AMERICAN HISTORY I

Path to Revolution

What events led to the American

Revolution and the establishment of

the United States?

The Gaspee Affair

Townshend Acts had created a lot of ill will … but smugglers went back to work British sent patrols to enforce customs duties

The Gaspee harassed merchant vessels off the Rhode Island coast Ran aground in June 1772 Colonists captured crew, burned ship to waterline BOOM!

British furious – colonists feared retaliation

All colonies established committees of correspondence to communicate, resist British policies

“The Burning of the Gaspee “Rhode Island Historical Society

The Boston Tea Party

Colonial merchants smuggled in cheap Dutch tea to avoid paying British taxes

British East India Company struggling financially Tea Act (1773) lowered shipping costs, making British tea

cheaper Allowed direct sales to shops – no “middlemen”!

Committees of correspondence supported merchants Agreed to return all British tea, unsold, to Britain Customs officer in Boston refused to send ships back unless tax

paid!

Samuel Adams and the Sons of Liberty organized a protest Around 150 colonists (badly disguised) boarded the tea ships Broke open 342 chests of tea, and dumped them into the harbor Protest known as the “Boston Tea Party”

“Rally, Mohawks! Bring out your

axes

And tell King George we’ll pay

no taxes

On his foreign tea!”

Let’s Talk About It…

Is it acceptable to break the law to make a political

point?

The Last Straw

In spring 1774, British prime minister Lord North, Parliament passed the “Coercive Acts” Boston Port Act – closed Boston Harbor Massachusetts Government Act – appointed British

governor, outlawed town meetings Administration of Justice Act – British officials to be

tried in Britain (not angry colonial juries)

New Quartering Act required colonists to provide lodging in private homes, if necessary British government anticipating need to maintain order Soon, 2,000 more troops sent to New England

General Thomas Gage named new governor of MA

The “Intolerable Acts”

Colonists: Coercive Acts a punishment for their demand that their rights be respected!

Quebec Act in July, 1774 caused more outrage Allowed colonists there to retain French language, laws Colony to be governed by appointed council, governor Gave Quebec coveted territory in the Ohio River valley! Seen by other colonies as weakening of power of colonial

assemblies

Collectively, Coercive Acts and Quebec Act called “intolerable” by the colonial press

Other colonies rallied to support Massachusetts

The First Continental Congress

Virginia House of Burgesses: British actions in Boston a military invasion!

British ordered VA House dissolved in May, 1774 Virginia leaders asked other colonies to stop trade Invited colonial delegates to a colonial congress

The First Continental Congress met in Philadelphia on September 5, 1774 Anniversary of “Boston Massacre” four years earlier Delegates from all but Georgia attended

The Delegates Decided…

To support Massachusetts and endorse the Suffolk Resolves Boycott British imports, and limit exports Disobey Massachusetts Government Act, Boston Port Act Demand resignation of royal government appointees Refuse payment of taxes until repeal of restrictions on MA Royal authority not recognized in Massachusetts! Colonies should raise their own militias

To issue a new Declaration of Rights and Grievances Claimed continued loyalty to the king … but condemned the Coercive Acts

To form a non-importation association to coordinate boycott

To reconvene in May, 1775 if crisis continued

Massachusetts in Rebellion Former Massachusetts assembly members

organized Provincial Congress

John Hancock led Committee of Safety – with the power to call up militia

Provincial Congress asked all colonial militia leaders to resign (weed out loyalists!)

Colonists began raiding British military depots and stockpiling ammunition, powder

Towns (like Concord) created specialized teams of “minutemen”

As other colonies followed Massachusetts’ lead, British control over colonies weakened

John Hancock

Samuel Adams

Loyalists and Patriots

Loyalists, or “Tories” Supported the British government and king Represented a cross-section of society – farmers, ministers,

royal appointees born in the colonies Relatively fewer in number at this time

Patriots in the colonies called “Whigs” Somewhat insulting British term used to describe non-

conformists, rebels Believed the king, Parliament had become tyrants! Favored constitutional government over absolute royal

authority Predominantly businessmen, merchants in New England, VA

Revolution a “civil war” also – divided friends, families

It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace-- but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!

--- Patrick Henry, March 23, 1775

“One if by land, two if by sea…”

By April, 1775 Gen. Gage ordered to arrest members of the Provincial Congress Decided to seize colonial militia’s supplies in Concord 700 troops sent out on April 18

Dr. Joseph Warren discovered Gage’s plan Paul Revere, William Dawes sent to warn militia Revere signaled British plans with two lanterns at the old

North Church

Revere captured at Lexington; Dawes turned back

Dr. Samuel Prescott continued on to warn the men at Concord

Blue – Paul Revere’s routeGreen William Dawes’ routePurple Dr. Prescott’s routeRed British troops’ route

Lexington and Concord

On April 19, 1775 the British troops found 700 minutemen waiting on Lexington Green British gave orders to disperse … but a shot was fired (who, why unknown!) and the Revolution

began! British opened fire, killing 8 and injuring 10

British troops found Concord depot empty

Colonial militiamen waiting for them at North Bridge, where fighting forced British retreat Militia, colonials harassed, attacked troops on return trip 99 British troops killed, and 174 wounded

Other New England colonies sent militia to fight the British

By May 1775, the British were surrounded, trapped in Boston!

Battle of Bunker Hill

Second Continental Congress met in May, 1775 Situation had worsened – focus now on defense “Continental Army” formed with militia in Boston George Washington of VA chosen to command

Colonial militia dug in at Breed’s Hill to defend hills north of Boston Commander William Prescott: “Don’t fire until you see the whites

of their eyes!” When Gage’s 2,200 men approached (50 yards or so away), the

Americans opened fire

Battle of Bunker Hill (as it was called) a huge morale boost! 1,000 British casualties Confidence – had fought a world power, and hadn’t backed down

Let’s Talk About It…

Do you think reconciliation between Britain and the colonists was possible at

this point?

Why or why not?

Extending the “Olive Branch”

Not all colonists wanted a complete break from Britain

Continental Congress sent the king an “Olive Branch Petition” in July 1775 Last attempt to resolve differences Asserted loyalty, asked for peaceful resolution

At the same time, the delegates had also ordered an attack on British colony of Quebec Quebec colonists not interested in joining the fight Bad timing convinced the British the time for reconciliation

had passed

King George: colonists in rebellion “open and avowed enemies” of Britain!

On Their Own

Continental Congress took on responsibilities of government Negotiating with Native Americans Postal system (thanks to Benjamin Franklin) Creating continental Navy, Marine Corps

Southern planters convinced to join patriots’ cause Feared losing land, labor force (slaves!) – VA governor promised

freedom to those enslaved by “rebels” Demonstrated economic importance of slavery to southern economy

Loyalists suffered early defeats■ Norfolk, VA (Dec. 1775); Moore’s Creek, NC (Feb. 1776)■ General Howe forced to evacuate Boston (March 17, 1776)

British shut down trade, ordered blockade, hired mercenaries!

Frederick, Lord North

King George III

Gen. Thomas Gage

Gen. William Howe

The Power of “Common Sense”

Common Sense a 1776 pamphlet by Thomas Paine Attack on king (power seized from the people!) Time to declare independence from the “tyrant”

Pamphlet strongly influenced popular opinion 20% of people in the colonies had a copy Helped gain support for independence in the provincial congresses

Paine took no profits from his writings, and spent much of his own funds on relief efforts for troops

Declaring Independence

Continental Congress adopted a formal resolution for independence in July, 1776 Written by Thomas Jefferson Issued on July 4, 1776

The 56 signers took great personal risk – treason!

Declaration of Independence significant to our history – and as an important example for others First time a colony had declared itself independent! Explained reasons for their action Other colonies around the world – and groups seeking

civil rights – have used our Declaration as a model

Let’s Talk About It…

Why do you think the Founders thought it

important to formally declare independence

from Britain?

Examining the Declaration of Independence

The Declaration of Independence has 4 main sections:

The Preamble – why is this action necessary now?

The Declaration of Natural Rights – reiterates Locke’s ideals People have natural rights, and must consent to government People have a right to rebel if rights obstructed, or power abused

The List of Grievances – specific ways in which American colonists have been deprived of their natural rights

The Resolution of Independence – justifies decision, claims full power and authority to govern themselves