Post by djxkorean on Jul 12, 2009 7:25:24 GMT -8
Heading into the American Revolution 1763-1775
I. Colonists hate England's control
. . A. Proclamation Line (1763)
. . . . 1. The Proclamation line is set up along the Alleghenies to separate the Native Americans from the colonists
. . . . 2. King and ministers view this as good way to keep peace with Native Americans without paying alot
. . . . 3. Colonists are angered because the Line can't be enforced, and also because their were colonists on the other side of the line.
. . B. Grenville Program (1764-1765) numerous acts and policy orders set up by George Grenville, treasurer in the British ministry.
. . . . 1. Sugar Act (1764) taxes molasses, sugar, and other products imported from outside British empire
. . . . 2. Ends policy of "Salutary neglect"
. . . . . . a. vice-admiralty court was established in Halifax
. . . . . . b. shippers required to post heavier bond to pay for possible money in a fine.
. . . . . . c. local "deputies" give way to tax officials from England
. . . . . . d. increase in number of soldiers
. . . . . . . . i. alleged purpose: strengthen defenses against Indians
. . . . . . . . ii. mainly situated within cities and coast, so colonists feel their main job is to back up tax collectors
Note: many of these policies required money, which resulted in more taxes. This most likely also angered the colonists
. . . . . . e. given writs of assistance (blanket search warrants)
. . . . 3. Stamp Act (1765)
. . . . . . a. Stamps had to be affixed to about 50 items. This tax paid the expense of defending the colonies
. . . . . . b. Stamp Act Congress (1765)
. . . . . . . . i. started due to James Otis, who called a protest meeting
. . . . . . . . ii. 9 colonies represented.
. . . . . . . . iii. Brings up topic of taxation without representation. Only colonies assemblies could levy taxes for revenue purposes.
. . . . 4. Sons of Liberty
. . . . . . a. protest the Stamp Act and other taxes/acts through any means, including violence
. . . . . . b. stage large protests and boycotts; burn cities, tar and feather, burn and ransack homes, etc.
. . . . . . c. Harassing of tax distributors and damage business of merchants that they petition to England to repeal Stamp Act
. . . . . . d. Stamp act repealed on May 1, 1766.
The question was not what to tax or how to tax - it was:
How could taxes be levied in such a way that the colonists would accept them?
II. Britain tries to make colonies understand mother land is in charge.
. . A. Why the colonists were angry at the Stamp Tax
. . . . 1. Stamp Tax was levied on items that was within the colonies and not intended to go out of the colonies
. . . . . . a. Colonists felt that this over stepped the allowed powers given to England.
. . . . 2. It was strictly a revenue-raising scheme, and if allowed to expand, would take the "power of purse" away from the assemblies.
. . . . . . a. If a tax made money, that was fine. But if it were strictly for the purpose of making money, then that isn't fine.
. . . . 3. The colonists were fine with control of intercolonial and foreign trade.
. . B. Declaratory Act(1766) - Britain flexes its muscles
. . . . 1. Parliament has the right to make any laws that would hold the colonies and British government together
. . . . 2. Rejection of taxation without representation, taxation for revenue, and any distinction between internal and external taxes
. . C. Quartering Act(1766): supply soldiers with living quarters
. . . . 1. Obviously had a big effect, seeing as how their is an amendment regarding this
. . . . 2. Coastal cities and town resented expense of soldiers; Sons of Liberty lead disorders against Red Coats
. . D. Townshend Acts (1767): Charles Townshend replaces Grenville
. . . . 1. makes all new taxes external
. . . . . . a. taxes pay salaries of officials in America, operating of vice-admiralty courts, and establish American Board of Commissioners of Customs
III. Fires of Hatred
. . A. "Farmer's Letters" (1767)
. . . . 1. attacked Townshend taxes: they are import taxes levied to make money and could not be levied by Parliament
. . . . 2. Only taxes levied to control trade or to regulate affairs of empire were within the domain of King and Parliament
. . B. Benjamin Franklin: Either Parliament controls all the laws or none of them. The colonists support the latter
. . C. Samuel Adams draws up Circular Letter (1768)
. . . . 1. series of statements protesting Townshend Acts
. . . . . . a. "Taxation without representation is tyranny"
. . . . 2. drawn up into resolutions by several colonies
. . D. 2nd Boycott
. . . . 1. Items on the Townshend list were not to be bought by colonial merchants
. . . . 2. reduced trade, but did not result in petition to Parliament
. . . . 3. modification of Townshend duties was imminent
. . E. Townshend Duties are repealed by new Prime minister, Lord North
. . . . 1. Tax on tea still remains to emphasize that Parliament has the right to levy such taxes.
. . . . 2. No new taxes are levied.
. . F. Boston Massacre (March 5, 1770)
. . . . 1. Fistfight between soldier and civilian draws a crowd.
. . . . 2. British Thomas Preston and squad of soldiers gather, and eventually shots are fired.
. . . . . . a. 5 civilians killed. 2 soldiers are given sentences, while Captain Preston and others are acquitted.
IV. Quiet Period (April, 1770 - December, 1773)
. . A. Leaders and royal governors welcome both prosperity and quiet.
. . B. Samuel Adams, Patrick Henry, and Thomas Jefferson not pleased with peace and quiet.
. . . . 1. forms committees of correspondence in every Massachusetts town.
. . . . . . a. James Otis is chairman of Boston Committee.
. . . . . . b. It was a propaganda campaign to fan the fires of rebellion.
. . . . . . c. Succeeds in goal of stirring rebellion.
V. And the Fires of Rebellion burn again
. . A. Boston Tea Party (1773)
. . . . 1. To prevent the British East India Tea Company from going bankrupt, England gives it a monopoly of the tea trade within empire
. . . . 2. If England had given a monopoly to tea company, they could set up other monopolies for other companies.
. . . . 3. Colonists react by first refusing the buy the tea.
. . . . 4. Sons of Liberty dress as Indians and throw all the tea on cargo boat in Boston into the harbor.
. . B. Intolerable Acts
. . . . 1. After Boston Tea Party, King feels he must flex muscles: make colonies accept tea tax even through force.
. . . . 2. Passes laws throughout the colonies
. . . . . . a. Boston Port Bill: nothing can pass through Boston harbor unless tea is paid for.
. . . . . . b. Official charged with capital crime in connection enforcing official duties tried in England
. . . . . . c. Upper house appointed by king
. . . . . . d. No town meetings unless allowed by governor. Even then only agenda that governor allows
. . . . . . e. Quartering Act in affect
. . . . 3. Any threats to Massachusetts viewed as threat to all the colonies
. . . . . . a. If it could happen to Massachusetts, it could happen to any colony
VI. First Continental Congress (Sept. 5 - Oct 26: 1774)
. . A. Every colony sends delegates. Georgia only colony not represented
. . B. Adopted Suffolk Resolves:
. . . . 1. keep trade with England to minimum
. . . . 2. consider null and void all punitive measures taken against MA.
. . . . 3. approved efforts of Massachusetts to operate colonial gov't separate from royal control
. . . . 4. urged all colonies to raise and train militia of their own
. . C. Trade restriction of Suffolk Resolves carried out
. . D. Votes upon (but fails to pass) Galloway Plan of Union
. . . . 1. sets up Grand Council (see Albany Plan)
. . . . . . a. Acts as adjunct to British Parliament
. . . . . . b. measures dealing with colonies has to pass both Parliament and Grand Council
. . . . 2. recognizes right of king and Parliament to regulate external trade and any matters that ware clearly affairs of empire.
. . . . 3. denies the right of king and Parliament to levy revenue taxes or interfere with internal affairs of the colonies.
VII. King Reacts and then Colonists counter
. . A. King and Parliament aren't moved by colonists boycott or other actions
. . B. Orders generals to enforce the laws set in place (see Intolerable Acts)
. . C. General sends troops to Concord to seize arms that were supplying militia
. . . . 1. Paul Revere and William Dawes aroused countryside up to Lexington.
. . . . 2. Dr. Samuel Prescott sends warning to Concord
. . . . 3. Captain John Parker and 50 Minutemen stand up against the British force, but lose in Battle of Lexington
. . . . 4. British march on to Concord and are fired upon by small group of colonial militiamen ("shot heard around the world")
. . . . 5. When British troops return, swarmed by very angry colonial militia, and only survive due to reinforcements from Lexington
. . D. Ethan Allen and Green Mountain Boys capture Fort Ticonderoga (1775)
. . . . 1. the cannons captured become decisive factor in persuading British to leave Boston harbor in March of 1776
VIII. 2nd Continental Congress (1775)
. . A. Radicals are in control, with John Hancock as president.
. . B. Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin favor complete independence.
. . C. John Dickinson main spokesmen for conservative faction: wish for more petitions and appeals to king.
. . D. Decision in favor of war for independence made outside of Congress by events of 1775 and Thomas Paine's Common Sense(1776)
. . E. During the session of Congress
. . . . 1. Battle of Bunker Hill happens 5 wks into opening meeting of Congress. Large losses for British (1000) and colonists (400).
. . . . 2. Also during Congress, colonial troops under General Philip Schuyler and later under General Richard Montgomery are in Canada
. . . . . . a. Later, they take Montreal and form expedition to attack Quebec.
. . . . 3. By end of 1775, war is largely under way.
. . . . 4. In a formal proclamation by King of England claims colonists in a state of rebellion (August 1775)
. . . . 5. Even into 1776, indecision about exact state of American-English relationship
. . F. Transformed from organization of protest to organization of revolution. (see Bunker Hill, Ethan Allen, etc.)
. . G. Calls for more militia in multiple colonies
. . H. George Washington is appointed Commander in Chief (June 15)
. . . . 1. To make sure that revolution not just a Massachusetts revolution but colonial, place power in non-Massachusetts person.
. . . . . . a. Prominence given early on to colony other than Massachusetts: Virginia (had Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson)
Commentary: It is quite interesting to note that the revolution by the colonies is amazingly similar to the revolutionaries such as Al Queda and revolutions taking place within Iran. The fact that they opposed the restrictions set up by the British Government and the dislike towards the amount of control the British Government had over the colonists is something that resonates to this day, as Al Queda and revolutionaries in South America fight for their independence. I am just as unsympathetic towards those extremists groups as I am for the American revolutionaries, meaning that I am not one to cry over the problems these revolutionaries face because the revolutionaries largely know what they are getting themselves into. On the other hand, I respect all those who stand up to their beliefs, and the revolutionaries are no exception.
Another thing to take into account is Grenville's impact on the American Revolution. In my opinion, Grenville took too big of a jump when it came to taxing the colonists. Especially the Stamp Act, seeing as how it was on goods that did not deal with exports but something that was being traded strictly through the colonies, most often led to hostilities towards the British government, causing moderates to join such radical groups such as the Sons of Liberty. After Grenville's policies, any changes really became obsolete in calming the colonists down. If Townshend had come before Grenville, I find it hard to see how such turmoil would have grown. Townshend's policies were largely moderate, only collecting external taxes. If he had come before Grenville, I am sure he wouldn't have been opposed to the extent as he did.
I. Colonists hate England's control
. . A. Proclamation Line (1763)
. . . . 1. The Proclamation line is set up along the Alleghenies to separate the Native Americans from the colonists
. . . . 2. King and ministers view this as good way to keep peace with Native Americans without paying alot
. . . . 3. Colonists are angered because the Line can't be enforced, and also because their were colonists on the other side of the line.
. . B. Grenville Program (1764-1765) numerous acts and policy orders set up by George Grenville, treasurer in the British ministry.
. . . . 1. Sugar Act (1764) taxes molasses, sugar, and other products imported from outside British empire
. . . . 2. Ends policy of "Salutary neglect"
. . . . . . a. vice-admiralty court was established in Halifax
. . . . . . b. shippers required to post heavier bond to pay for possible money in a fine.
. . . . . . c. local "deputies" give way to tax officials from England
. . . . . . d. increase in number of soldiers
. . . . . . . . i. alleged purpose: strengthen defenses against Indians
. . . . . . . . ii. mainly situated within cities and coast, so colonists feel their main job is to back up tax collectors
Note: many of these policies required money, which resulted in more taxes. This most likely also angered the colonists
. . . . . . e. given writs of assistance (blanket search warrants)
. . . . 3. Stamp Act (1765)
. . . . . . a. Stamps had to be affixed to about 50 items. This tax paid the expense of defending the colonies
. . . . . . b. Stamp Act Congress (1765)
. . . . . . . . i. started due to James Otis, who called a protest meeting
. . . . . . . . ii. 9 colonies represented.
. . . . . . . . iii. Brings up topic of taxation without representation. Only colonies assemblies could levy taxes for revenue purposes.
. . . . 4. Sons of Liberty
. . . . . . a. protest the Stamp Act and other taxes/acts through any means, including violence
. . . . . . b. stage large protests and boycotts; burn cities, tar and feather, burn and ransack homes, etc.
. . . . . . c. Harassing of tax distributors and damage business of merchants that they petition to England to repeal Stamp Act
. . . . . . d. Stamp act repealed on May 1, 1766.
The question was not what to tax or how to tax - it was:
How could taxes be levied in such a way that the colonists would accept them?
II. Britain tries to make colonies understand mother land is in charge.
. . A. Why the colonists were angry at the Stamp Tax
. . . . 1. Stamp Tax was levied on items that was within the colonies and not intended to go out of the colonies
. . . . . . a. Colonists felt that this over stepped the allowed powers given to England.
. . . . 2. It was strictly a revenue-raising scheme, and if allowed to expand, would take the "power of purse" away from the assemblies.
. . . . . . a. If a tax made money, that was fine. But if it were strictly for the purpose of making money, then that isn't fine.
. . . . 3. The colonists were fine with control of intercolonial and foreign trade.
. . B. Declaratory Act(1766) - Britain flexes its muscles
. . . . 1. Parliament has the right to make any laws that would hold the colonies and British government together
. . . . 2. Rejection of taxation without representation, taxation for revenue, and any distinction between internal and external taxes
. . C. Quartering Act(1766): supply soldiers with living quarters
. . . . 1. Obviously had a big effect, seeing as how their is an amendment regarding this
. . . . 2. Coastal cities and town resented expense of soldiers; Sons of Liberty lead disorders against Red Coats
. . D. Townshend Acts (1767): Charles Townshend replaces Grenville
. . . . 1. makes all new taxes external
. . . . . . a. taxes pay salaries of officials in America, operating of vice-admiralty courts, and establish American Board of Commissioners of Customs
III. Fires of Hatred
. . A. "Farmer's Letters" (1767)
. . . . 1. attacked Townshend taxes: they are import taxes levied to make money and could not be levied by Parliament
. . . . 2. Only taxes levied to control trade or to regulate affairs of empire were within the domain of King and Parliament
. . B. Benjamin Franklin: Either Parliament controls all the laws or none of them. The colonists support the latter
. . C. Samuel Adams draws up Circular Letter (1768)
. . . . 1. series of statements protesting Townshend Acts
. . . . . . a. "Taxation without representation is tyranny"
. . . . 2. drawn up into resolutions by several colonies
. . D. 2nd Boycott
. . . . 1. Items on the Townshend list were not to be bought by colonial merchants
. . . . 2. reduced trade, but did not result in petition to Parliament
. . . . 3. modification of Townshend duties was imminent
. . E. Townshend Duties are repealed by new Prime minister, Lord North
. . . . 1. Tax on tea still remains to emphasize that Parliament has the right to levy such taxes.
. . . . 2. No new taxes are levied.
. . F. Boston Massacre (March 5, 1770)
. . . . 1. Fistfight between soldier and civilian draws a crowd.
. . . . 2. British Thomas Preston and squad of soldiers gather, and eventually shots are fired.
. . . . . . a. 5 civilians killed. 2 soldiers are given sentences, while Captain Preston and others are acquitted.
IV. Quiet Period (April, 1770 - December, 1773)
. . A. Leaders and royal governors welcome both prosperity and quiet.
. . B. Samuel Adams, Patrick Henry, and Thomas Jefferson not pleased with peace and quiet.
. . . . 1. forms committees of correspondence in every Massachusetts town.
. . . . . . a. James Otis is chairman of Boston Committee.
. . . . . . b. It was a propaganda campaign to fan the fires of rebellion.
. . . . . . c. Succeeds in goal of stirring rebellion.
V. And the Fires of Rebellion burn again
. . A. Boston Tea Party (1773)
. . . . 1. To prevent the British East India Tea Company from going bankrupt, England gives it a monopoly of the tea trade within empire
. . . . 2. If England had given a monopoly to tea company, they could set up other monopolies for other companies.
. . . . 3. Colonists react by first refusing the buy the tea.
. . . . 4. Sons of Liberty dress as Indians and throw all the tea on cargo boat in Boston into the harbor.
. . B. Intolerable Acts
. . . . 1. After Boston Tea Party, King feels he must flex muscles: make colonies accept tea tax even through force.
. . . . 2. Passes laws throughout the colonies
. . . . . . a. Boston Port Bill: nothing can pass through Boston harbor unless tea is paid for.
. . . . . . b. Official charged with capital crime in connection enforcing official duties tried in England
. . . . . . c. Upper house appointed by king
. . . . . . d. No town meetings unless allowed by governor. Even then only agenda that governor allows
. . . . . . e. Quartering Act in affect
. . . . 3. Any threats to Massachusetts viewed as threat to all the colonies
. . . . . . a. If it could happen to Massachusetts, it could happen to any colony
VI. First Continental Congress (Sept. 5 - Oct 26: 1774)
. . A. Every colony sends delegates. Georgia only colony not represented
. . B. Adopted Suffolk Resolves:
. . . . 1. keep trade with England to minimum
. . . . 2. consider null and void all punitive measures taken against MA.
. . . . 3. approved efforts of Massachusetts to operate colonial gov't separate from royal control
. . . . 4. urged all colonies to raise and train militia of their own
. . C. Trade restriction of Suffolk Resolves carried out
. . D. Votes upon (but fails to pass) Galloway Plan of Union
. . . . 1. sets up Grand Council (see Albany Plan)
. . . . . . a. Acts as adjunct to British Parliament
. . . . . . b. measures dealing with colonies has to pass both Parliament and Grand Council
. . . . 2. recognizes right of king and Parliament to regulate external trade and any matters that ware clearly affairs of empire.
. . . . 3. denies the right of king and Parliament to levy revenue taxes or interfere with internal affairs of the colonies.
VII. King Reacts and then Colonists counter
. . A. King and Parliament aren't moved by colonists boycott or other actions
. . B. Orders generals to enforce the laws set in place (see Intolerable Acts)
. . C. General sends troops to Concord to seize arms that were supplying militia
. . . . 1. Paul Revere and William Dawes aroused countryside up to Lexington.
. . . . 2. Dr. Samuel Prescott sends warning to Concord
. . . . 3. Captain John Parker and 50 Minutemen stand up against the British force, but lose in Battle of Lexington
. . . . 4. British march on to Concord and are fired upon by small group of colonial militiamen ("shot heard around the world")
. . . . 5. When British troops return, swarmed by very angry colonial militia, and only survive due to reinforcements from Lexington
. . D. Ethan Allen and Green Mountain Boys capture Fort Ticonderoga (1775)
. . . . 1. the cannons captured become decisive factor in persuading British to leave Boston harbor in March of 1776
VIII. 2nd Continental Congress (1775)
. . A. Radicals are in control, with John Hancock as president.
. . B. Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin favor complete independence.
. . C. John Dickinson main spokesmen for conservative faction: wish for more petitions and appeals to king.
. . D. Decision in favor of war for independence made outside of Congress by events of 1775 and Thomas Paine's Common Sense(1776)
. . E. During the session of Congress
. . . . 1. Battle of Bunker Hill happens 5 wks into opening meeting of Congress. Large losses for British (1000) and colonists (400).
. . . . 2. Also during Congress, colonial troops under General Philip Schuyler and later under General Richard Montgomery are in Canada
. . . . . . a. Later, they take Montreal and form expedition to attack Quebec.
. . . . 3. By end of 1775, war is largely under way.
. . . . 4. In a formal proclamation by King of England claims colonists in a state of rebellion (August 1775)
. . . . 5. Even into 1776, indecision about exact state of American-English relationship
. . F. Transformed from organization of protest to organization of revolution. (see Bunker Hill, Ethan Allen, etc.)
. . G. Calls for more militia in multiple colonies
. . H. George Washington is appointed Commander in Chief (June 15)
. . . . 1. To make sure that revolution not just a Massachusetts revolution but colonial, place power in non-Massachusetts person.
. . . . . . a. Prominence given early on to colony other than Massachusetts: Virginia (had Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson)
Commentary: It is quite interesting to note that the revolution by the colonies is amazingly similar to the revolutionaries such as Al Queda and revolutions taking place within Iran. The fact that they opposed the restrictions set up by the British Government and the dislike towards the amount of control the British Government had over the colonists is something that resonates to this day, as Al Queda and revolutionaries in South America fight for their independence. I am just as unsympathetic towards those extremists groups as I am for the American revolutionaries, meaning that I am not one to cry over the problems these revolutionaries face because the revolutionaries largely know what they are getting themselves into. On the other hand, I respect all those who stand up to their beliefs, and the revolutionaries are no exception.
Another thing to take into account is Grenville's impact on the American Revolution. In my opinion, Grenville took too big of a jump when it came to taxing the colonists. Especially the Stamp Act, seeing as how it was on goods that did not deal with exports but something that was being traded strictly through the colonies, most often led to hostilities towards the British government, causing moderates to join such radical groups such as the Sons of Liberty. After Grenville's policies, any changes really became obsolete in calming the colonists down. If Townshend had come before Grenville, I find it hard to see how such turmoil would have grown. Townshend's policies were largely moderate, only collecting external taxes. If he had come before Grenville, I am sure he wouldn't have been opposed to the extent as he did.