🫖American Revolution Unit 1 – Roots of the American Revolution

Colonial Context

• By the mid-18th century, the British colonies in North America had grown significantly in population and economic importance
• Colonies developed distinct regional identities and economies (New England, Middle Colonies, Southern Colonies)
  • New England focused on shipbuilding, fishing, and trade
  • Middle Colonies known for diverse agriculture and commerce
  • Southern Colonies relied heavily on plantation agriculture (tobacco, rice, indigo)
• Colonies enjoyed a degree of self-governance through elected assemblies while still under British rule
• Colonists' sense of identity began to diverge from that of British subjects due to distance and differing experiences
• The French and Indian War (1754-1763) altered the balance of power in North America, with Britain gaining significant territory from France
• However, the war also led to increased tensions between the colonies and Britain over issues of taxation and governance

British Policies and Taxation

• In the aftermath of the French and Indian War, Britain sought to tighten control over the colonies and generate revenue to pay off war debts
• The Sugar Act (1764) aimed to reduce smuggling and enforce duties on imported sugar and molasses
• The Currency Act (1764) restricted colonies from issuing their own paper money, causing economic hardship
• The Stamp Act (1765) required colonists to pay a tax on various paper goods (newspapers, legal documents, playing cards)
  • This direct tax on colonists was met with widespread opposition and protests
• The Quartering Act (1765) required colonies to provide housing and supplies for British soldiers, further straining colonial resources
• The Townshend Acts (1767) placed duties on imported goods such as glass, lead, paper, and tea
• These policies and taxes were seen by colonists as infringements upon their rights as British subjects and led to growing resentment

Colonial Resistance and Protests

• Colonists responded to British policies and taxes with various forms of resistance and protest
• The Stamp Act Congress (1765) brought together representatives from nine colonies to coordinate opposition to the Stamp Act
  • Issued the "Declaration of Rights and Grievances" asserting colonists' rights as British subjects
• Non-importation agreements encouraged colonists to boycott British goods in protest of the Townshend Acts
• The Boston Massacre (1770) escalated tensions when British soldiers fired upon a crowd of colonists, killing five
• The Boston Tea Party (1773) saw colonists dumping British tea into Boston Harbor in protest of the Tea Act
• Committees of Correspondence formed to share information and coordinate resistance efforts among the colonies
• The First Continental Congress (1774) convened to address grievances and plan a united response to the Intolerable Acts

Key Figures and Groups

• Samuel Adams, a prominent Boston political activist, played a key role in organizing resistance to British policies
  • Helped establish the Sons of Liberty and the Committees of Correspondence
• Benjamin Franklin, a renowned inventor and diplomat, served as a colonial agent in London and advocated for colonial rights
• Patrick Henry, an influential orator, delivered famous speeches in support of colonial liberties (e.g., "Give me liberty, or give me death!")
• Thomas Paine, a political activist and writer, published "Common Sense" (1776), which argued for American independence
• The Sons of Liberty, a secret society formed to oppose British policies, engaged in protests and acts of resistance
• The Daughters of Liberty supported the non-importation movement by producing homespun cloth and boycotting British goods

Ideological Foundations

• The Enlightenment ideas of natural rights, social contract theory, and limited government influenced colonial thinking
  • John Locke's concept of natural rights (life, liberty, and property) resonated with colonists
  • The idea that government derives its power from the consent of the governed challenged the notion of absolute monarchy
• The English Bill of Rights (1689) and the Glorious Revolution established principles of parliamentary supremacy and individual rights
• Colonists viewed themselves as entitled to the same rights and liberties as Englishmen under British law
• The concept of "no taxation without representation" became a rallying cry for colonists who lacked direct representation in the British Parliament
• Republican ideals emphasizing civic virtue, self-governance, and resistance to corruption gained traction among colonists
• The Great Awakening, a religious revival movement, emphasized individual conscience and challenged traditional authority

Significant Events

• The French and Indian War (1754-1763) resulted in British victory but also increased tensions between Britain and the colonies
• The Proclamation of 1763 prohibited colonial settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains, angering colonists seeking new lands
• The Stamp Act Crisis (1765) sparked widespread protests and the formation of the Stamp Act Congress
• The Boston Massacre (1770) heightened animosity between colonists and British soldiers stationed in the colonies
• The Boston Tea Party (1773) was a direct action protest against the Tea Act and British taxation policies
• The Coercive Acts (Intolerable Acts) (1774) punished Massachusetts for the Boston Tea Party, closing the port of Boston and restricting colonial self-governance
• The Battles of Lexington and Concord (April 19, 1775) marked the outbreak of armed conflict between British troops and colonial militiamen

Escalation to War

• The Intolerable Acts (1774) further alienated colonists and led to the convening of the First Continental Congress
  • Delegates issued the Suffolk Resolves, declaring the Intolerable Acts unconstitutional and calling for resistance
• The Second Continental Congress (1775) met in the aftermath of Lexington and Concord, serving as a de facto government for the colonies
  • Established the Continental Army with George Washington as commander-in-chief
  • Issued the Olive Branch Petition as a final attempt at reconciliation with Britain
• King George III rejected the Olive Branch Petition and declared the colonies in a state of rebellion
• Thomas Paine's "Common Sense" (1776) made a compelling case for independence and helped shift public opinion
• The Battle of Bunker Hill (June 1775) demonstrated the resolve of colonial forces and resulted in heavy British casualties
• The Siege of Boston (1775-1776) ended with the British evacuation of the city, a significant morale boost for the colonists

Legacy and Impact

• The American Revolution (1775-1783) resulted in the creation of an independent United States of America
• The Declaration of Independence (1776) formally declared the colonies' separation from Britain and articulated the principles of self-governance and individual rights
• The Articles of Confederation (1777) served as the first governing document of the United States, establishing a loose confederation of states
• The Treaty of Paris (1783) officially ended the war, with Britain recognizing American independence and ceding territory to the new nation
• The American Revolution inspired other colonial and independence movements around the world (e.g., Latin American revolutions)
• The ideals of the American Revolution, such as liberty, equality, and self-determination, have had a lasting impact on political thought and governance
• The Constitution of the United States (1787) and the Bill of Rights (1791) codified the principles of limited government, separation of powers, and individual rights
• The American Revolution set the stage for the growth and development of the United States as a major world power in the centuries to come