Lecture 1:The American Revolution

as a Constitutional Struggle

French & Indian War (1755-1763)

Background Expansion of British

colonies King George’s War

The Albany Conference

French & Indian War (1755-1763)

Treaty of Paris, 1763 France depleted Spain British gains Proclamation Line of

1763

French & Indian War (1755-1763)

Results: The colonies after the

warDepressionProclamation lineWartime experience

Unity among the colonies

The Road to War

British policy changes Standing army

SoldiersJobsColonies to pay

George Grenville’s actsSugar Act 1763Currency Act 1764

Stamp Act, 1765Reaction: riotsSons of LibertyRepealed

The Road to War

Heightened tension Declaratory Act Charles Townshend Townshend Acts 1769, Virginia

Resolutions Boston Massacre,

1770 Committee of

Correspondence

The Road to WarHeightened tension

Boston Tea Party, 1773 Coercive Acts

Continental Congress(es), 1774 & 1775Lexington & Concord, Apr. 14, 1775Thomas Paine, Common SenseDeclaration of Independence, Thomas

Jefferson, July 4, 1776

The Declaration of IndependenceWhen in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

The Declaration of IndependenceWe hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed…

The War for Independence

The Revolution for the Nation

“13 clocks striking in unison”Divisions between the states

Localism vs. Nationalism States vs. national govt. Large states vs. small Landed states vs. landless North vs. South

The Revolution for the Nation

Ties that unite the nation? Language?

Noah Webster

Territory? Communications? Religion? Traditions? Currency?

“What then is the American?” American mythology

Ideal of equalityIdeal of self-made manIdeal of “melting pot”“Rugged individualism”

We are united by great and frightening challenges

The Articles of Confederation

Powers of Congress: Wage war Foreign affairs Boundary disputes Indian affairs Post office

Powers it lacked: Raise troops Levy taxes

The Articles of ConfederationArticle 1:

“The United States of America”

Article 5: Freedom of speech

Article 4: National citizenship

Article 9: Unity of the colonies

Article 2: States’ rights

The Articles of ConfederationWeaknesses:

Single house in the legislature No separate judicial branch Could not impose taxes Changes require unanimous support Article 8: paying for war

The Articles of ConfederationThe situation becomes desperate:

We are bankrupt Taxation Money disputes

The Articles of ConfederationThe situation becomes desperate:

Shay’s Rebellion