Unit 3: The Revolutionary War and American Republic (1763-1791)The American Revolution (1775-1783)

British Economic Policy Toward the Colonies• Mercantilism – the belief a nation’s

prosperity is linked to a strong economy. This was accomplished by a favorable balance of trade (more exports than imports), amassing gold and silver, and maintaining colonies (markets for mother country’s products + sources of raw materials.

• 1607-1763 – England’s policy was salutary neglect toward the colonies. Navigation Acts 1651-1733 were not really enforced.

• This means leaving the colonies to basically govern themselves to ensure prosperity for both sides.

• This policy was ended after the French and Indian War. Do you remember why???

The Triangle Trade& Middle Passage

British Action Why the British Took Action?

Colonial Reaction

Proclamation of 1763 To save $$$ and keep colonists from moving west out of Kings control & fighting costly wars against Indians

Angry at loss of freedom and access to new lands; they basically ignored it

Sugar Act of 1764 Taxed sugar, coffee, but reduced tax on all molasses; to raise $$$ to pay war debt

Angry at the principle because this law was to be enforced; hated taxes; “no taxation without representation”

Quartering Act of 1765 Standing British Army in colonies; legislatures had to pay to house the soldiers

Angry!; colonial legislatures refused to obey it

Stamp Act of 1765 1st direct tax to raise $$$ on colonists; documents & printed paper items

Angry protests & Stamp Act Congress; boycott of British goods began

Townshend Acts of 1767 Import taxes on tea, lead, paint, paper, & glass; $$$ to pay soldiers kept here & Royal governors salaries

Angry; protest pamphlets and the boycott continued & trade with Britain was cut in half

1770 Boston Massacre Citizens taunted 9 British soldiers; soldiers killed 5 civilians

Captain Preston & 8 soldiers arrested; talk of independence for 1st time

Tea Act of 1773 To save British East India Company and keep tax on tea

Boston Tea Party; shipment of tea dumped into harbor by Sons of Liberty

Intolerable Acts of 1774 To punish MA & close Boston Harbor; Expanded Quartering Act to private homes

First Continental Congress called to renew boycotts; Olive Branch Petition to King to list complaints; calls for militia to be prepared to fight

Lexington and Concord 1775 700 British marched to Concord, MA to seize weapons stored there

130 colonists refused to give up weapons; 1st shots of the Revolution

The 1st Battle: Lexington-Concord (April 19, 1775)“The Shot Heard Round the World”

•247 dead Redcoats and 93 Patriot casualties. The British retreated from Concord, MA.•May 1775 - the Second Continental Congress (which would serve as the wartime government of the colonies) met in Philadelphia and chose George Washington to lead the Continental Army.•November 1775 – the Olive Branch Petition (sent in July) was denied by King George III who said the colonies were in open rebellion.•The 13 Colonies were united and at war with Great Britain; there would be no turning back!•How could the Colonies defeat the world’s superpower, Great Britain?

The Colonies and Britain ComparedAdvantages of the Colonies

• We had a cause!• We were on the defensive!• We were rugged

outdoorsmen!• Guerilla Warfare!• George Washington’s

leadership!• France: The deciding factor!

Advantages of the British

• Arguably the best-trained & equipped Army in the world!

• The most powerful Navy in the world!

• Greater population!• More $$$ and resources!• Experience: Britain had been

busting heads around Europe for a long , long time!

The Colonies and Britain ComparedDisadvantages of the Colonies

• No real government! (i.e. Continental Congress)

• No real money! (i.e. Continental Currency was unstable and mistrusted)

• Militias were poorly fed, trained, & equipped!

• No Navy!• Desertions were common!• Only 1/3 of Colonists actually

favored the cause!

Disadvantages of the British

• Poor Leadership: Prime Minister Lord North was weak and indecisive.

• Many in Parliament (the Whigs) didn’t support the war!

• Distance!• The colonies had no real

center. France has Paris; Britain has London.

• The soldiers really didn’t want to be here!

The Declaration of Independence• Common Sense – Jan. 1776 a huge hit; encouraged

colonists to consider cause of independence.• June 7, 1776 – R.H. Lee (VA) introduced a resolution to the

2nd Continental Congress calling for a declaration.• Committee of 5 chosen to prepare a statement explaining

why to King George III (Franklin, J. Adams, Jefferson, Sherman, & Livingston).

• July 2, 1776 – Congress resolves to declare independence.• July 4, 1776 – Congress approves the Declaration of

Independence as written.• It is a cornerstone of American literature and one of the

truest examples of the principles of Democracy upon which America is founded.

• Thomas Jefferson was heavily influenced by the Enlightenment, and particularly English philosopher, John Locke, author of the Natural Rights philosophy.

Morgan Freeman-Reading of the Declaration of Independence

Winning the War (1775-1783)

• Fall 1776 – NYC in British hands & Washington retreated to NJ.

• In spite of victories at Trenton & Princeton in late 1776, the army is tired and winters at Valley Forge.

• The British occupied Philadelphia in the fall of 1777.

Turning Point: Battle of Saratoga

• October 1777 – Generals Arnold and Gates win a huge victory & capture 6000 British and 5 Generals.

• This victory convinces France to join the colonists.

• The French Navy, Army, money, and equipment prove to be the difference.

The End: The Battle of Yorktown• October 19, 1781 – Washington

and Lafayette trapped General Cornwallis & 8000 British and Hessian soldiers at Yorktown, VA. The British surrendered!

• Treaty of Paris (1783) – gave U.S. all land between Appalachian Mts. & Mississippi River

• Most importantly, we had won our freedom from Great Britain!

Exit Slip: American Revolution1. This nation aided the colonies in the war against Britain?

a. Italy b. France c. The Netherlands2. This battle fought in upstate NY in October 1777 was the

turning point of the Revolution?a. Saratoga b. Ft. Ticonderoga c. White Plains

3. This representative body served as the government for the colonies during the Revolution?a. Stamp Act Congress b. Continental Congress c. Senate

4. This was great American victory in VA in Oct. 1781 ultimately led Great Britain to surrender to the colonies?a. Lexington-Concord b. Bunker Hill c. Yorktown

Bell Ringer: The Path to Divorce!1. The Proclamation of 1763 banned the colonists from

a. trading with foreign nations.b. trading furs with Native Americans.c. settling lands west of the Appalachian Mountains.

2. The Sugar Act and the Stamp Act were passed toa. help the economies of the 13 colonies.b. lower the amount of taxes paid by the 13 colonies.c. provide Britain with money to pay off its war debt.

3. This act was passed to save the struggling British East India Company?a. Tea Act b. Townshend Tax c. Quartering Act

4. The Intolerable or Coercive Acts were passed in response toa. The Boston Massacre. b. The Boston Tea Party. c. the Sons of Liberty.

Tar and Feathers from John Adams