The American Revolution

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I. British imperial policy changed after the Great War for Empire in 1763.

A. One problem that came out of the French and Indian War was the deep-seated
differences about discipline between British officers and colonial troops.
B. The British sent 10,000 troops to North America after 1763 to protect the colonies.

1. The British feared that the French colonists in Canada might rebel.
2. The British wanted to prevent the American colonists from rebelling.
3. They (British) were trying to enforce the Proclamation of 1763.
4. The British were trying to prevent Indian uprisings.

C. After 1763, George Grenville changed British policy.

1. The change that caused the biggest distress for the colonists was the end of salutary
neglect.
2. The British also expected the colonists to pay part if their own defense costs.
3. British laws to raise revenue.

a. The Sugar Act (1764)

1. It allowed colonists to trade with the French West Indies but put a 3-pense
tax on molasses from there.
2. It was designed to reduce Britains war debt.
3. Violators (smugglers) would be prosecuted in vice-admiralty courts.

b. The Stamp Act (1763) caused an uproar because it was a direct tax.

1. It was part of Britains plan to create a more centralized system in North
America.
2. Violators will be tried in vice-admiralty courts which caused the colonists to
complain that the right to trial by jury was being taken away.
3. Colonists said that only their elected legislatures can pass a direct tax.
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a. No taxation without representation.
b. Parliament said all colonists were virtually represented

4. Colonists protested against the stamp act

a. They organized the Stamp Act Congress which protested to Parliament
the loss of rights
b. The Sons of Liberty harassed tax collectors and rioted
c. The Daughters of Liberty made and wore homemade clothes.
d. The Americans boycotted

5. Colonial protests especially the boycott caused British colonies to support
the colonists because of reduced sales.

II. The Troubled 1770s

A. Violence in Boston

1. On March 5, 1770, British troops opened fired and killed 5 colonists.
2. The British troops were defended by John Adams and received light punishment.

B. Samuel Adams started the Committees of correspondence in 1772 to spread
propaganda and keep opposition to the British alive.
C. Parliament passed the tea act in 1773

1. The purpose was to help out the British East India Company
2. The colonists thought Parliament was trying to be sneaky and get around their views
on taxation.
3. Tea Parties took place in several port cities.
4. Parliament passed the coercive acts as a response to the Boston Tea Party.
a. The Boston Port Act Closed the harbor until debts repaid for the tea.
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b. The Massachusetts Government Act Revoked the Massachusetts charter so
no more town meetings.
c. The new Quartering Act
d. The Administration of Justive Act Moves trials of British officials to England
e. Quebec Act Gives land to French Catholics and recognizes Catholicism as the
official religion of Quebec

D. The colonists responded to the coercive acts by calling the first continental congress.
1. Demanded the repeal of the coercive acts.
2. Halted imports from England.
3. Refused to accept the Declaratory Act.
4. Threatened to stop exports to Britain.

III. War

A. The first shots were fired at Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775.
B. The Second Continental Congress met May of 1775.

1. They were trying to decide what to do.
2. Its most important action was choosing George Washington to command American
troops.
3. It was divided over the issue of independence.
4. Even after Bunker Hill, congress issued the Olive Branch Petition.

C. The Battle of Bunker (Breeds Hill) in June 1775 played a pivotal role for independence.
1. George III declared the colonies to be an open rebellion.
2. He hired mercenaries to fight the colonists.

D. Common Sense, written by Thomas Paine, was published in January of 1776.
1. It influenced colonial opinion.
2. He urged the colonies to declare independence and form a republican style of
government.
Intolerable Acts All 5 of them
Coercive Acts 4 of them, not
including the Quebec Act.
Also agreed to meet again.
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E. Independence announced July 4, 1776

1. Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence to Justify independence by
blaming the king for the damaged relations.
2. It included a list of grievances and a new theory of government.

F. Support for war

1. Slaves fought on both sides promised freedom by Lord Dunmore.
2. Native Americans fought on both sides.
3. Loyalists supported by Quakers, many in NY, Anglican ministers.
4. Patriots Were supported by the colonists, especially in New England. As the war
went on, farmers increased support due to taxes and having sons forced into British
army.

G. Campaigns

1. The war started in New England 1776-77
2. 2
nd
Stage was in the Middle Atlantic states The British were content that their
superior numbers and tactics would lead to a colonial surrender.
3. Final stage the South.

H. Foreign aid was crucial to American victory.

1. The French wanted revenge for losing Canada in the French and Indian war.
2. France only supported the Americans after the Battle of Saratoga in October 1777.
3. The French supplied ammunition, supplies, troops, money, and their navy.

IV. American Victory

A. The final battle was Yorktown in 1781, but fighting continued.
B. The Treaty of Paris (1783) ended the war.
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1. The 13 colonies were given independence.
2. The US was given the land to the Mississippi River.
3. The US was allowed fishing rights off Newfoundland
4. Americans agreed to repay debts to British merchants and to encourage the states
to return confiscated Loyalist property.