Notes: Road to Revolution and Exam Prep

British Political Landscape Leading to Conflict

• Patronage and Royal Power: On paper, the King's power seemed limited, with Parliament supposedly in charge. However, during the era of Walpole and the George Kings, the monarchs began to gain significant power over Parliament through the use of patronage. By the reign of George III, the King had a significant majority of parliamentary members "under his thumb."

The Road to War (1763-1776)

• Shifting Colonial Perception: For the thirteen years leading up to the war (from $1763$ to $1776$), colonists initially believed Parliament was the primary problem, often expressing loyalty to the King. This changed profoundly in $1776$ when Thomas Paine, a newly arrived immigrant, influentially argued that the King was, in fact, the true antagonist.
• Influence of Radical English Writers: Between $1720$ and $1740$, radical English writers attempted to expose corruption within their government, but their calls largely went unheeded by the English populace. However, from $1763$ onwards, their writings on corruption were reprinted in colonial papers, significantly helping to articulate and shape the American argument during the Road to War.

Fundamental Changes in British-Colonial Relationship (Post-$1763$)

The colonial period formally ended in $1763$, marking a critical shift in England's relationship with her colonies in two main ways:

1. Shift in Taxation Policy:
   • Prior Policy: Previously, Britain taxed colonists primarily to regulate trade, ensuring colonies bought products (e.g., molasses) exclusively from British sources (e.g., British West Indies, not French West Indies). Examples include the Molasses Act and the Sugar Act, which New England colonies often ignored through smuggling.
   • New Policy: After $1763$, taxation shifted to raise revenue. This was necessitated by:
     • Expanded Holdings: Britain had doubled her territorial holdings, acquiring Canada and the Ohio River Valley.
     • War Debt: Britain incurred significant war debt from conflicts like the French and Indian War, which the colonies had never been taxed to help pay off.
   • Addressing Smuggling: To enforce new tax policies and control smuggling, customs headquarters were established in Boston, perceived as a major hub for illicit trade, responsible for monitoring imports and exports.
2. Reassertion of British Authority:
   • Prior Situation: For over a century, England had been preoccupied elsewhere (e.g., wars in Europe), leading to a period of "salutary neglect." During this time, colonial assemblies had acquired immense power, initiating both taxation and legislation independently.
   • New Approach: With the French War finally over in $1763$, England realized the need to reassert her authority over the colonies. This led to a direct power struggle between the British Parliament and the colonial assemblies.
   • Examples of Reassertion:
     • Colonial Governors' Power: Unlike the King, who could no longer dissolve or convene Parliament constitutionally (due to the Triennial Act), colonial governors retained the power to dissolve colonial assemblies. England explicitly reminded the colonies that the Glorious Revolution's constitutional changes applied in Britain, not automatically in the colonies.
     • Townshend Acts Enforcement: Under the Townshend Acts, England ordered the New York governor to dissolve the New York colonial assembly for its failure to implement the Quartering Act. This was a clear demonstration of imposing British authority.

The Coercive (Intolerable) Acts (Specific to Boston)

These acts were designed to punish Boston for the destruction of tea and to isolate it, preventing the spread of dissent. Key components included:

• Closure of Boston Port: A direct punishment for the Boston Tea Party.
• New Quartering Act for Boston: Mandated increased troop presence in Boston, effectively turning it into an "armed camp" due to British anger over Boston's disobedience.
• Administration of Justice Act: Any British soldier or officer arrested for actions taken "in the line of duty" in the colonies would be transported immediately back to England for trial, bypassing colonial civilian courts.
• Massachusetts Government Act: Eliminated all elected positions in Massachusetts's government, with all governmental roles now appointed directly by the King.

Path to Independence ($1775$-$1776$)

• Intensifying Events in $1775$: This year saw crucial developments, including the convening of the First and Second Continental Congresses, the Battles of Lexington and Concord, and the Battle of Bunker Hill.
• Resolution and Declaration of Independence: The culmination occurred on July $2$, $1776$, when the Second Continental Congress passed the resolution for independence. Two days later, on July $4$, $1776$, they passed the Declaration of Independence, which provided an explanation for the resolution. Structurally, the Declaration is a formal statement of rights and grievances.

Exam Information and Guidelines

• Proctor: Professor Charley will proctor the exam. The instructor will not be present in the exam room but will be on campus involved with a documentary.
• Permitted Materials: You may write in pen or pencil (any color). You are allowed to have a drink on your desk. All other items must be placed on the floor.
• Restroom Policy: Use the restroom before the exam begins. Leaving during the exam will result in its termination; you will not be allowed to return.
• Exam Supplies: You will be provided with a blue book for writing your answer and a separate question sheet.
• Question Selection: There are four questions provided. You must choose only one to answer. It is strongly advised to read all four questions before making a selection, as you might be able to answer a different question better than your initial thought.
• Grading Policy: Only one answer will be graded. If you attempt to answer multiple questions, only the first one written will be read and evaluated.
• Essay Length: There is no specific length requirement. Focus on conciseness and clarity; some students can express the same point in fewer words than others. The quality of content, not word count, is key.
• Grammar and Spelling: This is not an English exam; grammar and spelling errors will not be penalized. The focus is on the historical content and argument.
• Introduction: Avoid lengthy or irrelevant introductions. Get straight to answering the question.
• Scratch Work: The exam sheet can be used as scrap paper. You can also jot down ideas or an outline in your blue book before starting your essay.
• Submission: Hand in both your question sheet and your blue book at the end of the exam.
• Blue Book Details: Only your name is required on the blue book. Ignore fields like "row number" or "section number."
• Question Number: Crucially, write down the number of the question you answered (e.g., "Question #$1$"). This helps the instructor understand your response, especially for less clear answers.
• Changing Answers: If you start an answer for one question and decide to switch to another, clearly cross through the initial attempt so the instructor knows to grade the second one.
• Office Hours: The instructor has office hours today (pre-exam) from $11$:$00$ AM to $1$:$00$ PM. There will be no office hours on Monday (due to documentary setup). The instructor will try to check email before $2$:$00$ PM on Monday for 1-2 quick questions, but will not answer long lists of questions.
• Exam Date/Time: The exam is on Tuesday, September $30$th, at $9$:$00$ AM.