Loosening Ties

1
Chapter 4
2
Loosening Ties

• British Imperial System-colonies got benefits of
  trade, commerce, military protection and
  political stability
• 1707- Union of England and Scotland creates Great
  Britain
• New Jersey (1702), South and North Carolina
  (1792), Georgia (1754)- became royal colonies
  (power to appoint governors and colonial
  officials)

3
Loosening Ties

• Salutary Neglect- Parliament established
  supremacy over government enforced policy of
  neglect- felt it would require increased taxes
  and diminish profits if they tightened imperial
  organization
• During reigns of King George I and II the prime
  minister and cabinet members were the nations
  real executives. They were less inclined to
  tighten imperialism.

4
Loosening Ties

• Robert Walpole- British Prime Minister refrained
  from strict enforcement of Navigation Acts to
  stimulate commerce.
• Administration of colonial affairs inefficient-
  Board of Trade and Plantations (est. 1696)
  advisory board, little role in actual decisions

5
Loosening Ties

• London officials rarely (if ever) visited the
  colonies, agents sent from colonies to encourage
  colonial affairs (Benjamin Franklin).
• Governors- royal officials put in office through
  bribery or favoritism, rarely were qualifications
  considered.
• 1750s- American assemblies claimed right to levy
  taxes, make appropriations, approve appointments
  and pass laws for respective colonies

6
Loosening Ties

• Privy Council (and admiralty and treasury)
  responsible for administering laws at home and
  overseas.
• Royal officials corrupt, hired substitutes to
  take places in America.
• Colonists had stronger ties with England then
  with themselves.
• Growth of colonial population produced Postal
  Service (1732- all the way from Boston to
  Virginia).

7
Loosening Ties

• Albany Plan proposed by Benjamin Franklin,
  parliament would set up one general government,
  colonies would keep present constitution but give
  certain powers to new general government
  (authority to govern Indian relations), appoint
  president general by king and legislature elected
  by colonial assemblies- none approved it.
• Significance colonies were not ready to unify

8
The Struggle For The Continent

• Three powers in northeast North America English,
  French, Iroquois
• French and Indian War established English
  dominance
• Brought Americans in closer contact with British
  authority, raised underlying tensions, rearranged
  global power, cemented England's role as world's
  greatest commercial and imperial nation-
  controlled most settled regions of North America

9
The Struggle For The Continent

• France began to expand settlement, fur trade and
  Missionary French Jesuits drew immigrants to
  wilderness, French Empire compromised whole
  continental interior, set up fortresses, missions
  and trading posts, plantations (owned by
  Creoles-white French immigrants)

10
The Struggle For The Continent

• Iroquois Confederation 5 Indian nations- Mohawk,
  Seneca, Cayuga, Onondaga, and Oneida fought and
  won against Hurons, avoided close relationship
  with both French and English- able to maintain an
  easy balance of power in the Great Lakes Region.
• Ohio Valley- principal area of conflict- French
  claimed it, English settlement expanding into
  it.
• Anglo-French Wars dispute among Queen Anne and
  Louis XIV- allied with Spain.

11
The Struggle For The Continent

• Queen Anne's War 12 years, border fighting with
  Spaniards in South, with French and their Indian
  allies in the North.
• Treaty of Utrecht -1713, transferred substantial
  areas of French territory to English (Acadia, and
  Newfoundland)

12
The Struggle For The Continent

• Disputes over British trading rights- war between
  Spain and England, led to clashes in Florida
  Last colony of America was foundedGeorgia.
• King George's War New Englanders captured the
  French Louisbourg, peace treaty made them abandon
  it. Caused relations between English, French and
  Iroquois to deteriorate.

13
The Struggle For The Continent

• 1749- French construct new fortresses in Ohio
  Valley to sooth fear of English concession of
  French land English protest by making military
  preparations- Iroquois nation allied with
  British.
• Summer 1754- Washington built Fort Necessity next
  to French outpost (Fort Duquesne), staged
  unsuccessful attack, caused Washington to
  surrender- marked beginning of French and Indian
  War

14
The Struggle For The Continent

• Phase 1- Fort Necessity to 1754 primarily North
  American conflict, colonists managed on own,
  British troops failed to prevent landing of
  French reinforcements in Canada, Braddock failed,
  defeated, Iroquois were not fighting although
  declared war on France, English settlers withdrew
  east of Allegheny Mountains to escape hostilities
  by 1755. Colonists defended themselves against
  western raids from Native Americans. Native
  Americans (except Iroquois) allied with the
  French.

15
The Struggle For The Continent

• Phase 2- 1756France and England formally opened
  hostilities (Seven Year's War), France allied
  with Austria, England with Prussia, fighting
  spread to West Indies, Europe William Pitt 1757-
  English secretary of state (future PM) brought
  war effort fully under British control, planned
  military strategy, issued orders to colonists.
  Impressment.

16
The Struggle For The Continent

• Phase 3- 1758 Pitt relaxed many policies agreed
  to reimburse colonists, returned control over
  military recruitment to colonial assemblies
  (dramatic increase in enlistment), sent
  additional troops France was weakened by poor
  harvests- tide of battle began to turn. By mid
  1758 British military and colonial militias were
  seizing French forts.

17
The Struggle For The Continent

• Jeffrey Amherst, James Wolfe- captured fortress
  at Louisbourg, Fort Duquesne fell without a
  fight.
• Siege of Quebec- James Wolfe surprised forces of
  Marquis De Montcalm and defeated him, both
  commanders died, 1759- marked beginning of end of
  American phase of the war.
• 1760- French army formally surrendered to Amherst
  in Montreal

18
The Struggle For The Continent

• British brutality displaced French inhabitants
  (who later became Cajuns) in Louisiana, took
  scalp bounties of Indians.
• Peace of Paris 1763French ceded West Indian
  Islands, most of colonies in India, transferred
  Canada and all other French territory east of the
  Mississippi to Britain (New Orleans given to
  Spain, along with claims to the west)

19
The Struggle For The Continent

• Effects expanded British Empire and colonies as
  well as territorial claims, enlarged Britain's
  debt, resentment towards Americans angry with
  colonists financial contributions, bitter they
  sold food to enemy, thought it necessary to
  reorganize empire and give London more authority
  over colonies
• Americans viewed British involvement
  illegitimate, socializing experience for
  soldiers, created contrast with British regulars
  and their arrogance
• Indians broke British alliance with the
  Iroquois, Confederacy began to crumble,
  outnumbered and divided, unable to contest with
  British over Ohio Valley

20
The New Imperialism

• British left with enormous debt - Could not avoid
  expanding involvement in colonies.
• Colonists reluctant to tax selves, defied trade
  regulations
• England began to view colonial empire not only in
  terms of trade, but land itself could be of value
  (due to population it supports, taxes it could
  produce).

21
The New Imperialism

• Issues concerning Territorial Annexation some
  argued rapid settlement should be allowed this
  would run risk of creating conflicts with
  Indians. Others wanted to see territories open
  for immediate development disagreed about who
  should control western lands (remain with England
  or be considered entirely new colonies unlinked
  to existing settlements).
• England believed system of taxation was necessary
  to get rid of increasing debt.

22
The New Imperialism

• George III assumed power in 1760 at age 22,
  wanted to be active monarch, removed power from
  coalition of Whigs who governed empire, created
  new coalition and gained control of Parliament,
  new ministries were unstable (lasted an avg. of 2
  years) had bouts of insanity.
• George Grenville appointed prime minister in
  1763, believed colonists should obey laws and pay
  part of cost of defending empire, imposed new
  system of control.

23
The New Imperialism

• English began moving to Ohio Valley- Indians
  objected and alliance of tribes under Ottawa
  chief Pontiac struck back
• Proclamation of 1763-issued to prevent fighting
  that might threaten western trade, forbade
  settlers to move beyond line drawn along
  Appalachian Mountains.
• Pros for Britain allows London to control
  westward expansion of white settlement, limits
  costly dangerous conflicts with tribes, slow
  population exodus from coastal colonies.

24
The New Imperialism

• John Stuart- in charge of Indian affairs in
  South, Sir William Johnson-north affairs, both
  helped improve relations between British and
  Indians.
• Almost completely ineffective settlers continued
  to swarm across boundary, claimed lands farther
  into Ohio Valley, new treaties written up but
  failed to stop expansion. Only pushed line of
  settlement farther west. Failed to meet limited
  demands of Natives.

25
Proclamation of 1763
26
The New Imperialism

• Mutiny Act of 1765 British troops stationed
  permanently colonists now required to assist
  provisioning and maintaining army, customs
  service reorganized and enlarged
• Sugar Act of 1764 designed to eliminate illegal
  sugar trade between West Indies and colonists,
  raised duty on sugar. Established vice-admiralty
  courts to try smugglers, depriving them
  sympathetic jurors
• Currency Act of 1764 required colonial
  assemblies to stop issuing paper money, retire
  all paper money in circulation

27
The New Imperialism

• Stamp Act of 1765 most momentous, imposed tax on
  printed documents in colonies newspapers,
  almanacs, pamphlets, deeds.
• Result British officials collecting 10 times as
  much annual revenue from America. Tensions
  emerged between established societies of Atlantic
  Coast and settlement further west (Backcountry)-
  felt isolated, underrepresented

28
The New Imperialism

• Paxton Boys from western PA, wanted relief from
  colonial taxes and money to help defend selves
  against Indians.
• Regulator Movement small scale civil war as
  result of regulators (Carolina farmers)
  opposition to high taxes, Battle of Alamance
  suppressed revolt. Governor William Tyron raised
  army of militiamen from eastern counties, began
  east vs. west feud.

29
The New Imperialism

• Found common grievances in Grenville Program
  Northern Merchants suffer from commerce
  restraints, burden of taxation, Backcountry
  resented closing of West.
• Southern planters feared taxes, ability to ease
  debts by speculating western land.
• All suffer from increased taxes, abolition of
  paper money, restraints on manufacturing

30
The New Imperialism

• Postwar Depression British money poured in
  colonies to stimulate economy. Economic bust.
  Tension in cities against British policy.
• Treaty of 1763, urban Americans worried about
  periodic economic slumps, growth of unemployed
• Political Consequences of Grenville Act-
  colonists want to protect powers of
  selfgovernment, provincial assemblies desired to
  resist imperial policies

31
Stirrings of Revolt

• War gave colonists renewed sense of importance
  and commitment for protecting their autonomy.
  Gave British belief that they needed to tighten
  administration of empire.
• Stamp Act affected all Americans, actual
  economic burdens were light, interpreted as
  direct attempt to raise revenue in colonies
  without consent of colonies. Merchants and
  lawyers had to buy stamps for ships papers and
  legal documents. Printers had to buy stamps for
  publications.

32
Stirrings of Revolt

• Sugar act wasnt dramatically different from
  imperial duties. Stamp act was direct attempt to
  raise revenue in colonies without the consent of
  the colonies.
• Patrick Henry made dramatic speech to the House
  of Burgesses (1765), introduced set of
  resolutions declaring Americans had same rights
  as British can only be taxed by their own
  representation --circulated as the
  Virginia Resolves
• James Otis persuaded Massachusetts colonial
  assembly to call the Stamp Act Congress 9
  colonies petitioned King and Parliament. Said
  they owed Parliament All due subordination but
  denied that colonies could be taxed.

33
Stirrings of Revolt

• Sons of Liberty riots broke out summer 1765,
  terrorized stamp agents, ceased sale of stamps,
  destroyed Thomas Hutchinson's house (pro-British
  aristocrat). Spread a boycott of Sugar Act and
  other British Acts. Intimidated those less than
  willing to participate.

34
Stirrings of Revolt

• England backed down attitude changed due to
  economic pressure, colonial boycott spread,
  causing English merchants to lose colonial
  market, begged to repeal Stamp Act out of fear of
  unemployment, poverty
• Marquis Rockingham new prime minister (1765)
  convinced king to kill the Stamp Act

35
Stirrings of Revolt

• Declaratory Act passed same day, asserting
  Parliaments authority over colonies in all cases
  whatsoever
• Charles Townshend assumed leadership due to
  Pitt's inability to govern as Prime minister,
  known as "Weathercock" and "Champagne Charlie"-
  passed Mutiny (Quartering) Act 1765.

36
Stirrings of Revolt

• Opposition of Mutiny Act resent that
  contributions were mandatory, viewed as form of
  taxation without representation. Massachusetts
  assembly refused to vote mandated supplies in
  response.
• Townshend disbanded New York Assembly until they
  agreed to obey Mutiny Act, levied new taxes.

37
Stirrings of Revolt

• Townshend Duties new taxes on various imported
  goods lead, paint, paper, tea (external duties)
  
• Results colonists viewed them as effort to raise
  revenue without any consent, Massachusetts
  Assembly sent letter urging colonies to stand up
  against every tax- Lord Hillsborough (secretary
  of state for the colonies) warned assemblies
  endorsing Mass. would be dissolved, 92 to 17
  rallied in support of it, new board of customs
  officials established, ended most smuggling in
  Boston, began to boycott British goods-
  Philadelphia and New York joined non-importation
  agreement.

38
Stirrings of Revolt

• Lord North new prime minister, attempted to
  break non-importation agreement and divide
  colonists- repealed Townshend Duties except tax
  on tea.

39
Stirrings of Revolt

• Boston Massacre British redcoats stationed in
  Boston as result of harassment of customs
  officials, 1770 British soldiers fired into a
  crowd, killing 5 people- local resistance leaders
  transformed murky incident into symbol of
  British brutality and oppression,
• propaganda Paul Revere, colonial pamphlets,
  newspapers

40
Stirrings of Revolt

• Samuel Adams most effective radical in colonies,
  proposed creation of Committee of Correspondence
  to publicize grievances against England.
• Ideas in support of Revolution emerged drawn
  from religious sources and political experiences

41
Stirrings of Revolt

• "Radical" ideas from abroad Scots-considered
  English tyrannical, Country Whigs- excluded from
  power, felt it was corrupt and oppressive
  system.
• England's Balanced Constitution government
  necessary to protect from evil, safeguards
  against abuses of power necessary- distributed
  power among monarchy, aristocracy and common
  people

42
Stirrings of Revolt

• By 17th century Americans became convinced that
  constitution was in danger- single center of
  power (king and ministers) becoming corrupt and
  dangerous tyranny.
• Americans believed in right to be taxed only with
  their own consent No taxation without
  representation

43
Stirrings of Revolt

• Virtual Representation-idea colonies represented
  in Parliament even though they elected no
  representatives
• Actual Representation- every community entitled
  its own representative elected by people of that
  community and directly responsible to them- no
  direct representatives in Parliament- not
  represented there

44
Stirrings of Revolt

• Rise in revolutionary ideology- ordinary people
  heard, discussed and absorbed new ideas.
• Colonists kept revolutionary sentiment alive-
  meetings in churches, schools, town squares and
  taverns continued. Growing discontent with English

45
Stirrings of Revolt

• Gaspee Affair act of rebellion. Colonists seized
  British revenue ship, set it afire and sank in
  Narragansett Bay (1772). Accused sent to London
  for trial, not tried in Colonial courts.

46
Stirrings of Revolt

• Tea Act of 1773- revived revolutionary fervor, in
  effort to save East India Company, gave company
  right to export merchandise directly to colonies
  without paying navigation taxes could undersell
  merchants, create monopoly.
• Results boycotting tea, women particularly
  important (mass popular protest).

47
Stirrings of Revolt

• Daughters of Liberty- Mercy Otis Warren led women
  in anti-British riots. Mocked male counterparts
  in British military.

48
Stirrings of Revolt

• Boston Tea Party-(1773) dressed as Mohawks went
  aboard 3 ships, broke open tea chests and threw
  into Boston harbor

49
Stirrings of Revolt

• Coercive Acts/Intolerable acts (1774)- George III
  closed port of Boston, reduced powers of
  self-government, permitted royal officers to be
  tried in other colonies when accused of crimes,
  provided for quartering of troops in colonists
  houses
• Results colonial legislatures passed resolves
  supporting Massachusetts, women continued to
  boycott British goods

50
Stirrings of Revolt

• Quebec Act- object to civil government for French
  speaking Catholics- granted political rights to
  Roman Catholics, convinced some colonists it was
  a plot to subject them to tyranny of the pope,
  would hinder westward expansion

51
Stirrings of Revolt

• Samuel Adams called Convention of Delegates
  (1768) made sure all colonists respected forms
  of popular resistance (boycotts)

52
Stirrings of Revolt

• Continental Congress elected by assemblies,
  delegates from 13 colonies (except Georgia) met
  in Philadelphia, 5 major decisions
• 1. Rejected plan for colonial union under British
  authority
• 2. Endorsed statement of grievances
• 3. Approved series of resolutions recommending
  colonists make military preparations
• 4. Agreed to non-importation, non-exportation
  stopping all trade with Great Britain
• 5. Agreed to meet again in spring of next year

53
Stirrings of Revolt

• Conciliatory Propositions by Lord North, didnt
  reach America until after first shots were fired
• General Thomas Gage sent 1000 soldiers to
  Lexington and Concord to seize illegal supplies
• William Dawes and Paul Revere- rode to warn
  villages and farms

54
Stirrings of Revolt

• Lexington and Concord arrived in Lexington to
  find minutemen waiting - shots fired 8 men died
• Along road from Concord to Boston soldiers
  harassed, lost 3 times as many men as Americans

Lexington and Concord
Paul Reveres Ride American Forces British Forces
55
Stirrings of Revolt

• Disagreement about who fired "the shot heard
  around the world
• War for Independence had begun