Untitled

The Road to the American Revolution

Chronology of the Scientific Revolution (1543-1637)

  • 1543: Publication of Copernicus's On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres
  • 1576: Brahe sets up Uranienborg laboratory
  • 1609: Kepler sets out his laws in Rudolphine tables
  • 1610: Galileo publishes The Starry Messenger
  • 1632: Galileo publishes A Dialogue between the Two Great World Systems
  • 1620: Bacon publishes Novum Organum
  • 1637: Descartes publishes Discourse on Method
  • 1687: Newton publishes Principia Mathematica

Political Context Leading to Revolution

Salutary Neglect
  • Period of neglect toward the American colonies by British Parliament.
  • Queen Anne died in 1714 with no heirs, leading to George I's ascension—his lack of knowledge of English affairs allowed Parliament to operate independently, with self-enriching tendencies.
  • Timeline of monarchs: George I dies in 1732, George II dies in 1760.
The Ascendancy of George III (1760)
  • George III became king in 1760.
    • Prepared and involved in Parliament; a strong ruler.
    • First focused on ending wars with France.
    • Started directing governmental affairs from monarchy rather than Parliament—political power consolidates to the king by 1763.
The French and Indian War (Seven Years War)
  • Central conflict over control of the Ohio Valley.
  • Albany Conference in 1754 resulted in Iroquois neutrality.
  • 1763: War concludes with English victory.
  • Treaty provisions prohibited English colonists from settling west of the Appalachian Mountains due to protection concerns for colonists.
  • Enforced by the Proclamation Line of 1763.
Proclamation Line of 1763 Map
  • Denotes territories: Rupert's Land, Province of Quebec, Massachusetts, etc.
  • Illustrates territorial divisions and the impact of the Proclamation Line on the colonies.

Events Leading to Revolt Against British Authority

Sugar Act of 1764
  • Introduced taxation on sugar and coffee.
  • Protest among colonists due to lack of representation in taxation decisions.
Stamp Act of 1765
  • Tax imposed on all printed materials, including newspapers, licenses, building permits, etc.
  • Colonists opposed taxation by a distant Parliament they felt should be exclusive to local legislatures due to the period of salutary neglect.
Sons of Liberty
  • A revolutionary organization formed to oppose British taxation.
  • Leaders included Samuel Adams and James Otis.
  • Employed propaganda, organizing boycotts, and violent tactics including tar-and-feathering tax collectors.
Impact of Thomas Hutchinson's Enforcement of the Stamp Act
  • Thomas Hutchinson, Royal Lieutenant-Governor of Massachusetts, enforced the Stamp Act in Boston.
  • His residence was attacked by the Sons of Liberty in protest, despite him not supporting the tax.
John Adams and Patrick Henry
  • John Adams: Young attorney drafting anti-tax resolutions reinforcing the notion of consent in taxation.
    • Noted quote: "No free man should be subject to any tax to which he has not given his own consent."
  • Patrick Henry: Orator and member of the House of Burgesses, vehemently encouraging resistance against Britain.
    • Famous declaration: "Give me liberty or give me death!"
Taxation Without Representation
  • Discussion surrounding the rights of Englishmen regarding taxation raised by both James Otis and Patrick Henry.
  • Otis known for public stance against taxation not consented to by colonists, claiming it is tyranny.
Benjamin Franklin's Role
  • Franklin, a prominent publisher and intellectual, represented the colonies to calm tensions with England post-Stamp Act.
Stamp Act Congress (October 1765)
  • First gathering of colonists to forcefully address taxes imposed.
    • Main demands included repeal of taxes since the French and Indian War and assertion of the principle of taxation without representation.
Repeal of the Stamp Act
  • Following pressures, the King repealed the Stamp Act, seen by colonists as a major victory.
  • In response to ongoing tensions and colonial unrest, British troops were dispatched to Massachusetts to maintain order.
Declaratory Act of 1766
  • This act repealed the Stamp Act while asserting parliamentary authority over the colonies, reinforcing their subordinate position to British rule.
Townshend Acts of 1767
  • Imposed taxes on everyday items (lead, glass, paint, paper, tea).
  • Responses initiated more protests from colonists leading to further unrest.
Boston Massacre (March 1770)
  • Climax of tensions where British soldiers killed five civilians during conflict with a protesting crowd.
  • Crispus Attucks was the first casualty, marking a significant flashpoint in colonial grievances.
Aftermath of the Boston Massacre
  • English authorities repealed most Townshend Acts except the tea tax; soldiers were tried with John Adams as their defense.
  • The trial yielded acquittals for many soldiers, absorbing some tension but sparking further discontent among the colonists.
Tea Act of 1773
  • Established a tax on tea sold by the East India Company, inciting further colonial discomfort and marking a shift towards coffee due to discontent.
Boston Tea Party (1773)
  • Responding to the Tea Act, the Sons of Liberty disguised as Mohawks destroyed 342 cases of tea in protest, rejecting British ownership.
Coercive Acts (Intolerable Acts)
  • Enforced to punish Boston following the Tea Party: closing the Boston Port, revoking the charter of Massachusetts, restricting town meetings, and the Quartering Act for troops.
Massachusetts Town Hall Meetings Suspended
  • Long-standing tradition suspended, impairing local self-governance in Massachusetts, marking it a Royal Colony.
First Continental Congress (September 1774)
  • Convened by delegates to address colonial grievances, leading to the decision to stop trade with England and prepare militias for defense.
Lexington & Concord (April 1775)
  • British attempts to seize colonial military stores escalated tensions into warfare, with Paul Revere's midnight ride alerting militias.
    • Initial confrontation resulted in Canadian troops being met by colonial militia,
    • Led to significant casualties, prompting full-scale warfare and marking the official start of armed conflict in the American Revolution.
Establishment of Second Continental Congress
  • Formed in May 1775, consolidating colonial governance while strategizing military efforts and alliances.
Overview of American Population During the Conflict
  • Population composition: roughly 3 million, with 1/3rd identifying as loyalists (Tories), 1/3rd disinterested, and 1/3rd supporting the revolution as patriots.
Reasons Against Revolution
  • Factors against revolutionary sentiments included fear of British power, loyalty to England, financial repercussions, and belief in the justifications of British taxation.