Steps Towards Revolution 1763 - 1776

Changes in Br. Empire Fr. & Indian War 1754-1763: Br. (and their Indian allies) fought France and their Indian allies…Br. won!!! BUT… Huge debt Need for new revenue Need to control Indians Need to station 10,000 troops in America $$$

Time to Tighten the Ship  Tighter control over trade (end salutary neglect): crack down on smugglers Raise taxes to get $ Tighter control over gov’t of colonies

New Policies Include: Proclamation Act of 1763: More gov’t officials & troops New trade & tax laws: Writs of Assistance Sugar Act Stamp Act

Stamp Act Protest

Effect of These Changes? Many Americans in disagreement about what to do (lack of unity). Americans Protest!!! Speeches: Stamp Act Congress: Boycotts Rebel groups formed

Effect of American Protests on British Policy? Br. Make some concessions, but continue to exert authority Stamp Act repealed (hooray!!!) Declaratory Act is passed (boo…hiss!!!) Townshend Acts (1767) passed: Tax everyday goods: lead, glass, paint and paper

New Laws Increase Resistance Mass. Circular Letter: Non-Importation Agreements: John Dickinson’s “Letters of a Penn. Farmer” Argue over: Virtual Representation Actual Representation

Br. Response to the Building Resistance? Repeal the Townshend Acts (yeahhh!!!) Station more troops in Boston (boooo!!!) March 1770: Boston Massacre Impact? Form Committees of Correspondence Pamphlets, meetings, newspapers

Engraving: Paul Revere

Sons of Liberty Cartoon

Boston Tea Party 12/16/1773 1773 Tea Act American response Br. Response: Coercive Acts Closed Port of Boston Disband Mass. Colonial Legislature Station more troops in Boston American response: First Continental Congress meets in Philadelphia

First Continental Congress (September 5, 1774) Representatives from all colonies, but Georgia, met in Philadelphia to discuss colonial responses to the Intolerable Acts - Created the “Declaration of Rights and Grievances” – a petition to King George III to respect the rights of the colonists (October 14, 1774)

1st Continental Congress September 5, 1774 – October 26, 1774 in Philadelphia. All colonies were represented, but Georgia. Leading delegates – George Washington, Patrick Henry (from?), John Jay (from?). Goals: determine their response to the Intolerable Acts, discuss how to assert their rights and English subjects wanted to be united in their response Issue “Declaration of American Rights” Actions: The colonists continued to boycott all British goods. Called people to arm themselves and form militias. Made a direct appeal to the king outlining their grievances. Outlined their rights a colonists Listed the ways in which Parliament had restricted or ignored their rights Discussed how England could change their policies to respect their rights. Agreed to meet again in May 1775. IT WAS NOT THEIR GOAL TO DISCUSS OR GAIN INDEPENDENCE FROM ENGLAND!

Final Steps Olive Branch Petition (rejected) – 7/1775 Americans begin to arm Br. Troops march on Lexington & Concord

Lexington and Concord

April, 1775 Americans are divided (VERY little unity): Loyalists: Stay w/Br.; laws are not so oppressive Patriots: Independence only; too many instances of oppression “Fence-Sitters” : these are the masses of people who are undecided or, worse, apathetic One year later: Declaration of Independence is signed…what happened?

King George III’ Response “The New England governments are in a state of rebellion, blows must decide.” November 18, 1775

Second Continental Congress (May 10, 1775) Representatives from each of the colonies met in Philadelphia to discuss the reasons for taking up arms Led by John Hancock Promised armed resistance until the end of tyrannical control by England and the acknowledgement of the colonist’s right as English citizens

Important Documents “Common Sense” – Jan. 1776 Written by Thomas Paine Make economic sense for Americans to separate from Britain 45 page pamphlet Written in simple language Everyday people can read an understand it Convinces many “fence sitters” to believe in independence Declaration of Independence – 7/4/1776 Written by T. Jefferson U.S. is independent (still have to fight a war to prove it) Gives reasons why U.S. declared independence Free to deal with other nations as they see fit Will inspire independence movements throughout Americas

2nd Continental Congress 2nd Continental Congress - body of representatives from the 13 colonies: Met from May 10, 1775 to March 1, 1781. adopted the Dec. of Ind. and the Articles of Confederation acted as the national government of the U.S. by: raising armies directing strategy appointing diplomats making formal treaties during the Rev.