Colonial Issues and Independent Ideas Under the pressure of new debts from a war between Britain and France, the British government tried to make its colonies pay for what it cost to govern and protect them. The British sparked deep anger and resentment among many colonists, who thought they were being treated like enslaved people rather than free men and women.

Issues that led to the War for Independence The end of salutary neglect –George Grenville (1763) minister to King George III Colonists should pay their share of war expenses Idea consistent with mercantilist theory –Colonies exist to sever the interests of the mother country –Goal is to obtain a favorable balance of trade –Colonies are needed for their raw materials and to buy manufactured goods –England wants a bigger share of the profit King George III

Issues that led to the War for Independence Sugar Act imposed Britain would now deliberately interfere in colonial matters Tax on molasses

Issues that led to the War for Independence Proclamation Line of 1763 halt colonial settlement west of Appalachians –Claimed could not protect them from Indians –Colonist move anyway –People are evicted from their homes –Angered them – England is cheating them out of their land

Issues that led to the War for Independence The Stamp Act (1765) –issued to raise funds for defense and supporting the colonies –led to the The Stamp Act Congress (1765) being formed merchants and artisans boycotted British goods colonists again argue “no taxation without representation.” –Stamp Act repealed in 1766 with Declaratory Act addendum The Stamp

Protesting of the Hated Stamp Act harassed tax collectors refused to buy goods tarred and feathered hung images of tax collectors in effigy Protest group forms “Sons of Liberty” Burning the Stamps in Protest

Issues that led to the War for Independence Quartering Act (1765) –4,000 soldier's are sent to Boston to enforce his laws One red coast for every citizen Colonist view this as an occupation/invaders –required colonists to house and feed British soldiers –Colonist see this as military occupation –New York Assembly suspended for refusal to comply

Issues that led to the War for Independence The Townshend Act (1767) –called for import duties on tea, glass, lead, oil, paper, and painter’s color –John Dickinson writes “Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania,” leading to more boycotts Called for an end to Parliament interference “Those who are taxed w/out their consent are slaves. We are taxed w/out our consent. We are therefore slaves.”

Issues that led to the War for Independence The Liberty (May 9, 1768) Surprise raid on the ship belonging to John Hancock Carrying wine and did not want to pay taxes to a king 3,000 miles away British seize the ship –View colonist as nothing more then smugglers Colonist react with outrage – riots take place throughout Boston British clamp down on Boston –Key to global trade –One of the busiest ports in the world –40% of everything exported to England makes it way to colonies though Boston John Hancock

Issues that led to the War for Independence The Boston Massacre (1770) –An angry mob gathering upset because many have lost their jobs –Face off against 8 Red Coats –Tensions exploded leading to five colonial deaths –Cripus Attucks dies –Pushed closer to war Engraving made by Paul Revere

The Bloody Massacre

British Misjudge the Situation Out rage spreads across the 13 colonies Due to the new system initiated by the Post Master General –Ben Franklin –Night riders cuts the delivery systems in half –They have one of the best mail systems in the world –Colonist are avid readers – 40 newspapers across the colonies British cannot contain the news all colonist know before the new arrives in England

Issues that led to the War for Independence The Boston Tea Party (1773) In response to the Tea Act (1773), which gave the British East India Tea Company a monopoly Due to the outrage England is forced to repeal all taxes –Except the one on tea “We can do no more here tonight!” Rebels dump more then 1 million dollars worth of tea into Boston Harbor

Issues that led to the War for Independence Intolerable Acts (1774) –Parliament passes the Closed the port of Boston until tea was paid Dissolved the Massachusetts leg. – Gen Gage new governor 100s loss their job Martial law until tea is paid for Royal officials accused of crimes - tried outside the colony

Issues that led to the War for Independence First Continent Congress meets in Philadelphia (1774) 56 delegates meet –Considered the first step in American democracy –Patrick Henry, John Adams, George Washington Asked for continuation of boycotts Olive Branch Petition sent to George III asking for return to “good old days” Volunteer militias organized throughout the colonies –An attack on one will be an attack on all Patrick Henry in Virginia says “Give me liberty or give me death!

Issues that led to the War for Independence The Militia men –Go through basic training in the Spring –Volunteer home guard –Pay for weapons on their own –Farmers, blacksmith, store owners, mason, carpenter –Citizen base protection unit –Had something to protect –Between 16 – 50 expected to serve –Ready to defend at a minutes notice

Issues that led to the War for Independence Lexington and Concord (April 19, 1775) –“the shot heard ‘round the world”

Issues that led to the War for Independence Two documents that spread ideas for independence –Thomas Paine writes Common Sense assaulting the whole idea of government by kings and aristocrats Separation between parent and child - natural –Thomas Jefferson writes the Declaration of Independence theorizes the notion of natural rights Thomas Paine