The Coming of Independence Chapter 2, Sec. 2

Britain’s Colonial Policies until 1760 13 colonies controlled by king through the Privy Council and the Board of Trade in London. Parliament left administration of colonies to the Crown. Because London was so far away – there was a large measure of self-government. Each colonial legislature had broad law-making powers and used the power of the purse effectively against the royal governor. Relationship between Britain and the colonies had become federal – England provided for colonial defense and foreign affairs. Colonists had paid little in direct taxes to London.

Changes under George III George III came to throne in 1760. Britain began to deal more firmly with the colonies. New taxes imposed mostly to support British troops in North America. More restrictive trading pacts. Colonists began to take strong exception to policies like “taxation without representation.” But many saw themselves as British subjects loyal to Crown.

Growing Colonial Unity Early Attempts - 1643: New England Confederation - 1696: William Penn’s plan for inter-colonial cooperation The Albany Plan of Union – 1754 - Meeting of 7 northern colonies - Called by British Board of Trade - Main purpose: discuss problems of colonial trade and danger of attacks by French and Native Americans - Franklin proposed creation of an annual congress of delegates from each of 13 colonies with power to raise a military and make war and peace with Native Americans, regulate trade - Franklin’s plan acceptable to delegates by not the colonies and the Crown.

The Stamp Act Congress – October 1765 Parliament had passed Stamp Act of 1765 which required use of stamps on all legal documents, business agreements, newspapers These new taxes were denounced – “no taxation without representation” 9 colonies sent delegates to meeting in New York (no Georgia, New Hampshire, North Carolina, or Virginia) Prepared a protest, called Declaration of Rights and Grievances against British policies – sent to king Parliament repealed the Stamp Act but friction continued

Boston Massacre New laws passed that tied the colonies more closely to London – but colonists evaded the laws. Mob violence mounted at several ports and colonists supported a boycott of English goods. March 5, 1770 – British troops in Boston fired on a jeering crowd – 5 were killed.

Committees of Correspondence Committees of Correspondence organized resistance. This grew out of group formed by political leader Samuel Adams in 1772. These committees spread throughout the colonies providing a network of cooperation and exchange of information among patriots.

Boston Tea Party – Dec. 16th, 1773 Group of men disguised as Native Americans boarded 3 ships in Boston Harbor. They broke open chests and dumped the ships’ cargo into the sea. This was to protest British control of the tea trade.

First Continental Congress Spring of 1774, Parliament passed another set of laws to punish the colonists for the Boston Tea Party, etc. – the Intolerable Acts. These prompted calls for meeting of colonial delegates . Delegates met for two months beginning September 5, 1774 in Philadelphia. All colonies were represented except for Georgia. Sent George III the Declaration of Rights protesting Britain’s colonial policies. They urged all colonies to refuse trade with England until taxes and trade regulations were repealed. Meeting adjourned Oct. 26, 1774 with a call for a second congress to convene the following May.

The Second Continental Congress Britain refused compromise and even put more restrictive measures into place. Second Continental Congress met in Philadelphia – May 10, 1775. The revolution had already started. Each colony sent representatives. John Hancock was chosen president of the Congress. A continental army was created with Washington as the commander-in-chief.

Our First National Government July 1776 – March 1, 1781 Second Continental Congress became the nation’s first nation government for 5 years. It did not however rest on a constitutional base – and was condemned by the British and they labeled the delegates as traitors. It had a unicameral Congress that exercised both legislative and executive powers. Each colony had 1 vote legislatively. Executive functions were handled by committees of delegates.

The Declaration of Independence Richard Henry Lee proposed to the Congress that all political connection between them and Britain should be dissolved. Congress named a committee of 5 men to prepare such a proclamation of independence – Franklin, Adams, Sherman, Livingston, and Jefferson. July 4, 1776 – delegates signed the Declaration of Independence proclaiming a new nation. Jefferson was very much the main contributor. First political system based on nation that the people should rule instead of being ruled – at that they are created equal with certain unalienable rights. Thomas Jefferson

First State Constitutions 1776-1777 – most states adopted written constitutions which set out the principles, structures, and processes of their governments. Assemblies or conventions were commonly used to draft and then adopt the new documents. 1780 – Massachusetts set an example in the constitution-making process. This is the oldest state constitution and the oldest written constitution in the world. - they had a popularly elected convention submit its work to the votes for ratification.

Common Features of State Constitutions Expressed principle of popular sovereignty. Expressed principle of limited government – could exercise only those powers granted them by the people through a constitution. Expressed ideas of civil rights and liberties afforded the people . Included ideas of separation of powers and the concept of checks and balances.

Most state governors were given little real power. Most of the authority granted to government was placed in the hands of the legislature. Elective terms were purposely short – seldom more than one or two years. The right to vote was limited to adult white males with rigid qualifications, like property ownership