Republican and Whig Ideologies Republicanism: A just society is one in which all citizens willingly subordinate their interests for the common good Govt serves the citizens Against hierarchy and aristocracy Whigism: The arbitrary power of monarchs and his ministers can pose a threat to liberty and corruption Together: Colonists are on alert against any threat to their liberties.
Mercantilism Colonies existed to supply raw materials and markets for English manufacturing. History of regulating the colonies for benefit of England: Navigation Acts of 1660 and 1663 are examples Colonists felt this system stifled their economy and gave England advantage But, most of these laws were loosely enforced There was a history of salutary neglect
French and Indian War Left England in major debt Also have to patrol the frontier against Native attacks Prime Minister George Grenville strictly enforces navigation acts Need sources of revenue.
Sugar Act (1764) Also called Revenue Act of 1764 Tax on sugar, molasses and other luxuries First attempt by Parliament to raise tax revenue on colonies for crown Actually lowered previous taxes, but more strictly enforced England set up admirality courts to enforce (no juries) Virtual representation
Currency Act (1764) Colonists could not issue paper money Colonies had issued paper money during economic downturn after war Tried to make up for amount of hard currency leaving the colonies to England (we bought more than we sold) It quickly depreciated which could have hurt colonial and English economies Colonists feel Parliament is overstepping its power
Stamp Act (1765) Already imposed in England English taxation rate 25 times higher than rate in colonies First direct tax on colonies Was to help pay for military in colonies Virginia House of Burgesses formally protests the tax Tried in Admiralty Courts
Sons (and Daughters) of Liberty Led protests in NY and Rhode Island to protest taxes Some violence (tar and feathering, raiding of homes, etc.) Stamp Act Congress: delegates from 9 colonies decide to protest tax collectively Boycott British goods Nonimportation agreements united American people Stamp Act repealed in 1766
More Taxes Declaratory Act (1766): Parliament has the power to enact laws as they see fit In response to American defiance to Stamp Act Townshend Acts (1767): Indirect duties (paid at American ports) on colonial imports, including tea, glass, paper, paint, etc. Specifically to pay for British officials in colonies More colonial boycotts (nonimportation) Increase in colonial smuggling Townshend Acts actually cost England money British troops sent to enforce the Acts and search for smuggled goods Repealed in 1770 (except tax on tea)--same day as Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre (March 5,1770)
Committees of Correspondence Organized in Boston by Samuel Adams in 1772 Purpose à warn neighboring colonies about incidents with Britain à broaden the resistance movement. By 1773, each colony had a committee Virginia s committee was actually a standing committee in the House of Burgesses.
8 British East India Co.: Tea Act (1773) Monopoly on Br. tea imports in colonies to help it fend off bankruptcy. Many members of Parliament held shares. Permitted the Co. to sell tea directly to colonies without English middlemen (cheaper tea!) Britain would still get tax from Townshend duties Assumed colonists would choose cheaper tea.
Boston Tea Party Colonists refuse to allow ships on shore Governor Hutchinson refused to allow ships to return to Britain Colonists board ships and dump tea in Boston Harbor
Tar and Feathering
The Coercive or Intolerable Acts (1774) Lord North Closed harbor until tea paid for (Boston Port Act) Limits put on Town Meetings (Massachusetts Government Act) British troops immune to colonial law Changed power of local assemblies Quartering Act
The Quebec Act (1774)
First Continental Congress (1774) 55 delegates from 12 colonies (no GA) Agenda à How to respond to the Coercive Acts & the Quebec Act? 1 vote per colony represented.
Continental Congress Continued Said if Intolerable Acts were not repealed by end of 1774, English goods would be boycotted Created The Association : nonimportation, nonexportation, nonconsumption of British goods Parliament rejected Militias and illegal local governments formed Agreed to meet again in May, 1775 if colonial grievances were not redressed Bostonian movement spreads across the colonies
The Final Rupture Thomas Gage had 4000 Red Coats in Boston April 1775, he sent 700 troops to seize arms and munitions in Concord, Mass. Also arrest Sam Adams and John Hancock
The British Are Coming... Paul Revere & William Dawes make their midnight ride to warn the Minutemen of approaching British soldiers.
The Shot Heard Round the World! Lexington & Concord April 18,1775