WEEK 9 AMERICAN STUDIES 10 NOVEMBER 2014 From the French & Indian War to the Revolution

Privateers/ Buccaneers Authorized to capture merchant vessels from enemy countries, Knighted for their services--Sir Francis Drake, Sir Henry Morgan Unemployed when peace came in 1712 Turned to piracy—plundering ships from all nations

The Straights of Florida were a natural place for pirates to intercept merchant ships. The islands and shallow waters of the Bahamas provided many hiding places.

The Golden Age of Pirates Centered on Bahamas—a zone of freedom pirate commodores Set up an independent republic Able to buy off local authorities. Seen as heroes by common folk. Disrupted empires of Britain, France, Spain, especially the slave trade.

Who were the pirates? Unemployed buccaneers Disgruntled sailors Runaway indentured servants Runaway slaves Political enemies of King George I

What did pirates contribute to American culture? Democracy— – leaders were elected – Decisions voted on Meritocracy— – Elected for what they could do – Open to anyone—women, former slaves Equality— – loot divided fairly – Decent living & working conditions for all Social security—funds set aside for disabled crew members Disrespect for nationalism – Came from all nationalities, loyal to none

Piracy punished. The British Empire had to strike back. Piracy was costing them dearly in lost trade, but, more importantly, it threatened their way of life in which the rich were allowed to steal from the poor but not the other way around. The British Navy cracked down hard. Many pirates such as Captain Kidd, seen here, were hanged in chains as a warning to other pirates. The pirate attitude of resistance to authority lived on in the culture of sailors and dock-side workers and would become an important factor in beginning the American Revolution.

The French and Indian War officially ended in The French and their Indian allies were the losers, but the treaty to end the war left everyone unhappy.

The Treaty of Paris created a line of demarcation running along the ridge tops of the Appalachian Mountains. American settlers were not allowed beyond this line. The British took over the French fur trade. This made the Indians unhappy because the French were better trading partners.

The Treaty of Paris left everyone dissatisfied. The Indians, because they thought the British were lousy trading partners. American settlers, because they were not allowed onto the new-won land. The British: they had gone deep in debt to defeat the French. They thought the Americans owed them.

Pontiac’s Rebellion Coalition of tribes led by Ottawa chief Indians attacked British forts west of Appalachians British used small pox as a weapon.

Stamp Act 1765 Brits thought Americans should help pay for the war. Required purchase of a stamp for anything involving paper—newspaper, writing paper, marriage license, deck of cards.

Americans respond by Destroying tax collectors’ houses Not allowing stamps to be unloaded from ships Forcing tax collectors to resign Boycotting British products Forcing Parliament to rescind the tax.