1. America’s History Seventh Edition
James A. Henretta
Rebecca Edwards
Robert O. Self
America’s History Seventh Edition
CHAPTER 5
Toward Independence: Years of Decision
Copyright © 2011 by Bedford/St. Martin’s

2. I. Imperial Reform, (Enormous debt followed Britain’s “Great War for Empire”; salutary neglect replaced with regulation and taxation in the colonies.)
The Legacy of War
1. Disputes over Trade and Troops
2. The National Debt
Imperial Reform, (Enormous debt followed Britain’s “Great War for Empire”; salutary neglect replaced with regulation and taxation in the colonies.)
The Legacy of War
1. Disputes over Trade and Troops – debate within the colonies over the power of the royal governors (shared with assemblies versus extensive executive powers); Revenue Act of 1762 meant to tighten control over colonial efforts to trade with foreign nations; decision by Britain to keep 10,000 soldiers in colonies during peacetime angered colonists; British wanted to maintain control over colonists, Native Americans, and French in Canada.
2. The National Debt – British debt from £75 million in 1756 to £133 million in 1763; British raised taxes on the poor and middle classes; increased size of British bureaucracy to collect taxes; those with little political power (poor, colonists) appeared most vulnerable to increased taxation; John Wilkes (Whig) publicly condemned “rotten boroughs” as districts controlled by the wealthy who did not face these new fiscal measures.

3. I. Imperial Reform, (Enormous debt followed Britain’s “Great War for Empire”; salutary neglect replaced with regulation and taxation in the colonies.)
The Legacy of War
1. Disputes over Trade and Troops
debate within the colonies over the power of the royal governors (shared with assemblies versus extensive executive powers);
Revenue Act of 1762 meant to tighten control over colonial efforts to trade with foreign nations;
decision by Britain to keep 10,000 soldiers in colonies during peacetime angered colonists;
British wanted to maintain control over colonists, Native Americans, and French in Canada.
2. The National Debt
Imperial Reform, (Enormous debt followed Britain’s “Great War for Empire”; salutary neglect replaced with regulation and taxation in the colonies.)
The Legacy of War
1. Disputes over Trade and Troops – debate within the colonies over the power of the royal governors (shared with assemblies versus extensive executive powers); Revenue Act of 1762 meant to tighten control over colonial efforts to trade with foreign nations; decision by Britain to keep 10,000 soldiers in colonies during peacetime angered colonists; British wanted to maintain control over colonists, Native Americans, and French in Canada.
2. The National Debt – British debt from £75 million in 1756 to £133 million in 1763; British raised taxes on the poor and middle classes; increased size of British bureaucracy to collect taxes; those with little political power (poor, colonists) appeared most vulnerable to increased taxation; John Wilkes (Whig) publicly condemned “rotten boroughs” as districts controlled by the wealthy who did not face these new fiscal measures.

4. I. Imperial Reform, (Enormous debt followed Britain’s “Great War for Empire”; salutary neglect replaced with regulation and taxation in the colonies.)
The Legacy of War
2. The National Debt
British debt from £75 million in 1756 to £133 million in 1763;
British raised taxes on the poor and middle classes; increased size of British bureaucracy to collect taxes;
those with little political power (poor, colonists) appeared most vulnerable to increased taxation;
John Wilkes (Whig) publicly condemned “rotten boroughs” as districts controlled by the wealthy who did not face these new fiscal measures.
Imperial Reform, (Enormous debt followed Britain’s “Great War for Empire”; salutary neglect replaced with regulation and taxation in the colonies.)
The Legacy of War
1. Disputes over Trade and Troops – debate within the colonies over the power of the royal governors (shared with assemblies versus extensive executive powers); Revenue Act of 1762 meant to tighten control over colonial efforts to trade with foreign nations; decision by Britain to keep 10,000 soldiers in colonies during peacetime angered colonists; British wanted to maintain control over colonists, Native Americans, and French in Canada.
2. The National Debt – British debt from £75 million in 1756 to £133 million in 1763; British raised taxes on the poor and middle classes; increased size of British bureaucracy to collect taxes; those with little political power (poor, colonists) appeared most vulnerable to increased taxation; John Wilkes (Whig) publicly condemned “rotten boroughs” as districts controlled by the wealthy who did not face these new fiscal measures.

7. I. Imperial Reform, (Enormous debt followed Britain’s “Great War for Empire”; salutary neglect replaced with regulation and taxation in the colonies.)
B. George Grenville: Imperial Reformer 1. The Sugar Act 2. Constitutional Conflict
Imperial Reform, (Enormous debt followed Britain’s “Great War for Empire”; salutary neglect replaced with regulation and taxation in the colonies.)
George Grenville: Imperial Reformer (Grenville in Parliament since 1741; became prime minister in 1763 when British taxes were five times American taxes.)
1. The Sugar Act (1764) – 3 pence/gallon duty on French molasses in the colonies; publicly Americans argued that the new tax would destroy the French trade and the American distilling industry; Americans sought ways to evade this new tax (bribing officials, smuggling).
2. Constitutional Conflict – debate began over whether the act was unlawful as the tax did not “originate with the people”; those accused of breaking the law were to be tried by “vice-admiralty court” with a British-appointed judge; fears that the Sugar Act would make colonies “slaves” to Britain; argued that those in the colonies were being treated as less than Englishmen; points of the act were debated but reality was that the act revealed new efforts by the British to take more control of the colonies; some English parliamentarians argued that the colonists did not have the same rights as Englishmen because they were living outside of Britain – “second class subjects of the king.” 7

8. I. Imperial Reform, (Enormous debt followed Britain’s “Great War for Empire”; salutary neglect replaced with regulation and taxation in the colonies.)
George Grenville: Imperial Reformer
(Grenville in Parliament since 1741; became prime minister in 1763 when British taxes were five times American taxes.)
The Sugar Act (1764)
3 pence/gallon duty on French molasses in the colonies; publicly Americans argued that the new tax would destroy the French trade and the American distilling industry;
Americans sought ways to evade this new tax (bribing officials, smuggling).
2. Constitutional Conflict
Imperial Reform, (Enormous debt followed Britain’s “Great War for Empire”; salutary neglect replaced with regulation and taxation in the colonies.)
George Grenville: Imperial Reformer (Grenville in Parliament since 1741; became prime minister in 1763 when British taxes were five times American taxes.)
1. The Sugar Act (1764) – 3 pence/gallon duty on French molasses in the colonies; publicly Americans argued that the new tax would destroy the French trade and the American distilling industry; Americans sought ways to evade this new tax (bribing officials, smuggling).
2. Constitutional Conflict – debate began over whether the act was unlawful as the tax did not “originate with the people”; those accused of breaking the law were to be tried by “vice-admiralty court” with a British-appointed judge; fears that the Sugar Act would make colonies “slaves” to Britain; argued that those in the colonies were being treated as less than Englishmen; points of the act were debated but reality was that the act revealed new efforts by the British to take more control of the colonies; some English parliamentarians argued that the colonists did not have the same rights as Englishmen because they were living outside of Britain – “second class subjects of the king.” 8

9. I. Imperial Reform, 1763-1765 George Grenville: Imperial Reformer
Constitutional Conflict
debate began over whether the act was unlawful as the tax did not “originate with the people”;
those accused of breaking the law were to be tried by “vice-admiralty court” with a British-appointed judge;
fears that the Sugar Act would make colonies “slaves” to Britain;
argued that those in the colonies were being treated as less than Englishmen;
points of the act were debated but reality was that the act revealed new efforts by the British to take more control of the colonies;
some English parliamentarians argued that the colonists did not have the same rights as Englishmen because they were living outside of Britain – “second class subjects of the king.”
Imperial Reform, (Enormous debt followed Britain’s “Great War for Empire”; salutary neglect replaced with regulation and taxation in the colonies.)
George Grenville: Imperial Reformer (Grenville in Parliament since 1741; became prime minister in 1763 when British taxes were five times American taxes.)
1. The Sugar Act (1764) – 3 pence/gallon duty on French molasses in the colonies; publicly Americans argued that the new tax would destroy the French trade and the American distilling industry; Americans sought ways to evade this new tax (bribing officials, smuggling).
2. Constitutional Conflict – debate began over whether the act was unlawful as the tax did not “originate with the people”; those accused of breaking the law were to be tried by “vice-admiralty court” with a British-appointed judge; fears that the Sugar Act would make colonies “slaves” to Britain; argued that those in the colonies were being treated as less than Englishmen; points of the act were debated but reality was that the act revealed new efforts by the British to take more control of the colonies; some English parliamentarians argued that the colonists did not have the same rights as Englishmen because they were living outside of Britain – “second class subjects of the king.” 9

11. I. Imperial Reform, 1763-1765 An Open Challenge: The Stamp Act
1. First Imperial Crisis
required stamps on all court documents, land titles, contracts, newspapers, other printed materials;
intended to cover at least a portion of the cost of keeping troops in the colonies;
Grenville: either colonies pay for their own defense or face a stamp tax;
British contended that colonies had “virtual representation” because of Parliament members who were transatlantic merchants and sugar planters in the West Indies;
House of Commons ignored colonial protest of the Act;
passed a Quartering Act that directed colonies to provide barracks and food for troops.
Imperial Reform,
An Open Challenge: The Stamp Act
1. First Imperial Crisis – required stamps on all court documents, land titles, contracts, newspapers, other printed materials; intended to cover at least a portion of the cost of keeping troops in the colonies; Grenville: either colonies pay for their own defense or face a stamp tax; British contended that colonies had “virtual representation” because of Parliament members who were transatlantic merchants and sugar planters in the West Indies; House of Commons ignored colonial protest of the Act; passed a Quartering Act that directed colonies to provide barracks and food for troops.

12. II. The Dynamics of Rebellion, 1765-1770 (“Patriots”: defenders of Americans’ rights.)
Politicians Protest and the Crowd Rebels
1. The Stamp Act Congress
2. The Motives of the Crowd
The Ideological Roots of Resistance
1. Intellectual Traditions
The Dynamics of Rebellion,
(“Patriots”: defenders of Americans’ rights.)
Politicians Protest and the Crowd Rebels
1. The Stamp Act Congress – in Virginia, Patrick Henry and others publicly condemned Grenville and George III; nine assemblies sent delegates to the Congress, New York City, October 1765; protested the loss of “rights and liberties”; declared that only representatives elected by colonists could tax the people; petitioned for the repeal of the Act; some members formed a boycott of British goods; after Nov. 1, 1765, mobs began to demand that stamp tax collectors resign; in Boston “Sons of Liberty” burned a tax collector in effigy and, later, destroyed the home of the Lt. Gov.; mobs (artisans and merchants) were encouraged by the wealthy; nearly every colony had protests.
2. The Motives of the Crowd – mob actions had historic meaning among English but goals of the crowds in the colonies were new; some had political motives while others enjoyed the excitement of the action; protest worked – in most colonies the collectors gave up their positions as a result of public pressure.
The Ideological Roots of Resistance
1. Intellectual Traditions – protest started in seaports because they had the most direct involvement with British; Patriot writers drew on three main influences: 1) English common law, 2) Enlightenment rationalism, 3) republican and Whig political tradition.

13. II. The Dynamics of Rebellion, 1765-1770 (“Patriots”: defenders of Americans’ rights.)
Politicians Protest and the Crowd Rebels
1. The Stamp Act Congress
in Virginia, Patrick Henry and others publicly condemned Grenville and George III;
nine assemblies sent delegates to the Congress, New York City, October 1765;
protested the loss of “rights and liberties”;
declared that only representatives elected by colonists could tax the people; petitioned for the repeal of the Act;
some members formed a boycott of British goods;
The Dynamics of Rebellion,
(“Patriots”: defenders of Americans’ rights.)
Politicians Protest and the Crowd Rebels
1. The Stamp Act Congress – in Virginia, Patrick Henry and others publicly condemned Grenville and George III; nine assemblies sent delegates to the Congress, New York City, October 1765; protested the loss of “rights and liberties”; declared that only representatives elected by colonists could tax the people; petitioned for the repeal of the Act; some members formed a boycott of British goods; after Nov. 1, 1765, mobs began to demand that stamp tax collectors resign; in Boston “Sons of Liberty” burned a tax collector in effigy and, later, destroyed the home of the Lt. Gov.; mobs (artisans and merchants) were encouraged by the wealthy; nearly every colony had protests.
2. The Motives of the Crowd – mob actions had historic meaning among English but goals of the crowds in the colonies were new; some had political motives while others enjoyed the excitement of the action; protest worked – in most colonies the collectors gave up their positions as a result of public pressure.
The Ideological Roots of Resistance
1. Intellectual Traditions – protest started in seaports because they had the most direct involvement with British; Patriot writers drew on three main influences: 1) English common law, 2) Enlightenment rationalism, 3) republican and Whig political tradition.

14. II. The Dynamics of Rebellion, 1765-1770 (“Patriots”: defenders of Americans’ rights.)
Politicians Protest and the Crowd Rebels
1. The Stamp Act Congress
after Nov. 1, 1765, mobs began to demand that stamp tax collectors resign; in Boston “Sons of Liberty” burned a tax collector in effigy and, later, destroyed the home of the Lt. Gov.; mobs (artisans and merchants) were encouraged by the wealthy; nearly every colony had protests.
The Dynamics of Rebellion,
(“Patriots”: defenders of Americans’ rights.)
Politicians Protest and the Crowd Rebels
1. The Stamp Act Congress – in Virginia, Patrick Henry and others publicly condemned Grenville and George III; nine assemblies sent delegates to the Congress, New York City, October 1765; protested the loss of “rights and liberties”; declared that only representatives elected by colonists could tax the people; petitioned for the repeal of the Act; some members formed a boycott of British goods; after Nov. 1, 1765, mobs began to demand that stamp tax collectors resign; in Boston “Sons of Liberty” burned a tax collector in effigy and, later, destroyed the home of the Lt. Gov.; mobs (artisans and merchants) were encouraged by the wealthy; nearly every colony had protests.
2. The Motives of the Crowd – mob actions had historic meaning among English but goals of the crowds in the colonies were new; some had political motives while others enjoyed the excitement of the action; protest worked – in most colonies the collectors gave up their positions as a result of public pressure.
The Ideological Roots of Resistance
1. Intellectual Traditions – protest started in seaports because they had the most direct involvement with British; Patriot writers drew on three main influences: 1) English common law, 2) Enlightenment rationalism, 3) republican and Whig political tradition.

15. II. The Dynamics of Rebellion, 1765-1770 (“Patriots”: defenders of Americans’ rights.)
Politicians Protest and the Crowd Rebels
2. The Motives of the Crowd
mob actions had historic meaning among English but goals of the crowds in the colonies were new;
some had political motives while others enjoyed the excitement of the action;
protest worked – in most colonies the collectors gave up their positions as a result of public pressure.
The Ideological Roots of Resistance
1. Intellectual Traditions
The Dynamics of Rebellion,
(“Patriots”: defenders of Americans’ rights.)
Politicians Protest and the Crowd Rebels
1. The Stamp Act Congress – in Virginia, Patrick Henry and others publicly condemned Grenville and George III; nine assemblies sent delegates to the Congress, New York City, October 1765; protested the loss of “rights and liberties”; declared that only representatives elected by colonists could tax the people; petitioned for the repeal of the Act; some members formed a boycott of British goods; after Nov. 1, 1765, mobs began to demand that stamp tax collectors resign; in Boston “Sons of Liberty” burned a tax collector in effigy and, later, destroyed the home of the Lt. Gov.; mobs (artisans and merchants) were encouraged by the wealthy; nearly every colony had protests.
2. The Motives of the Crowd – mob actions had historic meaning among English but goals of the crowds in the colonies were new; some had political motives while others enjoyed the excitement of the action; protest worked – in most colonies the collectors gave up their positions as a result of public pressure.
The Ideological Roots of Resistance
1. Intellectual Traditions – protest started in seaports because they had the most direct involvement with British; Patriot writers drew on three main influences: 1) English common law, 2) Enlightenment rationalism, 3) republican and Whig political tradition.

16. II. The Dynamics of Rebellion, 1765-1770 (“Patriots”: defenders of Americans’ rights.)
The Ideological Roots of Resistance
1. Intellectual Traditions
protest started in seaports because they had the most direct involvement with British;
Patriot writers drew on three main influences:
English common law
Enlightenment rationalism
3) republican and Whig political tradition.
The Dynamics of Rebellion,
(“Patriots”: defenders of Americans’ rights.)
Politicians Protest and the Crowd Rebels
1. The Stamp Act Congress – in Virginia, Patrick Henry and others publicly condemned Grenville and George III; nine assemblies sent delegates to the Congress, New York City, October 1765; protested the loss of “rights and liberties”; declared that only representatives elected by colonists could tax the people; petitioned for the repeal of the Act; some members formed a boycott of British goods; after Nov. 1, 1765, mobs began to demand that stamp tax collectors resign; in Boston “Sons of Liberty” burned a tax collector in effigy and, later, destroyed the home of the Lt. Gov.; mobs (artisans and merchants) were encouraged by the wealthy; nearly every colony had protests.
2. The Motives of the Crowd – mob actions had historic meaning among English but goals of the crowds in the colonies were new; some had political motives while others enjoyed the excitement of the action; protest worked – in most colonies the collectors gave up their positions as a result of public pressure.
The Ideological Roots of Resistance
1. Intellectual Traditions – protest started in seaports because they had the most direct involvement with British; Patriot writers drew on three main influences: 1) English common law, 2) Enlightenment rationalism, 3) republican and Whig political tradition.

17. II. The Dynamics of Rebellion, 1765-1770
Parliament Compromises, 1766
1. Repeal of the Stamp Act
Grenville out as PM because of domestic issues;
three parliamentary factions pushed for repeal
Old Whigs
British merchants who feared the continuation of the trade boycott
former PM Pitt and his allies who argued that Parliament did not have the authority to tax the colonies
PM Rockingham repealed the Act but made clear his belief that Parliament had power to make laws to govern the colonies.
The Dynamics of Rebellion,
Parliament Compromises, 1766
1. Repeal of the Stamp Act – Grenville out as PM because of domestic issues; three parliamentary factions pushed for repeal: 1) Old Whigs, 2) British merchants who feared the continuation of the trade boycott, 3) former PM Pitt and his allies who argued that Parliament did not have the authority to tax the colonies; PM Rockingham repealed the Act but made clear his belief that Parliament had power to make laws to govern the colonies.

18. II. The Dynamics of Rebellion, 1765-1770
Charles Townshend Steps In
(Held position as “chancellor of the exchequer” under PM William Pitt)
1. Townshend Act of 1767
duties on colonial imports of paper, paint, glass, tea;
some revenue for cost of military in America, some for salaries of royal governors, judges, which would make them loyal to the crown;
followed by other acts that forced the will of parliament on the colonists and punished them for non-compliance.
The Dynamics of Rebellion,
Charles Townshend Steps In (Held position as “chancellor of the exchequer” under PM William Pitt)
1. Townshend Act of 1767 – duties on colonial imports of paper, paint, glass, tea; some revenue for cost of military in America, some for salaries of royal governors, judges, which would make them loyal to the crown; followed by other acts that forced the will of parliament on the colonists and punished them for non-compliance. 18

19. II. The Dynamics of Rebellion, 1765-1770
America Debates and Resists Again
1. A Second Boycott and the Daughters of Liberty
2. Britain Threatens Coercion
Lord North Compromises, 1770
1. Nonimportation Succeeds
2. Sovereignty Debated
The Dynamics of Rebellion,
America Debates and Resists Again
1. A Second Boycott and the Daughters of Liberty – colonial leaders focused on the intent of the Acts; 1768 Massachusetts assembly condemned the Acts and began a boycott of British goods with New York merchants following suit; women became valuable producers of “homespun” cloth, enabling the boycott to continue; “Daughters of Liberty”: women who produced homespun textiles, drank coffee not tea as acts of patriotism; colonists who were not previously politically active felt compelled to participate in the boycott as it spread beyond Massachusetts and New York.
2. Britain Threatens Coercion – angry over opposition, British send General Gage and 4,000 troops to Massachusetts.
Lord North Compromises, 1770
1. Nonimportation Succeeds – economic problems in Britain hurt parliamentary resolve; thousands of families migrated to American colonies from England and Scotland after abandoning farms; merchants and manufacturers blamed the Acts for domestic economic problems, asked parliament to repeal; 1770 PM Lord North argued for repeal but for a continuation of tax on tea; colonists stopped the boycott; outbreaks of violence continued in New York and Massachusetts; March 1770 “Boston Massacre” after a group of soldiers fired into a crowd of protestors killing five.
2. Sovereignty Debated – most colonists remained loyal, many American leaders believed by 1770 that British wanted to exploit colonies for their own gain; B. Franklin: colonies were now distinct states with “the same Head, or Sovereign, the King.”

20. II. The Dynamics of Rebellion, 1765-1770
America Debates and Resists Again
1. A Second Boycott and the Daughters of Liberty
colonial leaders focused on the intent of the Acts
1768 Massachusetts assembly condemned the Acts and began a boycott of British goods with New York merchants following suit
women became valuable producers of “homespun” cloth, enabling the boycott to continue
“Daughters of Liberty”: women who produced homespun textiles, drank coffee not tea as acts of patriotism
colonists who were not previously politically active felt compelled to participate in the boycott as it spread beyond Massachusetts and New York.
2. Britain Threatens Coercion
Lord North Compromises, 1770
1. Nonimportation Succeeds
2. Sovereignty Debated
The Dynamics of Rebellion,
America Debates and Resists Again
1. A Second Boycott and the Daughters of Liberty – colonial leaders focused on the intent of the Acts; 1768 Massachusetts assembly condemned the Acts and began a boycott of British goods with New York merchants following suit; women became valuable producers of “homespun” cloth, enabling the boycott to continue; “Daughters of Liberty”: women who produced homespun textiles, drank coffee not tea as acts of patriotism; colonists who were not previously politically active felt compelled to participate in the boycott as it spread beyond Massachusetts and New York.
2. Britain Threatens Coercion – angry over opposition, British send General Gage and 4,000 troops to Massachusetts.
Lord North Compromises, 1770
1. Nonimportation Succeeds – economic problems in Britain hurt parliamentary resolve; thousands of families migrated to American colonies from England and Scotland after abandoning farms; merchants and manufacturers blamed the Acts for domestic economic problems, asked parliament to repeal; 1770 PM Lord North argued for repeal but for a continuation of tax on tea; colonists stopped the boycott; outbreaks of violence continued in New York and Massachusetts; March 1770 “Boston Massacre” after a group of soldiers fired into a crowd of protestors killing five.
2. Sovereignty Debated – most colonists remained loyal, many American leaders believed by 1770 that British wanted to exploit colonies for their own gain; B. Franklin: colonies were now distinct states with “the same Head, or Sovereign, the King.”

21. II. The Dynamics of Rebellion, 1765-1770
America Debates and Resists Again
Britain Threatens Coercion
angry over opposition, British send General Gage and 4,000 troops to Massachusetts.
The Dynamics of Rebellion,
America Debates and Resists Again
1. A Second Boycott and the Daughters of Liberty – colonial leaders focused on the intent of the Acts; 1768 Massachusetts assembly condemned the Acts and began a boycott of British goods with New York merchants following suit; women became valuable producers of “homespun” cloth, enabling the boycott to continue; “Daughters of Liberty”: women who produced homespun textiles, drank coffee not tea as acts of patriotism; colonists who were not previously politically active felt compelled to participate in the boycott as it spread beyond Massachusetts and New York.
2. Britain Threatens Coercion – angry over opposition, British send General Gage and 4,000 troops to Massachusetts.
Lord North Compromises, 1770
1. Nonimportation Succeeds – economic problems in Britain hurt parliamentary resolve; thousands of families migrated to American colonies from England and Scotland after abandoning farms; merchants and manufacturers blamed the Acts for domestic economic problems, asked parliament to repeal; 1770 PM Lord North argued for repeal but for a continuation of tax on tea; colonists stopped the boycott; outbreaks of violence continued in New York and Massachusetts; March 1770 “Boston Massacre” after a group of soldiers fired into a crowd of protestors killing five.
2. Sovereignty Debated – most colonists remained loyal, many American leaders believed by 1770 that British wanted to exploit colonies for their own gain; B. Franklin: colonies were now distinct states with “the same Head, or Sovereign, the King.”

22. II. The Dynamics of Rebellion, 1765-1770
Lord North Compromises, 1770
1. Nonimportation Succeeds
economic problems in Britain hurt parliamentary resolve
thousands of families migrated to American colonies from England and Scotland after abandoning farms
merchants and manufacturers blamed the Acts for domestic economic problems, asked parliament to repeal
1770 PM Lord North argued for repeal but for a continuation of tax on tea
colonists stopped the boycott
outbreaks of violence continued in New York and Massachusetts
March 1770 “Boston Massacre” after a group of soldiers fired into a crowd of protestors killing five.
2. Sovereignty Debated
The Dynamics of Rebellion,
America Debates and Resists Again
1. A Second Boycott and the Daughters of Liberty – colonial leaders focused on the intent of the Acts; 1768 Massachusetts assembly condemned the Acts and began a boycott of British goods with New York merchants following suit; women became valuable producers of “homespun” cloth, enabling the boycott to continue; “Daughters of Liberty”: women who produced homespun textiles, drank coffee not tea as acts of patriotism; colonists who were not previously politically active felt compelled to participate in the boycott as it spread beyond Massachusetts and New York.
2. Britain Threatens Coercion – angry over opposition, British send General Gage and 4,000 troops to Massachusetts.
Lord North Compromises, 1770
1. Nonimportation Succeeds – economic problems in Britain hurt parliamentary resolve; thousands of families migrated to American colonies from England and Scotland after abandoning farms; merchants and manufacturers blamed the Acts for domestic economic problems, asked parliament to repeal; 1770 PM Lord North argued for repeal but for a continuation of tax on tea; colonists stopped the boycott; outbreaks of violence continued in New York and Massachusetts; March 1770 “Boston Massacre” after a group of soldiers fired into a crowd of protestors killing five.
2. Sovereignty Debated – most colonists remained loyal, many American leaders believed by 1770 that British wanted to exploit colonies for their own gain; B. Franklin: colonies were now distinct states with “the same Head, or Sovereign, the King.”

23. II. The Dynamics of Rebellion, 1765-1770
Lord North Compromises, 1770
2. Sovereignty Debated
most colonists remained loyal, many American leaders believed by 1770 that British wanted to exploit colonies for their own gain
B. Franklin: colonies were now distinct states with “the same Head, or Sovereign, the King.”
The Dynamics of Rebellion,
America Debates and Resists Again
1. A Second Boycott and the Daughters of Liberty – colonial leaders focused on the intent of the Acts; 1768 Massachusetts assembly condemned the Acts and began a boycott of British goods with New York merchants following suit; women became valuable producers of “homespun” cloth, enabling the boycott to continue; “Daughters of Liberty”: women who produced homespun textiles, drank coffee not tea as acts of patriotism; colonists who were not previously politically active felt compelled to participate in the boycott as it spread beyond Massachusetts and New York.
2. Britain Threatens Coercion – angry over opposition, British send General Gage and 4,000 troops to Massachusetts.
Lord North Compromises, 1770
1. Nonimportation Succeeds – economic problems in Britain hurt parliamentary resolve; thousands of families migrated to American colonies from England and Scotland after abandoning farms; merchants and manufacturers blamed the Acts for domestic economic problems, asked parliament to repeal; 1770 PM Lord North argued for repeal but for a continuation of tax on tea; colonists stopped the boycott; outbreaks of violence continued in New York and Massachusetts; March 1770 “Boston Massacre” after a group of soldiers fired into a crowd of protestors killing five.
2. Sovereignty Debated – most colonists remained loyal, many American leaders believed by 1770 that British wanted to exploit colonies for their own gain; B. Franklin: colonies were now distinct states with “the same Head, or Sovereign, the King.”

26. Describe the action depicted here by silversmith and Patriot Paul Revere in his engraving of the “Boston Massacre,” March 1770.
Ask students to describe the action depicted here by silversmith and Patriot Paul Revere in his engraving of the “Boston Massacre,” March 1770.
1. What did Revere hope to convey to his audience through about the presence of the British Army in Boston?
(Answer: depiction of armed soldiers firing on a seemingly-innocent, unarmed crowd of colonists, some bleeding, illustrates the perspective of Patriots that the Army was there not to maintain peace but to enact tyranny and terror on the people of Boston.)
2. Examine the Redcoats. What does their posture say to the viewing audience about their actions?
(Answer: right hand side of the engraving shows a Redcoat with sword raised, encouraging the others in their offensive action; the soldiers’ guns are aimed at the crowd despite the obviously injured colonists on the ground; the Redcoats are not being fired upon and their weapons remain raised.)
3. Imagine you are a Virginian seeing Revere’s engraving in your newspaper in the days and weeks following the events in Boston. How might this image impact your perspective of colonial relations with England? Of the presence of the British Army in North America?
(Answers: Revere’s depiction of the Massacre confirmed what Patriots throughout the colonies perceived as tyrannical actions of the British in North America; with the presence of a standing army in the colonies, economic and political disputes could lead to violence.)

27. What did Revere hope to convey to his audience through about the presence of the British Army in Boston?
Ask students to describe the action depicted here by silversmith and Patriot Paul Revere in his engraving of the “Boston Massacre,” March 1770.
1. What did Revere hope to convey to his audience through about the presence of the British Army in Boston?
(Answer: depiction of armed soldiers firing on a seemingly-innocent, unarmed crowd of colonists, some bleeding, illustrates the perspective of Patriots that the Army was there not to maintain peace but to enact tyranny and terror on the people of Boston.)
2. Examine the Redcoats. What does their posture say to the viewing audience about their actions?
(Answer: right hand side of the engraving shows a Redcoat with sword raised, encouraging the others in their offensive action; the soldiers’ guns are aimed at the crowd despite the obviously injured colonists on the ground; the Redcoats are not being fired upon and their weapons remain raised.)
3. Imagine you are a Virginian seeing Revere’s engraving in your newspaper in the days and weeks following the events in Boston. How might this image impact your perspective of colonial relations with England? Of the presence of the British Army in North America?
(Answers: Revere’s depiction of the Massacre confirmed what Patriots throughout the colonies perceived as tyrannical actions of the British in North America; with the presence of a standing army in the colonies, economic and political disputes could lead to violence.)

28. Examine the Redcoats. What does their posture say to the viewing audience about their actions?
Ask students to describe the action depicted here by silversmith and Patriot Paul Revere in his engraving of the “Boston Massacre,” March 1770.
1. What did Revere hope to convey to his audience through about the presence of the British Army in Boston?
(Answer: depiction of armed soldiers firing on a seemingly-innocent, unarmed crowd of colonists, some bleeding, illustrates the perspective of Patriots that the Army was there not to maintain peace but to enact tyranny and terror on the people of Boston.)
2. Examine the Redcoats. What does their posture say to the viewing audience about their actions?
(Answer: right hand side of the engraving shows a Redcoat with sword raised, encouraging the others in their offensive action; the soldiers’ guns are aimed at the crowd despite the obviously injured colonists on the ground; the Redcoats are not being fired upon and their weapons remain raised.)
3. Imagine you are a Virginian seeing Revere’s engraving in your newspaper in the days and weeks following the events in Boston. How might this image impact your perspective of colonial relations with England? Of the presence of the British Army in North America?
(Answers: Revere’s depiction of the Massacre confirmed what Patriots throughout the colonies perceived as tyrannical actions of the British in North America; with the presence of a standing army in the colonies, economic and political disputes could lead to violence.)

29. Imagine you are a Virginian seeing Revere’s engraving in your newspaper in the days and weeks following the events in Boston. How might this image impact your perspective of colonial relations with England? Of the presence of the British Army in North America?
Ask students to describe the action depicted here by silversmith and Patriot Paul Revere in his engraving of the “Boston Massacre,” March 1770.
1. What did Revere hope to convey to his audience through about the presence of the British Army in Boston?
(Answer: depiction of armed soldiers firing on a seemingly-innocent, unarmed crowd of colonists, some bleeding, illustrates the perspective of Patriots that the Army was there not to maintain peace but to enact tyranny and terror on the people of Boston.)
2. Examine the Redcoats. What does their posture say to the viewing audience about their actions?
(Answer: right hand side of the engraving shows a Redcoat with sword raised, encouraging the others in their offensive action; the soldiers’ guns are aimed at the crowd despite the obviously injured colonists on the ground; the Redcoats are not being fired upon and their weapons remain raised.)
3. Imagine you are a Virginian seeing Revere’s engraving in your newspaper in the days and weeks following the events in Boston. How might this image impact your perspective of colonial relations with England? Of the presence of the British Army in North America?
(Answers: Revere’s depiction of the Massacre confirmed what Patriots throughout the colonies perceived as tyrannical actions of the British in North America; with the presence of a standing army in the colonies, economic and political disputes could lead to violence.)

30. III. The Road to Independence, 1771-1776
A Compromise Repudiated
1. The East India Company and the Tea Act
2. The Tea Party and the Coercive Act
The Road to Independence,
A Compromise Repudiated
1. The East India Company and the Tea Act – despite repeal of Townshend Acts animosity continued; in Massachusetts radical patriots organized “committees of correspondence” in 1772 to “state the Rights of the Colonists of this Province”; Tea Act passed 1773 to provide relief for the East India Co.’s debt (government loan and canceled English import duty on tea); further debate and resistance on the tea issue caused turmoil.
2. The Tea Party and the Coercive Acts – committees of correspondence organized resistance to Tea Act; December 1773 artisans and laborers dressed as Indians threw tea into the harbor; anger in Britain over this action; four Coercive Acts passed: 1) Port Bill closed the Harbor, 2) Government Act annulled Massachusetts charter/no town meetings, 3) Quartering Act with mandatory new barracks, 4) Justice Act with trials for capital crimes transferred to other colonies or Britain; called “Intolerable Acts” by patriots; 1774 Quebec Act allowing Roman Catholicism in Quebec and extending the provinces boundary into the Ohio River Valley.

31. III. The Road to Independence, 1771-1776
A Compromise Repudiated
1. The East India Company and the Tea Act
despite repeal of Townshend Acts animosity continued; in Massachusetts radical patriots organized “committees of correspondence” in 1772 to “state the Rights of the Colonists of this Province”
Tea Act passed 1773 to provide relief for the East India Co.’s debt (government loan and canceled English import duty on tea)
further debate and resistance on the tea issue caused turmoil.
2. The Tea Party and the Coercive Act
The Road to Independence,
A Compromise Repudiated
1. The East India Company and the Tea Act – despite repeal of Townshend Acts animosity continued; in Massachusetts radical patriots organized “committees of correspondence” in 1772 to “state the Rights of the Colonists of this Province”; Tea Act passed 1773 to provide relief for the East India Co.’s debt (government loan and canceled English import duty on tea); further debate and resistance on the tea issue caused turmoil.
2. The Tea Party and the Coercive Acts – committees of correspondence organized resistance to Tea Act; December 1773 artisans and laborers dressed as Indians threw tea into the harbor; anger in Britain over this action; four Coercive Acts passed: 1) Port Bill closed the Harbor, 2) Government Act annulled Massachusetts charter/no town meetings, 3) Quartering Act with mandatory new barracks, 4) Justice Act with trials for capital crimes transferred to other colonies or Britain; called “Intolerable Acts” by patriots; 1774 Quebec Act allowing Roman Catholicism in Quebec and extending the provinces boundary into the Ohio River Valley.

32. III. The Road to Independence, 1771-1776
A Compromise Repudiated
2. The Tea Party and the Coercive Act
committees of correspondence organized resistance to Tea Act;
December 1773 artisans and laborers dressed as Indians threw tea into the harbor;
anger in Britain over this action
four Coercive Acts passed:
Port Bill closed the Harbor
Government Act annulled Massachusetts charter/no town meetings
Quartering Act with mandatory new barracks
Justice Act with trials for capital crimes transferred to other colonies or Britain
called “Intolerable Acts” by patriots
1774 Quebec Act allowing Roman Catholicism in Quebec and extending the provinces boundary into the Ohio River Valley.
The Road to Independence,
A Compromise Repudiated
1. The East India Company and the Tea Act – despite repeal of Townshend Acts animosity continued; in Massachusetts radical patriots organized “committees of correspondence” in 1772 to “state the Rights of the Colonists of this Province”; Tea Act passed 1773 to provide relief for the East India Co.’s debt (government loan and canceled English import duty on tea); further debate and resistance on the tea issue caused turmoil.
2. The Tea Party and the Coercive Acts – committees of correspondence organized resistance to Tea Act; December 1773 artisans and laborers dressed as Indians threw tea into the harbor; anger in Britain over this action; four Coercive Acts passed: 1) Port Bill closed the Harbor, 2) Government Act annulled Massachusetts charter/no town meetings, 3) Quartering Act with mandatory new barracks, 4) Justice Act with trials for capital crimes transferred to other colonies or Britain; called “Intolerable Acts” by patriots; 1774 Quebec Act allowing Roman Catholicism in Quebec and extending the provinces boundary into the Ohio River Valley.

33. 1. Describe the appearance of the men involved in this political protest.
(Answer: some are dressed in traditional Englishmen’s clothing, including jackets and hats, while others appear disguised as Native Americans.)
2. In your opinion, was the destruction of British tea a useful form of political protest? Why or why not?
(Answer: some students might speculate that destroying British property hurt them economically and could have resulted in their recognition of the seriousness of colonial anger at taxation; others might discuss the anger that resulted from the Tea Party and led to Parliament enacting the Coercive Acts against Massachusetts.)

34. 2. In your opinion, was the destruction of British tea a useful form of political protest? Why or why not?
1. Describe the appearance of the men involved in this political protest.
(Answer: some are dressed in traditional Englishmen’s clothing, including jackets and hats, while others appear disguised as Native Americans.)
2. In your opinion, was the destruction of British tea a useful form of political protest? Why or why not?
(Answer: some students might speculate that destroying British property hurt them economically and could have resulted in their recognition of the seriousness of colonial anger at taxation; others might discuss the anger that resulted from the Tea Party and led to Parliament enacting the Coercive Acts against Massachusetts.)

35. 1. Decipher as many as the slogans written on the men’s signage as are readable.
(Answers: on land: “No Lords Spiritual or Temporal in New England,” “Liberty is Freedom of Conscience,” “Locke”; on the ship: “Lord now lettest thou thy Servant depart in Peace.”)
2. What are the men protesting? On what theoretical grounds are basing their dissent?
(Answers: protesting the attempt by the British to put a Bishop in the North American colonies; these men want no “Lords,” religious or secular rulers, in the colonies; demand for freedom of religion; reference to the teachings of John Locke, government coming from “natural rights” of life, liberty, and property.
3. What political viewpoint or bias is being expressed by this cartoon?
(Answer: at the bottom of the cartoon: “Should they be obliged to maintain Bishops that cannot maintain themselves” indicates an anti-colonial perspective.)

36. 2. What are the men protesting
2. What are the men protesting? On what theoretical grounds are basing their dissent?
1. Decipher as many as the slogans written on the men’s signage as are readable.
(Answers: on land: “No Lords Spiritual or Temporal in New England,” “Liberty is Freedom of Conscience,” “Locke”; on the ship: “Lord now lettest thou thy Servant depart in Peace.”)
2. What are the men protesting? On what theoretical grounds are basing their dissent?
(Answers: protesting the attempt by the British to put a Bishop in the North American colonies; these men want no “Lords,” religious or secular rulers, in the colonies; demand for freedom of religion; reference to the teachings of John Locke, government coming from “natural rights” of life, liberty, and property.
3. What political viewpoint or bias is being expressed by this cartoon?
(Answer: at the bottom of the cartoon: “Should they be obliged to maintain Bishops that cannot maintain themselves” indicates an anti-colonial perspective.)

37. 3. What political viewpoint or bias is being expressed by this cartoon?
1. Decipher as many as the slogans written on the men’s signage as are readable.
(Answers: on land: “No Lords Spiritual or Temporal in New England,” “Liberty is Freedom of Conscience,” “Locke”; on the ship: “Lord now lettest thou thy Servant depart in Peace.”)
2. What are the men protesting? On what theoretical grounds are basing their dissent?
(Answers: protesting the attempt by the British to put a Bishop in the North American colonies; these men want no “Lords,” religious or secular rulers, in the colonies; demand for freedom of religion; reference to the teachings of John Locke, government coming from “natural rights” of life, liberty, and property.
3. What political viewpoint or bias is being expressed by this cartoon?
(Answer: at the bottom of the cartoon: “Should they be obliged to maintain Bishops that cannot maintain themselves” indicates an anti-colonial perspective.)

38. III. The Road to Independence, 1771-1776
The Continental Congress Responds
Meeting in Philadelphia
12 mainland colonies met in Philadelphia September 1774; advocated a boycott
New Englanders wanted political union and defensive military plans
Middle Atlantic colonists wanted political compromise
suggestions for a new system in which each colony would have an assembly plus representation in a continent-wide political body, king would appoint a president
majority wanted “Declaration of Rights and Grievances”
called for an end to the Coercive Acts and gave British only limited control of trade
threatened to cut off all trade to Britain, Ireland, and British West Indies if the acts were not repealed by September 1775
Lord North imposed a naval blockade and ordered Gage to end resistance in Massachusetts.
The Road to Independence,
B. The Continental Congress Responds
1. Meeting in Philadelphia – 12 mainland colonies met in Philadelphia September 1774; advocated a boycott; New Englanders wanted political union and defensive military plans; Middle Atlantic colonists wanted political compromise; suggestions for a new system in which each colony would have an assembly plus representation in a continent-wide political body, king would appoint a president; majority wanted “Declaration of Rights and Grievances”; called for an end to the Coercive Acts and gave British only limited control of trade; threatened to cut off all trade to Britain, Ireland, and British West Indies if the acts were not repealed by September 1775; Lord North imposed a naval blockade and ordered Gage to end resistance in Massachusetts. 38

40. III. The Road to Independence, 1771-1776
The Rising of the Countryside
1. Rural Americans
farm families’ concerns rested on the issues of increasing taxes and their sons having to serve the British military
political consciousness of those in the countryside was raised by the urban rebellions of Boston and New York
80% of male heads of household in rural Concord, MA, supported nonimportation
patriots tired to convince farmers that British efforts in the colonies would hurt individual landownership (already becoming increasingly difficult)
southern slaveowners feared British limitations on land west of the Appalachian Mountains
fear that legislation like the Coercive Acts would be used on other colonies.
The Road to Independence,
The Rising of the Countryside
1. Rural Americans – farm families’ concerns rested on the issues of increasing taxes and their sons having to serve the British military; political consciousness of those in the countryside was raised by the urban rebellions of Boston and New York; 80% of male heads of household in rural Concord, MA, supported nonimportation; patriots tired to convince farmers that British efforts in the colonies would hurt individual landownership (already becoming increasingly difficult); southern slaveowners feared British limitations on land west of the Appalachian Mountains; fear that legislation like the Coercive Acts would be used on other colonies.

41. III. The Road to Independence, 1771-1776
Loyalist Americans
1. Supporters of the King
fears of anarchy; both wealthy and poor could be loyal for varying reasons
pacifist Quakers tried to remain neutral
tenant farmers disliked landlords and supported the king
fear of slave insurrection in support of the British.
The Road to Independence,
Loyalist Americans
1. Supporters of the King – fears of anarchy; both wealthy and poor could be loyal for varying reasons; pacifist Quakers tried to remain neutral; tenant farmers disliked landlords and supported the king; fear of slave insurrection in support of the British. 41

42. III. The Road to Independence, 1771-1776
Armed Resistance Begins
1. Minutemen
The Second Continental Congress Organizes for War
1. Congress versus King George
2. Fighting in the South
3. Thomas Paine’s Common Sense
4. Independence Declared
The Road to Independence,
Armed Resistance Begins
1. Minutemen – General Gage ordered British troops in Boston to seize Patriot armories in Charlestown and Cambridge; 20,000 militiamen mobilized to guard other locations; in Concord town meeting raised the “Minutemen”; to the British Massachusetts was in “open rebellion.”
The Second Continental Congress Organizes for War
1. Congress versus King George – moderates hoped for peace and reconciliation with the king; asked for repeal of oppressive measures; radical Patriots (Sam Adams, Patrick Henry) called for taking up arms; radicals gained support for an invasion of Canada; merchants cut off exports to Britain and her West Indies colonies.
2. Fighting in the South – local skirmishes between Loyalists and Patriots; Nov Lord Dunmore in Virginia promised freedom to slaves and indentured servants who joined Britain in the war; fears grew that the lower class would rebel against the Patriots; Patriots planned to meeting in 1776 Continental Congress to support independence.
3. Thomas Paine’s Common Sense – Americans were increasingly turning against the king; January 1776 Paine published the pamphlet calling for independence and a republican government; an assault on the monarchy.
4. Independence Declared – Patriot conventions called for independence; July 4, 1776, Declaration approved; authored by Thomas Jefferson and others; the king vilified; used Enlightenment thinking to proclaim the rights of men; linked individual liberty, popular sovereignty, and republican government.

43. III. The Road to Independence, 1771-1776
Armed Resistance Begins
1. Minutemen
General Gage ordered British troops in Boston to seize Patriot armories in Charlestown and Cambridge
20,000 militiamen mobilized to guard other locations; in Concord town meeting raised the “Minutemen”
to the British Massachusetts was in “open rebellion.”
The Road to Independence,
Armed Resistance Begins
1. Minutemen – General Gage ordered British troops in Boston to seize Patriot armories in Charlestown and Cambridge; 20,000 militiamen mobilized to guard other locations; in Concord town meeting raised the “Minutemen”; to the British Massachusetts was in “open rebellion.”
The Second Continental Congress Organizes for War
1. Congress versus King George – moderates hoped for peace and reconciliation with the king; asked for repeal of oppressive measures; radical Patriots (Sam Adams, Patrick Henry) called for taking up arms; radicals gained support for an invasion of Canada; merchants cut off exports to Britain and her West Indies colonies.
2. Fighting in the South – local skirmishes between Loyalists and Patriots; Nov Lord Dunmore in Virginia promised freedom to slaves and indentured servants who joined Britain in the war; fears grew that the lower class would rebel against the Patriots; Patriots planned to meeting in 1776 Continental Congress to support independence.
3. Thomas Paine’s Common Sense – Americans were increasingly turning against the king; January 1776 Paine published the pamphlet calling for independence and a republican government; an assault on the monarchy.
4. Independence Declared – Patriot conventions called for independence; July 4, 1776, Declaration approved; authored by Thomas Jefferson and others; the king vilified; used Enlightenment thinking to proclaim the rights of men; linked individual liberty, popular sovereignty, and republican government.

44. III. The Road to Independence, 1771-1776
F. The Second Continental Congress Organizes for War
1. Congress versus King George
moderates hoped for peace and reconciliation with the king; asked for repeal of oppressive measures;
radical Patriots (Sam Adams, Patrick Henry) called for taking up arms
radicals gained support for an invasion of Canada
merchants cut off exports to Britain and her West Indies colonies.
The Road to Independence,
Armed Resistance Begins
1. Minutemen – General Gage ordered British troops in Boston to seize Patriot armories in Charlestown and Cambridge; 20,000 militiamen mobilized to guard other locations; in Concord town meeting raised the “Minutemen”; to the British Massachusetts was in “open rebellion.”
The Second Continental Congress Organizes for War
1. Congress versus King George – moderates hoped for peace and reconciliation with the king; asked for repeal of oppressive measures; radical Patriots (Sam Adams, Patrick Henry) called for taking up arms; radicals gained support for an invasion of Canada; merchants cut off exports to Britain and her West Indies colonies.
2. Fighting in the South – local skirmishes between Loyalists and Patriots; Nov Lord Dunmore in Virginia promised freedom to slaves and indentured servants who joined Britain in the war; fears grew that the lower class would rebel against the Patriots; Patriots planned to meeting in 1776 Continental Congress to support independence.
3. Thomas Paine’s Common Sense – Americans were increasingly turning against the king; January 1776 Paine published the pamphlet calling for independence and a republican government; an assault on the monarchy.
4. Independence Declared – Patriot conventions called for independence; July 4, 1776, Declaration approved; authored by Thomas Jefferson and others; the king vilified; used Enlightenment thinking to proclaim the rights of men; linked individual liberty, popular sovereignty, and republican government.

45. III. The Road to Independence, 1771-1776
F. The Second Continental Congress Organizes for War
2. Fighting in the South
local skirmishes between Loyalists and Patriots
Nov Lord Dunmore in Virginia promised freedom to slaves and indentured servants who joined Britain in the war
fears grew that the lower class would rebel against the Patriots
Patriots planned to meeting in 1776 Continental Congress to support independence.
The Road to Independence,
Armed Resistance Begins
1. Minutemen – General Gage ordered British troops in Boston to seize Patriot armories in Charlestown and Cambridge; 20,000 militiamen mobilized to guard other locations; in Concord town meeting raised the “Minutemen”; to the British Massachusetts was in “open rebellion.”
The Second Continental Congress Organizes for War
1. Congress versus King George – moderates hoped for peace and reconciliation with the king; asked for repeal of oppressive measures; radical Patriots (Sam Adams, Patrick Henry) called for taking up arms; radicals gained support for an invasion of Canada; merchants cut off exports to Britain and her West Indies colonies.
2. Fighting in the South – local skirmishes between Loyalists and Patriots; Nov Lord Dunmore in Virginia promised freedom to slaves and indentured servants who joined Britain in the war; fears grew that the lower class would rebel against the Patriots; Patriots planned to meeting in 1776 Continental Congress to support independence.
3. Thomas Paine’s Common Sense – Americans were increasingly turning against the king; January 1776 Paine published the pamphlet calling for independence and a republican government; an assault on the monarchy.
4. Independence Declared – Patriot conventions called for independence; July 4, 1776, Declaration approved; authored by Thomas Jefferson and others; the king vilified; used Enlightenment thinking to proclaim the rights of men; linked individual liberty, popular sovereignty, and republican government.

46. III. The Road to Independence, 1771-1776
F. The Second Continental Congress Organizes for War
3. Thomas Paine’s Common Sense
Americans were increasingly turning against the king
January 1776 Paine published the pamphlet calling for independence and a republican government
an assault on the monarchy.
4. Independence Declared
Patriot conventions called for independence
July 4, 1776, Declaration approved; authored by Thomas Jefferson and others
the king vilified
used Enlightenment thinking to proclaim the rights of men
linked individual liberty, popular sovereignty, and republican government.
The Road to Independence,
Armed Resistance Begins
1. Minutemen – General Gage ordered British troops in Boston to seize Patriot armories in Charlestown and Cambridge; 20,000 militiamen mobilized to guard other locations; in Concord town meeting raised the “Minutemen”; to the British Massachusetts was in “open rebellion.”
The Second Continental Congress Organizes for War
1. Congress versus King George – moderates hoped for peace and reconciliation with the king; asked for repeal of oppressive measures; radical Patriots (Sam Adams, Patrick Henry) called for taking up arms; radicals gained support for an invasion of Canada; merchants cut off exports to Britain and her West Indies colonies.
2. Fighting in the South – local skirmishes between Loyalists and Patriots; Nov Lord Dunmore in Virginia promised freedom to slaves and indentured servants who joined Britain in the war; fears grew that the lower class would rebel against the Patriots; Patriots planned to meeting in 1776 Continental Congress to support independence.
3. Thomas Paine’s Common Sense – Americans were increasingly turning against the king; January 1776 Paine published the pamphlet calling for independence and a republican government; an assault on the monarchy.
4. Independence Declared – Patriot conventions called for independence; July 4, 1776, Declaration approved; authored by Thomas Jefferson and others; the king vilified; used Enlightenment thinking to proclaim the rights of men; linked individual liberty, popular sovereignty, and republican government.