1 Political EnforcementColonial Reaction and British Political Enforcement in the 1770’s
2 The British victory in the French and Indian War led to great expansion of British territorial claims in the New World. However, the cost of the war brought resentment towards the colonists from the English leaders who believed that the colonies needed a major reorganization and that the central authority should be in London. The war had an equally profound but very different effect on the American colonists. The colonists had learned to unite together. Before the war, the thirteen colonies had no common ground and coexisted in mutual distrust. But now they realized that by working together they could be a power.
3 Last presentation we discussed the 12 issues of economic situations that motivated the colonial people to a self- determined future through the path of revolution. Money Supply Debt Mercantilism, mandate to sell only to England Taxation without representation Overpriced goods which led to more debt Customs racketeering Illegal search and seizures Increase in British assertiveness The limitation put on colonial manufacturing A call for boycott on British goods Establishment of provincial committees Proclamation of 1763 The Quebec Act of 1777
4 How did England respondThe Navigation Acts were efforts to put mercantilism into practice. Under the provisions of this legislation, trade with the colonies was to be conducted only in English or colonial ships. Certain goods (such as sugar, tobacco and indigo) were to be shipped only to England. The most significant result of the Navigation Acts upon American history was the stifling of colonial manufacturing and increased resentment against the mother country Woolens Act 1699 and the Hat Act 1732 Through the Hat Act of 1732, the Woolens Act of 1699, and the Iron Act of 1750 placed limits on what the colonies could produce. With each boycott, Americans devoted more rhetoric to the need to produce or manufacture locally more of what was being imported.
5 The Proclamation of 1763 The Proclamation line extended from the Atlantic coast to West Florida. Establishing and manning posts along the length of this boundary was a very expensive. The British argued that these outposts were for colonial defense, and should be paid for by the colonies. From the American perspective this amounted to another tax on the colonies to pay for an Imperial regulation that was opposed to the interests of the colonies The Sugar Act of 1764 that put a tax on foreign refined sugar and increased taxes on coffee, indigo, and certain kinds of wine. It banned importation of rum and French wines. These taxes affected only a certain part of the population, but the affected merchants were very vocal. Besides, the taxes were enacted without the consent of the colonists. This was one of the first instances in which colonists wanted a say in how much they were taxed.
6 Stamp Act 1765 Townshend Acts 1767 Tea Act 1773First direct British tax on American colonists. Instituted in November, Every newspaper, pamphlet, and other public and legal document had to have a Stamp, or British seal, on it. The Stamp, of course, cost money. The colonists didn't think they should have to pay for something they had been doing for free for many years, and they responded in force, with demonstrations and even with a diplomatic body called the Stamp Act Congress. Seeing the hostile reaction in the colonies, the British government repealed the Stamp Act in March 1766 but at the same time passed the Declaratory Act, which said that Great Britain was in charge of the American colonies "in all cases whatsoever." The Stamp Act gave the colonists a target for their rage. Indeed, the Sons of Liberty was formed in response to this Act. The Stamp Act Congress also gave the colonists a model for the Continental Congress. Townshend Acts 1767 Series of 1767 laws named for Charles Townshend, British Treasurer. These laws placed new taxes on glass, lead, paints, paper, and tea. Colonial reaction to these taxes was the same as to the Sugar Act and Stamp Act, and Britain eventually repealed all the taxes except the one on tea. In response to the sometimes violent protests by the American colonists, Great Britain sent more troops to the colonies. Tea Act 1773 1773 Act that gave a monopoly on tea sales to the East India Company. In other words, American colonists could buy no tea unless it came from that company. The Tea Act lowered the price on this East India tea so much that it was way below tea from other suppliers. But the American colonists saw this law as yet another means of "taxation without representation" because it meant that they couldn't buy tea from anyone else without spending a lot more money. Their response was to refuse to unload the tea from the ships. This was the situation in Boston that led to the Boston Tea Party.
7 Intolerable acts These were a series of laws enacted in 1774 in response to the Boston Tea Party. The Boston Port Act, The legislation dictated that the port of Boston was closed to all shipping until full restitution was made to the East India Company and the King for the lost tea and taxes Massachusetts Government Act made all law officers subject to appointment by the royal governor and banned all town meetings that didn't have approval of the royal governor Administration of Justice Act stated that royal officials could request a change of venue to another colony or London if charged with criminal acts in fulfilling their duties. Quartering Act, outlined the locations and conditions in which British soldiers are to find room and board in the American colonies. Quebec Act, which granted civil government and religious freedom to Catholics living in Quebec.
8 Colonial frustration leads to resistanceAs the middle class wealth declined, social frustration increased. After the French and Indian War ended there was an increase of people, yet not enough work. In many colonial cities, frustrated people began acting out in violent ways to protest the British control. A perfect example of the mob mentality confronting the British authority can be seen in the situation surrounding the Boston massacre. Here though is where we can see where one of the greatest foundational qualities of our nation. The Rule of Law! These local leaders who eventually become our country’s founding fathers realize the dilemma that is building. What will our society be based on, social conflict and lawlessness of the Rule of Law? Will it be vigilante justice or the truth of what is right and wring that stands behind the Law? Again, lets look to the Boston Massacre as an example.
9 URBAN LIFE The main cities of Boston, New York, Philadelphia, were the center of communications, political transformation, and nation building. City economies reflected the radicalism of angry longshoremen, the rise of labor, and the increasing polarization within America. By 1765, the French and Indian War had brought tens of thousands of British soldiers, large payrolls, and new building. Immigration from Europe also increased in the cities. British trade was booming in North America. Between 1700 and 1774, exports from the colonies to Britain increased while exports from Britain to North America also soared. This economic growth reflected Britain’s Atlantic empire. It was then the emergence of these American cities as the focal point of political, economic, and legal contention
10 Seaport Mobs As the overall wealth increased for the rich, the farmers, laborers, longshoremen, and middle class wealth declined, which resulted in waterfront mobs that had its impact on everyday life. Also, several thousand longshoremen were discharged after the French and Indian War, as a result joblessness remained high. Tavern owners were also influential, because their waterfront businesses were the center of communication and colonial frustration. The Sons of Liberty and the Sons of Neptune were two such groups of angry longshoremen. In 1765, a letter signed by “The Sons of Neptune” threatened an attack on lower Manhattan’s Fort George if the Stamp Act was enforced locally.
11 Impressment During the years between 1760 and 1774, the practice of impressment increased to the concern of American longshoremen. Impressment into the Royal Navy was considered like a death sentence or forced into slavery Three out of four men who were pressed died within two years, and one in five was killed in battle. American longshoremen were not to supposed be impressed. However, British warships frequently ignored that constraint, especially around Boston.
12 Radical Middle Class The rise of city artisans and mechanics coincided with the emergence of a radical middle class contributed the transformation of urban politics. This urban radicalism therefore played a significant role in influencing the general population towards seeking independence. It was this common ground and centralized organization that made it possible for the colonies to communicate. It also led to the formation of the Continental Congress which was established as a means to establishing a declaration of independence from England.
13 Militia Were Formed It was the Militia’s importance that helped take control of local government across the thirteen colonies in 1774– 1775. These insurgents established the framework that eventually brought success in the War for Independence. The American rebels of 1775, enjoyed the rare benefit of beginning their war in control of the local armed forces and the colonial militias. The colonial militia did not simply slide into the Revolution, military officers, even where they were elected, held royal commissions, and a significant number of them were not enthusiastic about rebellion. Restructuring the militia was an important step toward revolution, one that deserves more attention than it has received.
14 Continental Congress The First Continental Congress specified that local committees were to be set up to enforce its provisions. This new Association of colonies was a vital link in transforming the colonial militia into a revolutionary organization. It effectively dissolved the old military structure and created a new one based on cooperation, by force if necessary. The new Revolutionary militia was similar to a draft board and a reserve training rather than a police force. This First Continental Congress endorsed the local Militias which forced Americans to commit themselves politically.
15 Britain wanted colonies as a source of revenue to finance its operations back home.As a result, the British decided to keep a standing army in America. This decision would lead to a variety of problems with the colonists. British leaders also felt the need to tighten control over their empire. From the British point of view, it was only right that American colonists should pay their fair share of the costs for their own defense. If additional revenue could also be realized through stricter control of navigation and trade, so much the better. Thus the British began their attempts to control the colonies. Summary
16 If you can read this quietly raise your handIf you can read this quietly raise your hand! Then I will know who is paying attention. When 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. We 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.