Chapter 4: The Empire In Transition (pg.

99-122)

Introduction

British Empire provides trade/commerce, military protection, political stability English govt left Americans alone - loose regulation No reason for Americans to object as late as the 1750s
Sources of Crisis

Bonds between colonies and Britain snap in the mid-1770s Huge differences in ideas and institutions since settlement 1763 Britain creates series of policies towards colonies Americans gradually realize they are disillusioned with the relationship

Loosening Ties

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No effort by British govt to tighten control over colonies in 70 years Royal colonies were under control of the king No interference with colonial affairs

A Tradition of Neglect
Growing Power of Parliament

Parliament establishes supremacy over king Power = ability to control a majority in Parliament Parliamentary leaders depended on support of merchants and landholders No inclination to tighten imperial organization

Decentralized Colonial Administration

Administration of colonial affairs was not centralized Board of Trade + Plantations did not do much, real authority = Privy Council No one to concentrate on colonial affairs and information Royals officials were not all intelligent appointed by favoritism Officials gave in to bribes, yielded to colonists resistances

Powerful Colonial Legislatures

1750s: assemblies control taxes, appropriations, appointments, and laws Privy Council could veto, but assemblies could circumvent it Assemblies = little Parliaments over their own colonies Colonies almost controlled almost every part of their government

The Colonies Divided

American colonists viewed themselves as loyal English subjects Colonies were different, but couldnt avoid forging connections Continuous line of settlement forms along the coast Roads, intercolonial trade, and postal service increases communication
Albany Plan

1754: colonists faced treat from French and French allies Colonial conference held in Albany to negotiate treaty with Iroquois Ben Franklin proposes one general government for all colonies New central government = one president general + elected legislature Albany Plan is rejected by all colonial assemblies

The Struggle for the Continent

1750s-1760s: war over America between England and France, Britain wins Both wanted dominance in trade and naval power

Britain becomes worlds great power, gains settlements in N America

An Uneasy Balance of Power

End of a long battle between the English, French, and Iroquois Indians 1750 events upset uneasy balance French and Indian war War brings colonists closer to British authority - reveals tensions

New France and the Iroquois Nation

1750s: English and French settlements expand - produces tension

New Sources of Conflict

Louis XIVs search for national unity and increases Frances world power French settlements rapidly expand Jesuits and fur traders explore deeper Bottom lands of Mississippi River attract French farmer

Frances North American Empire

1670s: Louis Joliet + Jacques Marquette explore southward 1682: Rene Robert Cavelier claims Louisiana for France 1743: Pierre Gaultier de Varennes reaches Rocky Mountains String of communities, fortresses, missions, and trading posts Plantations in the Mississippi worked by slaves under Creoles (French whites) French were more tolerant than English closer relations with natives

The Iroquois Confederacy

Defensive alliance of 5 Indian nations Forged relations with English/Dutch AND French Maintained independence by playing English and French against each other Principal area of conflict Ohio Valley

Anglo-French Conflict

Glorious Revolution passes throne to William III (Louis XIVs enemy)

European Seeds of Conflict

Queen Anne of Netherlands fights series of wars against France King Williams War (1689-97) and Queen Annes War (1701) more tension The Treaty of Utrecht (1713) ends war, French territory English Dispute over trading rights in Georgia/Florida between England and Spain King Georges War: England + France on opposite sides of Prussia vs. Austria French, English, Iroquois relations quickly deteriorate afterward

Fort Necessity

Iroquois grants English concessions French fear English expansion

1749: French begin building forts in Ohio valley English respond by building own forts Summer 1754: VA militia led by G. Washington attacks French French responds, attacks Fort Necessity Washington surrenders

A Tradition of Neglect

French and Indian War lasts 9 years, expands to Europe in 1756 Primarily local colonists on their own
Braddock Defeated

British fleet fails to stop French reinforcements 1775: British Gen. Braddock fails to retake site of Fort Necessity, dies Local colonial forces defend against raids of enemy Indians Iroquois fearful of French, English settlers withdraw to east of Allegheny 1756: Second phase, Seven Years War begins in Europe Complicated alliances: France-Austria, England-Prussia

William Pitt Takes Charge

1757: William Pitt brings war fully under British control Pitt plans strategies, appoints commanders, issues orders British forcibly enlists colonists, seizes supplies, shelters troops Americans resent and resist new impositions (1757: riot in NYC) 1758: Pitt relaxes policies, reimburses Americans, returned military control

Siege of Quebec

British start gaining after 1756 poor French harvest 1758: Jeffery Amherst/James Wolfe capture Louisbourg fortress, then F. Duquesne 9/13/1759: Fall of Quebec Wolfe vs. Marquis de Montcalm, both die Sept. 1760: French army surrenders in Montreal British had resorted to brutal military expedients against French and Indians

Peace of Paris

Accession of King George III + resignation of Pitt = peace

Peace of Paris signed in 1763 France gives Britain Canada + west of Mississippi (except New Orleans Spain) Expanded Britains territory but caused huge debts British look down on Americans - angry that colonists did help during war

Consequences of the Seven Years War

British impressments confirmed illegitimacy of English interference in colonial affairs Socializing experience for colonial soldiers army was communal, not forced Colonists resented British arrogance and use of power Indian nations against England in war were viewed at enemies The Iroquois passivity in war caused antagonism nation slowly declines

The New Imperialism

Difficult war experience convinced England to tighten hold on colonies England was in debt, in need of new revenues Huge new lands in New World = greater British involvement needed

Burdens of Empire

French and Indian War showed that increased involvement would be difficult Colonists reluctant to tax and support war, defied trade regulations
Commercial versus Territorial Imperialists

After 1763: shift in imperial design Colonies: not just for trade - also supports population + taxes Mercantilists want to return Canada for French sugar islands (Guadeloupe) Territorialists win, England keeps new land (now 2x more land than before) Restraining of rapid settlement vs. immediate development

Britains Staggering War Debt

Government running out of options taxes already too high

Troops on Indian border + in American settlements = lots of money Expected no cooperation from colonial govts Solution: taxation in colonies administered by London

George IIIs Shortcomings

Power in 1760: removed Whigs, forms new coalition, control of Parliament Intellectual and psychological limitations, immature and insecure 1763: George Grenville appointed prime minister Colonists should obey British orders, pay costs began new system of control

The British and the Tribes

French leave, English settlers/traders move into upper Ohio Valley Indians reject intrusion forms alliance under Ottawa chieftain Pontiac
Proclamation of 1763

No settlers allowed past Appalachians to prevent native conflict Allowed London to control movement of white population Slowed expansion = limit native conflicts + reserved land for English John Stuart south, William Johnson - north (marries Mohawk, Mary Brant)

White Encroachment

Proclamation of 1763 = fail White settlers swarm across boundary, continue to claim lands 1768: Stuart + Johnson negotiate new agreements with natives New boundaries dont work, pushed back within few years

The Colonial Response

Mutiny Act of 1765: British troops permanently stationed in America British navy patrol American waters for smugglers Customs service enlarged, Colonial manufacturing restricted

Sugar, Currency, and Stamp Acts

Sugar Act of 1764: raised duty on sugar, new vice-admiralty courts for smugglers Eliminates illegal sugar trade with French/West Indies Currency Tax of 1764: stops production + use of paper currency Stamp Act 0f 1765: tax on most printed documents Highly effective: 10x more annual revenue from colonies

Paxton Boys

Conflicts centered around tensions between coast and western backcountry Backcountry felt isolated/underrepresented, threatened by Indians 1763: Paxton Boys group from w. PA descend on Philadelphia Demands tax relief + money, colonial govt makes concessions

Regulator Movement

Regulators = Carolina farmer organization opposing local taxes 1771: war between Regulators and Gov. William Tyrons militia Battle of Alamance 2,000 Regulators defeated After 1763: new policies create grievances among most colonists North: commerce/manufacturing restraints, South: hard to pay back debts/taxes

Postwar Depression

British govt stop funds to colonies after war economic depression New policies take even more money out of colonies American economy survives, but people are worried Cities worried about bigger economic slumps thinks something is amiss

Political Consequences of the Grenville Program

Colonists become involved in public affairs, wanted self-govt Key to self govt = provincial assemblies ability to circumvent colonial govt New British control of public finance upsets colonists Americans start movement to resist new imperial policies

Stirrings of Revolt

Mid 1760s: hardening of positions in England and America colonists Colonists: renewed commitment to protecting political autonomy British: belief in tightening colonial administration, more colonial revenue

The Stamp Act Crisis

Effects of the Stamp Act

Tax fell on ALL colonists opposition from powerful colonists Actual price of stamps were low Designed to raise money instead of regulate commerce Attempt to raise revenue without consent of colonial assemblies

Virginia Resolves

Virginia House of Burgess active voice of young Virginian aristocrats Challenged tidewater planters Patrick Henry speech in May 1765 Henry introduces resolutions: Americans taxed only by their representatives Approved resolutions printed/circulated as Virginia Resolves

Sons of Liberty

MA: James Otis calls for intercolonial congress against new tax October 1765: meets in New York, sends petition rejected 1765: riots break out, esp. in Boston Sons of Liberty terrorize stamp agents stamp sales cease Thomas Hutchinsons house destroyed by Bostonians

Parliament Retreats

Stamp Act crisis subsides as England backs down Economic pressure from boycotts (affected English merchants) Marquis of Rockingham kills Stamp Act repealed March 18th, 1766 Same day: Declaratory Act: Parliament has complete authority over colonies

The Townshend Program

English landlords protested appeasement in fear of taxes King pressured into dismissing Rockingham ministry, replaced by Pitt

Pitts office controlled by Charles Townshend flamboyant politician

Mutiny Act

1765: colonists ordered to quarter British troops Colonists object to supplying troops since the F+I War Viewed as taxation without representation colonists were defiant MA and NY assemblies refuse challenge to imperial authority

Internal and External Taxes

1767: NY assembly disbanded until Mutiny Act is obeyed 1767: Townshend Duties on imported tea, paint, paper, lead Distinction between internal and external taxation Suspension of NY assembly + more taxes colonial grievances continue MA circulates letter against tax, Hillsborough circulates opposing letter MA reaffirms support against Parliament, other colonies follow

Colonial Boycotts

Townshend established new board of customs commissioners Commissioners end smuggling in Boston Boston merchants upset 1768: non-importation agreement between Philly, NY, Boston Boycott of British goods domestic products become fashionable Townshend dies, Lord North repeals Townshend duties except on tea

The Boston Massacre

Competition for Scarce Employment

Colonists harass customs commissioners in Boston British place troops inside city soldiers were arrogant, sometimes provocative British soldiers looking for jobs clash with local workers March 5, 1770: liberty boys pelt customs house sentries w/ rocks/snowballs Capt. Preston lines up men soldiers fire, killed 5 people

Samuel Adams

Boston Massacre becomes symbol of British oppression and brutality Innocent Blood Crying to God Pamphlet, Paul Revere engraving MA jury finds British soldiers guilty of manslaughter Samuel Adams (Johns cousin) = good at fomenting public outrage Viewed events in stern moral terms England has become corrupted Gains support at Boston town meetings 1772: Boston created a committee of correspondence, other colonies follow

The Philosophy of Revolt

Boston Massacre creates enduring political ideas in colonies Ideas from religious/political sources in colonies, and radicals in GB (Scots, Whigs)
Englands Balanced Constitution

New ideology: government needed to protect evil humans from each other People need safeguards against abuse of government power Checked, distributed power between aristocracy, monarchy, and common people Constitution in danger - the king and his ministers are too powerful English constitution - not fixed, American principles permanent, inflexible

Virtual versus Actual Representation

Americans: No taxation without representation England: Parliament represents whole nation, not individuals English virtual representation, no elected representatives American actual representation, representatives elected by community Americans argue for a division of power in British govt British argue that king + Parliament should be the only authority

The Tea Excitement

Enforcement of Navigation Acts, harsh officials growing resentment

Revolutionary Discourse

Wide circulation of dissenting publications Social discussions about politics spread of dissenting ideology 1772: Angry RI residents attack Gaspee ship, sent back to England for trial

The Tea Act

Tea Act of 1773: gives East India Co. right to export tea to colonies w/o taxes East India Co. undersells American merchants + monopolizes tea trade Revives American passions about taxation w/o representation Colonists boycott tea involves large segments of population Women play important role in resistance Daughters of Liberty

The Boston Tea Party

Colonies make plans to stop East India Co. from landing cargo in ports Boston fails to turn away three ships 12/16/1773: 150 men board ships dressed as Mohawk Indians Tea chests thrown into harbor Boston Tea Party news spreads

Coercive Acts

Bostonians refuse to pay Coercive/Intolerable Acts Closed Boston harbor, reduced self-govt powers, let royal officers be tried in other colonies, quartered troops in colonists houses Quebec Act extended Quebecs boundaries to Ohio + Mississippi Rivers Granted political rights to Catholics colonies considers it a threat Americans suspect plot to impose Catholicism on colonies

Consequences

Coercive Acts sparks resistance from other colonies Colonial legislatures pass resolves supporting MA

Womens groups supply substitutes for British goods Oct. 1774: 51 women in Edenton, NC declare loyalty to anti-British resolutions

Cooperation and War

Colonial leaders formed organizations supporting discontent since 1765 Organizations form basis for revolution and independent govt

New Sources of Authority

Passage of authority from royal govt to colonists began on local level Local institutions seize authority, perform political functions 1768: Sam Adams calls convention in MA to sit at dissolved General Court Sons of Liberty kept colonists participating in boycotts and popular resistance
First Continental Congress

Sams committees of correspondence = successful 1774: Virginias dismissed assembly meets at Raleigh Tavern in Williamsburg Called for a Continental Congress: elected delegates from the 13 colonies Sept. 1774: First Continental Congress held in Carpenters Hall, Philadelphia Rejects colonial union under crown, demands repeal of all laws since 1763, prepares military defense against Brit troops, stops all trade to enforce agreements Agreed to meet again next spring

The Conciliatory Propositions

Parliament discusses proposals during winter in London Lord Chatham (Pitt): withdraw troops, Edmund Burke: repeal Coercive Acts 1775: Lord North wins approval for the Conciliatory Prepositions Colonies tax themselves at Parliaments demand instead of directly by Parliament Proposal did not reach America before war had begun

Lexington and Concord

People of MA had gathered arms/ammo and training as minutemen Continental Congress approved prepping for defensive war
General Thomas Gage

General Gage in Boston hears about military prep calls in reinforcements Ignores advice of less cautious officers, ie. John Pitcairn Gage takes action when he learns of large supple of gunpowder in Concord 4/18/1775: Gage sends 1000 soldiers to surprise colonials at L&C William Dawes + Paul Revere rode out to warn colonists of British troops Minutemen killed at Lexington, British moved to Concord burned leftover supplies Many soldiers killed by famers behind trees during retreat to Boston

The Revolution Begins

According to colonists: Pitcairn gave first orders to first shots According to British: minutemen fired first shots Circulated tales rally thousands of colonists Lexington and Concord marks the beginning of the War for Independence