Imperial and Local Origins of the American Revolution

1
Imperial and Local Origins of the American
Revolution

• Events, Ideas, Turning Points, 1689-1776

2
Imperial Origins

• Mercantilism
• Self Government
• Imperial Rivalries

3
Mercantilism

• Imperial Self Sufficiency
• Closed Economic System
• Codified and Enforced through Navigation Acts

4
Self Government

• Royal Governors were often absentees
• Lower Houses of Assembly wielded a great deal of
  power
• Heritage of Rule of Law (1689 Bill of Rights,
  English Rights and Liberties)
• Power of the Purse

5
Imperial Rivalries

• European Wars for Balance of Power beginning in
  1689 had an imperial component
• By French and Indian War (1754-1763), struggle is
  between England and France for global imperial
  hegemony
• England wins, but at a huge cost

6
Experiential Origins

• Robert Walpole and Salutary Neglect
• New Imperial Policy and George Grenville
• Actions and Perceptions of George III

7
Robert Walpole

• First Minister , 1721-1742
• Salutary Neglectfew Navigation Acts Enforced
• Ties to crown made him a symbol of corruption

8
New Imperial Policy

• George Grenville
• Single Economic System
• Colonies to pay a portion of their administration
  and governance costs
• New Navigation Actslower rates, better
  enforcement

• Sugar Act, 1764
• Proclamation of 1763
• Not Well Received in the Colonies

9
George III1760-1820

• Really was trying to restore balance between
  crown and commons
• Image of tyrant is creature of colonial
  disappointment, not what he did

• Challenge of finding a good first minister

10
Ideological OriginsWhy the Colonies Responded
the Way that They Did

• Habit of Self-Government
• Construction of English History
• Whig Theory (Corruption)link of Sugar Act with
  Act for the Encouragement of Officers Making
  Seizures

11
How They Responded

• Stamp Act Congressno taxation without
  representation boycott, Sons of Liberty 1765
• After Townshend Duties--John Dickensons Letters
  from a Farmer in Pennsylvaniatax to regulate
  trade but not for revenue 1767
• East India Company CrisisBoston Tea Party 1773

12
How the Brits RespondedCoercive Acts

• Boston Port Act
• Act for the Impartial Administration of Justice
• Quartering Act
• Massachusetts Government Act
• Quebec Actillustrative of Colonial Paranoia

13
First Continental Congress-1774

• Declaration of American Rightstax to regulate
  not to raise revenue.
• Continental Association (enforce boycott)
• Rejected Galloways Plan of Union
• Anything new here?

14
First Continental Congress
15
Lexington and Concord

• Paul Reveres Ride
• April 19, 1775Lexington Green
• Concord, the Shot heard round the world.

16
Timing of Independence

• Ideology didnt evolve much since 1765
• Colonies lost faith in GIIIwhy the declaration
  is directed against himhe moved to crush the
  Wilkites in England and was no longer the father
  of his people.

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Ralph Waldo EmersonRevolution and Memory
By this rude bridge that arched the flood, Their
Flag to April's breeze unfurled, Here the
embattled farmers stood And fired the Shot heard
'round the World.
18
Independence?

• Battle of Bunker Hillno doubt that colonies are
  at war
• Olive Branch Petition
• Declaration of the Causes and Necessity of Taking
  Up Arms
• George III declares colonies in rebellion on
  August 22, 1775.

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Independence Declared

• Thomas Paines Common Sense
• Lee Resolution
• Jeffersons Declaration
• Independence Declared