislative measures led to growing colonial resentment towards Parliament and the Crown.

Specific Acts and Colonial Responses:

  1. Sugar Act (1764):

    • Imposed Duties: On imported sugar and molasses, increasing costs without colonial consent, and using Vice Admiralty Courts, violating rights as Englishmen.

    • Colonial Response: Protested and boycotted the affected goods.

  2. Stamp Act (1765):

    • Requirements: Special stamped paper for documents, newspapers; direct tax without colonial representation.

    • Colonial Response: Protests organized by the Sons of Liberty; established the Stamp Act Congress to petition for repeal.

  3. Townshend Duties (1767):

    • Overview: A series of duties on goods like glass, paper, paint, and tea aimed at raising revenue and asserting control.

    • Colonial Response: Boycotts and protests, escalating tensions leading to violence.

  4. Tea Act (1773):

    • Monopoly: Granted the British East India Company monopoly on tea sales, undermining local businesses.

    • Colonial Response: Resulted in the Boston Tea Party, where colonists protested by destroying tea chests.

  5. Coercive Acts (1774):

    • Punishments: Designed to punish Massachusetts for the Boston Tea Party, referred to as the Intolerable Acts. Included:

      • Boston Port Act (1774): Closed Boston Harbor, punishing the city.

      • Admin. of Justice Act (1774): Allowed royal officials accused of crimes to be tried in Britain.

      • Quartering Act (1774): Required colonists to house British troops.

      • Massachusetts Government Act (1774): Reduced self-governance to increase royal control.

    • Colonial Response: Outrage and boycotts; channels for unity, including the First Continental Congress.

Response from the Continental Congress (1774)

  • Call for Unity:

    • Delegates recognized the significance of standing together against governmental encroachments.

    • Emphasized not inciting rebellion but asserting their rights as free subjects.

    • The document articulated grievances in a clear manner, urging solidarity among the colonists.

British Acts Contributing to Grievances

  • Specific Acts:

    • Colonial grievances were directly related to acts such as the Stamp Act, which imposed direct taxation without representation.

    • The Coercive Acts led to a profound sense of injustice, contributing to calls for unity and resistance.

Consequences and Significance of the Grievances Document

  • Broader Context of the American Revolution:

    • The grievances articulated in this document were fundamental to the American quest for independence, laying the groundwork for future revolutionary actions.

    • It emphasized shared experiences of oppression, rallying diverse colonial groups toward a common cause.

Resistance Movements

The Virginia Resolves

  • Patrick Henry (May 1765):

    • Claimed that colonists had equal rights to Englishmen and could only be taxed by their assemblies, igniting resistance and the Stamp Act Riots.

The Sons of Liberty

  • Composition:

    • Diverse group including wealthy artisans, laborers, and shopkeepers who mobilized against British policies by publishing propaganda, leading protests, and organizing boycotts (non-importation movement).

  • Violent Acts:

    • Notable events included ransacking of officials’ homes and tar-and-feathering tax collectors.

British Response to Resistance

  • Repeal of Stamp Act:

    • Recognizing the act’s unpopularity and harm to colonial relations, the British repealed it while issuing the Declaratory Act to assert authority over the colonies.

Escalation of Tools of War

Townshend Duties (1767)

  • New Taxes on Imports:

    • Introduced taxes on lead, paint, paper, and tea, aimed to respect colonial grievances under the false belief that these external taxes would be accepted.

  • Reactions: Renewed nonimportation movement and violent protests organized by local groups such as the Daughters of Liberty.

Boston Massacre (March 5, 1770)

  • Incident Overview:

    • Collected colonial response culminated in the Boston Massacre, leading to the deaths of five colonists and further inflaming anti-British sentiment.

  • Legacy:

    • Paul Revere’s engraving propagated the incident as a symbol of British tyranny.

Continuing Revolutionary Spirit

The Gaspèe Incident (1772)

  • Conflict Over Smuggling:

    • British enforcement led to the burning of the Gaspèe by colonists, illustrating the depth of resentment towards British authority.

  • Committees of Correspondence:

    • Established communication and coordination among Patriot leaders across the colonies to fuel the revolutionary spirit.

The Boston Tea Party (December 16, 1773)

  • Tea Act of 1773:

    • Allowed the East India Company to sell directly, perceived as an attempt to enforce taxation without representation.

  • Colonial Response:

    • Led by Samuel Adams, colonists protested by destroying tea chests, rallying other cities to join the cause.

The Intolerable Acts (1774)

  • Objective:

    • Enacted to punish Massachusetts, leading to widespread outrage and resistance.

  • Key Provisions:

    • Closure of Boston Harbor, suspension of local government, and other measures aimed at consolidating British control over rebellious colonies.

Path to War

First Continental Congress (September - October 1774)

  • Actions:

    • Boycotted British laws and debated a declaration of rights and grievances while preparing militia forces.

The Shot Heard 'Round the World (April 19, 1775)

  • Lexington and Concord:

    • Armed conflict marked the beginning of open warfare.

The Second Continental Congress (May 1775)

  • Olive Branch Petition (July 5, 1775):

    • An attempt to reconcile with King George III, ultimately failing as tensions escalated.

  • Significance of Bunker Hill:

    • Battle of Bunker/Breed’s Hill showcased American resilience despite British victory, with significant British casualties, indicating the resolve of American patriots.

Analysis Exercise - Common Sense

  • Assignment:

    • Analyze Thomas Paine's Common Sense, focusing on how it eliminated prospects for reconciliation and propelled America toward independence, emphasizing its radical ideas against British monarchy.

SAQ #2 - Quick Analysis Prompts

  1. Describe a British government policy implemented from 1763 to 1776.

  2. Explain one similarity or difference in how TWO groups in North America responded to a British policy.

  3. Discuss a specific historical development contributing to the inability of Britain and America to reconcile post-1774.

The Battle of Bunker Hill (June 1775)

  • Outcome:

    • The British sustained over 40% casualties, resulting in a Pyrrhic victory and boosting American confidence and support amongst colonists.