Lecture 1: The American Revolution as a Constitutional Struggle

French & Indian War ( ) HBackground H Expansion of British colonies H King George’s War HThe Albany Conference

French & Indian War ( ) HTreaty of Paris, 1763 H France depleted H Spain H British gains H Proclamation Line of 1763

French & Indian War ( ) HResults: H The colonies after the war HDepression HProclamation line HWartime experience H Unity among the colonies

The Road to War HBritish policy changes H Standing army HSoldiers HJobs HColonies to pay H George Grenville’s acts HSugar Act 1763 HCurrency Act 1764 H Stamp Act, 1765 HReaction: riots HSons of Liberty HRepealed

The Road to War HHeightened tension H Declaratory Act H Charles Townshend H Townshend Acts H 1769, Virginia Resolutions H Boston Massacre, 1770 H Committee of Correspondence

The Road to War HHeightened tension H Boston Tea Party, 1773 H Coercive Acts HContinental Congress(es), 1774 & 1775 HLexington & Concord, Apr. 14, 1775 HThomas Paine, Common Sense HDeclaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson, July 4, 1776

The Declaration of Independence When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

The Declaration of Independence We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed…

The War for Independence

The Revolution for the Nation H“13 clocks striking in unison” HDivisions between the states H Localism vs. Nationalism H States vs. national govt. H Large states vs. small H Landed states vs. landless H North vs. South

The Revolution for the Nation HTies that unite the nation? H Language? HNoah Webster H Territory? H Communications? H Religion? H Traditions? H Currency? H“What then is the American?” H American mythology HIdeal of equality HIdeal of self-made man HIdeal of “melting pot” H“Rugged individualism” HWe are united by great and frightening challenges

The Articles of Confederation HPowers of Congress: H Wage war H Foreign affairs H Boundary disputes H Indian affairs H Post office HPowers it lacked: H Raise troops H Levy taxes

The Articles of Confederation HArticle 1: H “The United States of America” HArticle 5: H Freedom of speech HArticle 4: H National citizenship HArticle 9: H Unity of the colonies HArticle 2: H States’ rights

The Articles of Confederation HWeaknesses: H Single house in the legislature H No separate judicial branch H Could not impose taxes H Changes require unanimous support H Article 8: paying for war

The Articles of Confederation HThe situation becomes desperate: H We are bankrupt H Taxation H Money disputes

The Articles of Confederation HThe situation becomes desperate: H Shay’s Rebellion