Ch.+5+and+6+American+Revolution+&+Aftermath

Chapter 5: The American Revolution

Page 1: Overview

Page 2: The Road to Revolution (1763-1775)

• Context leading up to the American Revolution delineated through political, economic, and social implications.

Page 3: Roots of Revolution

• Victory in the Seven Years War:

  • Britain emerged victorious in 1763, solidifying its dominance, but the war incurred substantial financial costs, resulting in heightened taxes and debts.

• Financial Burden on Colonists:

  • Following the war, Britain expected its American colonies to help bear the financial burden, leading to discontent as taxes and duties were enforced.

• End of Salutary Neglect:

  • The British shift from a more lax enforcement of regulations to a strict oversight marked a significant change in colonial governance, fostering resentment.

• Emergence of American Identity:

  • Increased autonomy and unique colonial experiences began to foster a distinct identity, separate from British identity, leading to growing calls for independence.

• Colonial Reactions:

  • Colonists began to actively resist British policies that they perceived as oppressive, including protests and the formation of groups advocating for rights.

• Ideas from Britain:

  • Ideologies from the Republicanism and Whig political thought heavily influenced colonial perceptions of governance, emphasizing liberty, civic virtue, and the dangers of monarchical power.

Page 4: Political Roots of Revolution

• Republicanism:

  • The emphasis was placed on the common good, where citizens were expected to prioritize the welfare of the community and nation over individual interests.

  • Stability and protection of the republic relied on a capable government that promoted virtue among its citizens, advocating a strong opposition against monarchies and aristocracies.

• Whig Political Thought:

  • This ideology warned against the concentration of power in a single entity, such as the monarchy, urging for representative governance where elected officials represented the interests of the people.

Page 5: Mercantilism and Colonial Grievances

• British Mercantilism:

  • Under the mercantilist system, a nation’s wealth was assessed primarily in terms of gold and silver reserves, with colonies being viewed largely as sources of raw materials and markets for British manufactured goods.

  • Enumerated Goods: Only specific products could be exported from the colonies to other countries, creating a sense of economic confinement and exploitation among colonists.

• Colonial Response:

  • Many colonists felt as though they were being treated as tenant nations without fair representation or rights, which deepened their grievances against Britain.

Page 6: Merits of Mercantilism

• Regulated Colonial Trade:

  • The Navigation Acts intended to guide colonial trade, ensuring that wealth flowed back to Britain which benefitted the empire’s economy.

  • Despite the restrictive nature, colonists experienced some benefits including British military protection against external threats and monopolistic privileges on certain goods, which brought some economic stability.

Page 7: Menace of Mercantilism

• Tensions Rise:

  • More rigorous enforcement of mercantilist policies post-1763 intensified colonial frustration, particularly as colonies felt increasingly economically dependent on Britain which restricted their growth.

  • Southern colonies often felt prioritized in arrangements regarding trade and production, igniting regional discontent.

Page 8: Colonial Grievances

• Economic Disparities:

  • A critical shortage of currency in the colonies exacerbated tensions, as they were buying significantly more than they sold to Britain, creating a negative trade balance.

  • British legislation severely limited the colonies’ ability to print their currency, further complicating their economic situation.

• Legislative Power:

  • Colonists grew resentful over seemingly arbitrary British nullifications of their laws, undermining their sense of local self-governance.

Page 9: The Stamp Tax

• Post-War Financial Pressure:

  • Britain’s debt, half resulting from the Seven Years War, led to the implementation of new taxes on the colonies to recover costs, creating widespread discontent.

• Navigation Acts Enforcement:

  • Enforced by Prime Minister George Greenville in the 1760s, measures like the Sugar Act imposed duties on necessities like sugar, while the Quartering Act mandated that colonies provide housing for British soldiers.

Page 10: The Stamp Act

• 1765 Stamp Act:

  • Required that all printed materials carry an official stamp, representing both a financial burden and symbolic control over colonial affairs.

  • Offenders of the act were judged in admiralty courts, which lacked juries and presumed guilt, further inflaming colonial anger.

• Colonial Reaction:

  • The act led to widespread protests, uprisings, and the organization of groups like the Sons of Liberty advocating against what was seen as taxation without representation.

Page 11: The Stamp Tax Reaction

• Colonial Assemblies' Response:

  • Assemblies in various colonies began to refuse to supply troops for the protection of British interests, enhancing inter-colonial unity.

  • The rallying cry of "No Taxation Without Representation" emerged, echoing the colonists’ assertion of their rights against British imposition.

  • Colonists firmly rejected the notion of "virtual representation," arguing that true representation required elected representatives.

Page 12: Repeal of Stamp Act

• Congress Action:

  • The Stamp Act Congress formed to articulate colonial grievances and petition for the repeal of the act, showcasing early attempts at formal unity and collective action.

• Boycotts:

  • As part of their protest, colonists organized boycotts against British imports, leading to stronger community ties and ultimately pressuring Britain into reconsidering its approaches.

Page 13: Sons and Daughters of Liberty

• Direct Actions:

  • The Sons and Daughters of Liberty engaged in organized protests, boycotts, and sometimes acts of violence against British officials and informers, challenging British economic control.

  • Their activism sometimes resulted in the actual stoppage of tax collection in various areas.

• Parliament's Confusion:

  • Faced with mounting resistance, Parliament repealed the Stamp Act in 1766 but coupled it with the Declaratory Act, asserting Britain’s authority over the colonies.

Page 14: Townshend Tea Tax and Boston Massacre

• Post-Stamp Act Sentiment:

  • The Townshend Acts, introduced in 1767, imposed duties on imports including tea, glass, and paint, intensifying colonial anger toward British taxation.

  • New York's Legislature faced suspension as punishment for non-compliance with the Quartering Act, which further alienated the colonies from Britain.

Page 15: Boston Massacre

• March 5, 1770 Event:

  • A confrontation occurred between colonial townspeople and British soldiers, resulting in the death of five civilians, later dubbed the Boston Massacre.

• Crispus Attucks:

  • One of the first casualties, Attucks became a symbol of American resistance and martyrdom, galvanizing colonial sentiment against British rule.

Page 16: Committees of Correspondence

• Continued Resistance:

  • The formation of Committees of Correspondence facilitated communication and coordination of resistance efforts among the colonies, aiding in the unification of anti-British sentiment.

Page 17: Boston Tea Party

• Reaction to British Tea Policies:

  • On December 16, 1773, in response to the Tea Act that granted the British East India Company a monopoly on tea sales, colonists protested by dumping 342 chests of tea into Boston Harbor, an act of defiance against British authority.

Page 18: Intolerable Acts

• British Response to Boston Tea Party:

  • Parliament retaliated with a series of punitive measures known as the Intolerable Acts, which severely limited Massachusetts's charter rights and further alienated the colonies.

Page 19: First Continental Congress

• 1774 Gathering:

  • Delegates from twelve colonies convened to discuss their responses to British actions, leading to a declaration of rights and initiatives for economic boycotts against Britain.

Page 20: The Shot Heard 'Round the World

• Beginning of Armed Conflict:

  • Armed skirmishes broke out in April 1775 at Lexington and Concord, igniting the revolutionary war and marking the start of armed conflict between Britain and the colonies.

Page 21: British Strengths and Weaknesses

• Strength:

  • Britain enjoyed a substantial population and robust military capabilities, including a well-trained standing army and navy.

• Weakness:

  • Despite their military might, they faced significant challenges in garnering domestic support for the war effort, leading to uneven troop morale and commitment.

Page 22: American Advantages

• Leadership and Morale:

  • The leadership of figures like George Washington and the support from foreign allies, particularly France, bolstered American resolve and strategy.

Page 23: American Disadvantages

• Financial and Military Challenges:

  • The Continental Army faced issues of poor unity among the colonies, economic instability, and a lack of a strong navy, hampering overall coherence in the war effort.

Page 24: Transition to Independence

• Timeline of Events:

  • The chapter outlines key events marking the journey from initial conflict over taxation to broader calls for independence from British rule.

Page 25: Congress Drafts George Washington

• 2nd Continental Congress:

  • A unified approach led to the election of George Washington as the military commander for the Continental Army, recognizing his leadership potential in the struggle ahead.

Page 26: Military Strategies

• American Tactics:

  • The American forces employed strategies of attrition and guerrilla warfare, aiming to prolong the conflict while simultaneously seeking foreign alliances to bolster their position.

Page 27: Early Confrontations

• Bunker Hill Battle:

  • This pivotal early confrontation showcased the resilience of colonial forces and highlighted the capability of Americans to stand firm against the British military.

Page 28: Thomas Paine's Influence

• Common Sense (1776):

  • Paine’s pamphlet argued passionately for independence, critiquing British control thus galvanizing public opinion in favor of a break from Britain.

Page 29: Republicanism Ideas

• Call for a Government by Consent:

  • The Republican ideal emphasized that government’s authority must derive from the consent of the governed, a principle invigorating colonial arguments for independence.

Page 30: Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence

• Formal Declaration:

  • Drafted by Thomas Jefferson, the Declaration articulated the colonists’ grievances against the British monarchy and articulated the vision of a new nation grounded in equality and rights.

Page 31: Patriots vs. Loyalists

• Division among Colonials:

  • The revolutionary sentiments catalyzed division among colonists, differentiating those who fervently supported rebellion from those who adhered to loyalty towards Britain.

Page 32: Typical Loyalists

• Profile of Loyalists:

  • Often conservative in their outlook, loyalists were typically aligned with the Anglican Church and preferred stability and allegiance to British governance.

Page 33: Typical Patriots

• Profile of Patriots:

  • Generally younger and more radical, patriots were dedicated to revolutionary ideals, championing the cause of independence and self-determination.

Page 34: Loyalist Exodus

• Post-Independence Division:

  • Following independence, many loyalists faced repercussions, leading to an exodus from America as they sought refuge in Britain or other areas.

Pages 35-37: The Northern Campaign

• Military Engagements:

  • The chapter explored key battles fought in the Northern campaigns, highlighting strategic successes and failures on both sides.

Page 38: Crossing the Delaware

• Strategic Movements:

  • Washington’s daring maneuver across the icy Delaware River on Christmas night exemplified strategic surprise and determination against British forces.

Page 39: Saratoga as a Turning Point

• Significant Victory:

  • The American victory at Saratoga was pivotal in persuading France to enter the war, recognizing the colonies as a potential ally against Britain.

Page 40: Lord Dunmore’s Proclamation

• Promise of Freedom to Slaves:

  • British promise of freedom to enslaved people who would join them highlighted the revolutionary dilemma surrounding slavery and freedom, drawing many to fight for the British cause.

Page 41: Britain’s Southern Strategy

• Focus on Southern Loyalists:

  • Britain sought to pacify southern colonies through military engagements, banking on loyalist support and resource availability.

Page 42: Frontier Issues

• Native American Alliances:

  • Native American nations largely allied with Britain during the conflict, seeking to protect their lands from encroaching American settlers.

Page 43: Diplomacy with France

• French Support:

  • Following Saratoga, French support materialized, marking a turning point as France formally aligned itself with the American cause.

Page 44: Revolutionary Diplomacies

• Intervention by France:

  • French diplomatic actions established significant alliances that bolstered American military capabilities and resources during the revolution.

Page 45: Evacuations and Betrayals

• British Strategy Changes:

  • As the war evolved, British military strategies shifted, reflecting changing dynamics and challenges faced in the American theater.

Page 46: Yorktown and the Conclusion of War

• Final Major Conflict:

  • The siege of Yorktown marked a decisive defeat for Cornwallis’s forces, culminating in the end of major hostilities and paving the way for negotiations.

Page 47: Treaty of Paris 1783

• Recognition of Independence:

  • The Treaty of Paris formally recognized the independence of the United States, setting the stage for the development of a new nation.

Page 48: A New Nation Emerges

• Post-War Conditions:

  • The newly independent nation faced challenges such as establishing governance and navigating relationships with other countries.

Page 49: Land Gains Post-War

• Territorial Expansions:

  • Following the Treaty of Paris, new territorial boundaries were established, highlighting the geopolitical changes stemming from the revolution.

1. Salutary Neglect - A policy that allowed the colonies to largely govern themselves, which ended, leading to increased British control.

2. Republicanism - A political ideology emphasizing the common good and civic virtue, advocating for a government accountable to the people.

3. Whig Political Thought - Ideological stance warning against the concentration of power, advocating for representative governance.

4. Mercantilism - An economic policy promoting government regulation of a nation’s economy to maximize exports, often at the expense of colonies.

5. Stamp Act - A 1765 law requiring colonists to pay taxes on printed materials, sparking significant colonial protest.

6. Boston Massacre - A deadly confrontation in 1770 that heightened anti-British sentiments among the colonies.

7. Committees of Correspondence - Groupings formed for communication and coordination of resistance efforts among the colonies.

8. Boston Tea Party - A 1773 protest against British tea policies, where colonists dumped tea into Boston Harbor.

9. Intolerable Acts - A series of punitive laws passed by Britain in response to the Boston Tea Party, severely limiting colonial self-governance.

10. Second Continental Congress - The assembly of colonial delegates that managed the colonial war effort and moved towards independence.