■Essential QuestionsEssential Questions:

–What sense of “colonial unity” existed in the British American colonies by the 18th Century?

–How was 1763 (the end of the French and Indian War) a “turning point” in British-colonial relationships?

Moving from European Ways

■ Democratic forms of government–Each colony had a representative

assembly elected by male voters–There were no political offices that

could be dominated by a single aristocratic family

■ Religious toleration–All colonies permitted the practice of

other religions (mostly Protestant), and Rhode Island and Pennsylvania offered religious asylum for the most

Rise of the American Press

■Newspapers grew in number and popularity throughout 18th Century America

–They were the primary form of method by which news spread throughout the colonies

–Freedom of the Press???

•John Peter Zenger, a New York publisher John Peter Zenger, a New York publisher arrested and charged with libel against the colonial arrested and charged with libel against the colonial

governor (for writing about his adultery)governor (for writing about his adultery)

•Zenger’s lawyer argues that what he wrote was Zenger’s lawyer argues that what he wrote was true, so it can’t be libeltrue, so it can’t be libel

•English law says it doesn’t matter if it’s true or English law says it doesn’t matter if it’s true or notnot

•Jury acquits Zenger anyway Jury acquits Zenger anyway since it was the since it was the truthtruth

•Not total freedom of the press, but newspapers Not total freedom of the press, but newspapers now took greater risks in criticism of political now took greater risks in criticism of political

figures.figures.

•John Peter Zenger, a New York publisher John Peter Zenger, a New York publisher arrested and charged with libel against the colonial arrested and charged with libel against the colonial

governor (for writing about his adultery)governor (for writing about his adultery)

•Zenger’s lawyer argues that what he wrote was Zenger’s lawyer argues that what he wrote was true, so it can’t be libeltrue, so it can’t be libel

•English law says it doesn’t matter if it’s true or English law says it doesn’t matter if it’s true or notnot

•Jury acquits Zenger anyway Jury acquits Zenger anyway since it was the since it was the truthtruth

•Not total freedom of the press, but newspapers Not total freedom of the press, but newspapers now took greater risks in criticism of political now took greater risks in criticism of political

figures.figures.

Zenger decision was a landmark case which paved the way for the eventual

freedom of the press.

Zenger Case, 1734-5: New York newspaper assailed corrupt local

governor, charged with libel, defended by Alexander Hamilton

French & English Mercantilist Wars

French & English Colonial Wars■The introduction of new English

mercantilist policies changed its economic & military attitude towards the colonies:–Increase protective tariffs &

create trade regulations so the colonies work for motherland

–If that failed, go to war with economic rivals & get the colonists to fight too

These regulations began with the Navigation Acts in 1660

The French & Indian War changed EVERYTHING between

England & the colonies

New mercantilist policies after the French & Indian War led to colonial

resentment & the American Revolution

French & English Colonial Wars■A series of European conflicts

involving England & France spilled over into colonial North America:–King William’s War (1689-1697)–Queen Anne’s War (1702-1713)–King George's War (1743-1748)

■These wars were based on mercantilist competition & had little political significance, but…

…these wars led to a land frenzy in the 1750s, among French & British colonists

Territorial disputes along the Ohio River sparked the French & Indian War

Westward Expansion &

Land Conflicts, 1750-1775

Turning Point: 1754■1754 proved to be a turning point

in American colonial history■In 1754, English officials &

colonists met to discuss Iroquois problems at the Albany Congress–Benjamin Franklin proposed the

Albany Plan of UnionAlbany Plan of Union for a coordinated colonial army

–The plan was vetoed by colonial assemblies & Parliament

This would give the colonists too much power

The plan was too expensive & would limit each colony’s power to control its own actions

Ben Franklin’s Albany Plan of UnionAmerica’s 1America’s 1stst political cartoon political cartoon

Turning Point: 1754In 1754, VA governor sent 22 year old George Washington to protect an Ohio Company claim

Washington’s troops were forced to retreat from Fort Duquesne; This clash proved to be

the beginning of the French & Indian War

French & Indian War

The French & Indian War■The war went bad for England

from 1756 to 1758 ■In 1757, Prime Minister William

Pitt took command of the military: –Used well-qualified generals–Had a “blank check” to fund the

war in America, India, & Europe–In 1758, the tide of the war

turned; England won by 1760

By 1761, By 1761, Spain Spain

became an became an ally of ally of FranceFrance

1758-1761 The Tide Turns for England

1758-1761 The Tide Turns for England

Treaty of Paris■France—lost Canada, most of its

empire in India, & claims to lands east of the Mississippi River

■Spain—got all French lands west of the Miss. River, New Orleans, but lost Florida to England

■England—gained all French lands in Canada, exclusive rights to the Caribbean slave trade, & total control of India

North America

after 1763

America in 17501750 America in 17631763

Perceptions of the War■Colonial viewsColonial views:

–Colonies could be very strong when they worked together

–Newly gained frontier had land–Colonial commanders learned

how to fight■English viewsEnglish views:

–Americans took forever to organize & balked at helping raise money for an expensive war to protect their own lands

British-American TensionsBritish-American TensionsColonialsColonials BritishBritish

Fighting Fighting MethodsMethods

Indian-style Indian-style guerilla guerilla attacksattacks

Marching in Marching in formationformation

Military Military OrganizationOrganization

Militias led Militias led by captainsby captains

British officers British officers in charge of in charge of

colonialscolonials

FinancesFinances Resistant to Resistant to rising taxes rising taxes

Colonists should Colonists should help pay for their help pay for their

own defenseown defense

Was 1763 a“Turning Point”

in British-Colonial Relationships?

Effects of the War on Britain?■The war increased England’s

colonial empire in North America■But, Pitt’s “blank check” greatly

enlarged England’s debt■Britain’s contempt for the

colonials created bitter feelings

■As a result, England leaders felt that a major reorganization of its American Empire was necessary!

Effects of the War on Americans?■The French & Indian War united

the colonists against a common enemy for the 1st time

■The 1760s were an affluent & optimistic “post-war” period with little thought of independence:

–Most colonists considered themselves proud members of England’s empire

Eroding Bonds of the Empire

Parliamentary Sovereignty ■In 1760, George III became king

& began a new colonial attitude: Parliamentary sovereigntyParliamentary sovereignty

–English officials assumed that Parliament must have ultimate authority over ALL laws & taxes

–The colonists tried to reserve the colonial authority for their own legislatures

No Taxation Without Representation

■The colonists assumed that their assemblies were quasi-equal to Parliament because they had no Parliamentary representatives

■British officials countered with “virtual representationvirtual representation” argument

■The colonists insisted that only their colonial assemblies could tax Americans

Parliament represents ALL British citizens no matter where they live

Two Theories of Representation

■What was the extent of Parliament’s authority over the colonies?

■How could the colonies accept the decisions of Parliament when they did not have representation in that body?

AbsoluteAbsolute??

OR OR Limited?Limited?

Eroding the Bonds of Empire■After the Seven Years War,

everyone expected George to remove British army from America (French were no longer a threat)

■But…this large, expensive army was not removed –British citizens were not happy

because they had to pay for it–Colonists doubted the army’s

value against Native Americans

Pontiac’s War■Backcountry natives banded

together to repel white frontier settlers during Pontiac’s War:–Indian successes exposed the

British army’s weakness–Attacks revealed desperation of

Native Americans after the withdrawal of the French

–Colonials took matters into their own hands (Paxton Boys in PA)

There’s all this land & no French!!

Fort Detroit

British “gifts” of smallpox-infected blankets from Fort

Pitt

Pontiac’s Rebellion, 1763

The Proclamation of 1763■In response to Pontiac’s war, the

British government established the Proclamation Line of 1763Proclamation Line of 1763:–This law forbade colonists from

settling across the Appalachian Mountains (for their own protection)

–Americans viewed the line as an obstruction to their “legitimate economic development”

North North AmericAmeric

a in a in 17631763

North North AmericAmeric

a in a in 17631763

The Enlightenment■The introduction of Parliamentary

sovereignty:

–Contradicted the original English policy of salutary neglect

–Took place amidst the European Enlightenment which was beginning to impact colonial thought (especially the ideas of John Locke)

All gov’ts are susceptible to corruption, tyranny, &

intrusion upon citizens’ liberty

“Virtuous” citizens must fight tyranny

Conclusions:Rule Britannia?

Rule Britannia?

■Despite the mounting tension, by 1763, most Americans were loyal “brothers” to England because of:

–a shared British culture

–dependence upon British consumer goods

–shared nationalism after British military victories against France