The Road to the American Revolution

Causes

• Enlightenment Political Ideology

• The French and Indian War

• Taxation (without representation)

The Enlightenment

CopernicusGalileo Newton

Enlightenment Political Science

John Locke

The Social Contract

The Enlightenment and American Colonists

Puritans in Massachusetts

The Enlightenment and American Colonists

Catholics in Maryland

The Enlightenment and American Colonists

Secondand

Third Sons

The Enlightenment and American Colonists

Paroled Prisoners and DebtorsIn Georgia

The Enlightenment and American Colonists

Scots-Irish

The Enlightenment and American Colonists

Quakers and

Germans in

Pennsylvania

A history of constitutional law and self-government

1215—The Magna Carta

A history of constitutional law and self-government

1619—The Virginia House of Burgesses

A history of constitutional law and self-government

1620—The Mayflower Compact

150 years of ‘salutary neglect’

• A history of religious tolerance– Massachusetts Charter of 1691– The Great Awakening– Quaker revival

• A history of literacy and free speech– Puritans established schools– Harvard, William and Mary, Yale– Poor Richard’s Almanac– John Peter Zenger and freedom of the press

Enlightenment Political Thinking

1. Fundamental God-given rights and the social contract (John Locke)

2. Colonists who came from disaffected groups (Puritans, Primogeniture, Prisoners, Poor)

3. A history of constitutional law and self-government (Magna Carta, Representative Assemblies, Mayflower Compact)

4. A history of freedom of religion, speech, and the press

5. A history of education and literacy

Causes

• Enlightenment Political Ideology

• The French and Indian War

• Taxation (without representation)

The French and Indian War1754-1763

Colonel George WashingtonVirginia Militia, British Army

Fort Necessity

Washington forced to surrender

British defeats indicate they can be beaten

War debt—pounds and promises

William Pitt

Effects of the Treaty of Paris• England gains French territory in N. America

• Indians lose French support against English colonists

• Pontiac begins attacking English settlements. While he is eventually defeated—lasting tension between indians and English colonists remains in the region

The Proclamation of 1763• No settlement allowed west of Appalachians

• Convinced Americans that their government was insensitive to their needs

• Convinced Americans that their government could not enforce its orders

• 10,000 British troops left in colonies for “protection”—to be paid for by the colonists

The French and Indian War1754-1763

• Part of a world war

• British win in North America

• French disappear as a threat to colonists

• Raises doubts in America about England

• Raises doubts and debts in England

Causes

• Enlightenment Political Ideology

• The French and Indian War

• Taxation (without representation)

1763-1775A Series of Unfortunate Events

Cause Effect Cause Effect

Action Reaction Action Reaction

Cause: Sugar Act of 1764• Taxed imported molasses• Prohibited imported rum• Required a clearance certificate for cargoes of

both• Stiffened penalties for bribing customs officials• Gave blanket probable cause for seizure

Effect: Protests and Boycotts

Cause: Quartering Act and Stamp Act of 1765

Effect: Stamp Act Congress and the Sons of Liberty

Colonists maintain clear, consistent position--

only colonial assemblies have right to tax them

because they have no representation in Parliament

Effect: Stamp Act Repealed

Cause: Declaratory and Townshend Acts (1766,1767)

Effect: Massachusetts Colonial Assembly calls colonies to

“unite for the common defense”

Effect: Assembly dissolved andJohn Hancock’s ship seized

Effect: Tax Officials Chased Away, Troops Called In

John Adams

Cause: Declaratory and Townshend Acts (1766,1767)

Townshend Acts Dissolve AssemblyCall to Arms

Chase away commissioners

Call for troops(1768)

Boston Massacre

(1770)

Lord North takes over from

Lord Townshend

Lord NorthLord Townshend

Gaspee Incident 1772

The Boston Tea Party--1773

1st Continental Congress1774

The Suffolk Resolves

• Denounced the Intolerable Acts

• Urged the formation of minutemen

• Called for suspension of trade with Britain

Lexington and Concord--1775