1. AP Chap. 7 Theme 1763 – 1775 The Road to Revolution
The American Revolution occurred because the American colonists, who had long been developing a strong sense of autonomy and self-government, furiously resisted British attempts under mercantilism to impose tighter imperial controls and high taxes after the end of the French and Indian War in The sustained conflict over political authority and taxation, enhanced by American agitators and British bungling, gradually moved Americans from asserting rights within the British Empire to openly warring with the mother country. Each side had both advantages and disadvantages.

2. Something to think about…
How revolutionary was the American Revolution??

3. I. The Deep Roots of Revolution
First a revolution of thought
England’s colonies settled largely by emigrants
Emigration to America
Food shortages
Disease
Cannibalism
Authorities unfit to tell people what to do; 13 independent parliaments of the colonies
Emigrants began to think of themselves as Americans

4. II. The Mercantile Theory
Colonies founded informally by trading companies, religious groups, and land speculators
Exception of Georgia
Mercantilism
Theory that wealth = power
Colonies economic advantage to Britain
Britain exported more than imported
Colonies regarded as existing to help the mother country, esp. its navy, and supply what England couldn’t

5. III. Mercantilist Trammels on Trade
Navigation Laws
Restricted commerce to and from colonies
Other European goods to colonies be taxed first
To keep $$ within empire
Enumerated goods like tobacco only for Eng.
Forbidden to manufacture certain products
for export so no competition with Eng.
Woolen cloth and beaver hats
No banks = no currency so printed own; forbidden
London regulated legislation passed in colonies

6. IV. The Merits of Mercantilism
“Salutary neglect”
Smuggling increased (Hancock)
Benefits of mercantilism:
Liberal bounties/price supports
Monopoly of British market - tobacco
Rights of Englishman
Self-gov’t opportunities
British army protected against French, Dutch, Spaniards
Average American better off than average Englishman

7. V. The Menace of Mercantilism
Colonies burdened with annoying liabilities and now the Navigation Acts will be enforced
N. felt S. colonies favored over them, but S. felt they were at mercy of British merchants
tobacco, sugar, and rice
Colonies felt England was milking them like cows (see background pic!)
“We revolted because England failed to recognize an emerging nation when it saw one.”
Teddy Roosevelt

8. VI. The Stamp Tax Uproar
Victory of French & Indian War = huge debt for Britain
Colonies asked to pay 1/3 of the cost of maintaining garrison for protection but not for costs of war
Grenville is Prime Minister
Enforced Navigation Laws more strictly in 1763
Sugar Act of 1764 – 1st law ever to raise tax revenue in colonies
Quartering Act of 1765 – house troops
Stamp Act of 1765 – paper goods, documents
Trials in admirality courts (no jury)
“No taxation without representation!” but British legislation ok
But British said “Virtual Representation” (but colonists didn’t really want representation because would be minority in House of Commons!)
               

9. Political Cartoons

10. VII. Parliament Forced to Repeal Stamp Act
Stamp Act Congress of 1765
9 colonies
Largely ignored by Eng.
Step towards intercolonial unity
Non-importation agreements
Homespun goods*
Sons and Daughters of Liberty –
a bit violent
Tarring and feathering
British people affected
Stamp Act repealed 1776
But… Declaratory Act to save face
Tarring and feathering

11. To the Ladies Young ladies in town, and those that live round
wear none but your own country linen.
Of economy boast, let your pride be the most
to show clothes of your own make and spinning.
What if homespun, they say, be not quite so gay as brocades, be not in a passion.
For once it is known, ‘tis much worn in town, one and all will cry out, ‘tis the fashion!

12. VIII. The Townshend Tea Tax and the Boston “Massacre”
PM Townshend enacts Townshend Acts in 1767
Indirect light tax on glass, white lead, paper, paint, tea
Revenue used to pay royal governors and judges
Smuggling and non-importation
Bri. also suspended NY legislature
Bri. sends redcoats to Boston
Boston Massacre
March 5, 1770; 10 redcoats
v. 60 Americans
Troops fired, 5 citizens killed,
Including Crispus Attucks
John Adams = attorney for soldiers;
2 found guilty
Boston Massacre

14. IX. The Seditious Committees of Correspondence
Townshend Acts repealed except for Tea Tax on principle
Samuel Adams
Committees of Correspondence in Massachusetts, then other colonies, then, with Virginia leading the way, inter-colonial committees
( the first American congresses)
Nicknamed the “Penman of the Revolution”
Samuel Adams

15. X. Tea Parties at Boston and Elsewhere
1773 – revolution still not inevitable
British East India Co.
17 million pounds of unsold tea – ( signing
Facing bankruptcy boycott)
Gave co. monopoly of American business
Lower price for colonists, but…
Boston Tea Party
342 chests of teas dumped
into Boston Harbor
“To tax and to please, no more
than to love and be wise, is not
given to men.” –Edmund Burke