Legislating ObedienceLegislating Obedience1763-17751763-1775

What were the underlying causes of the What were the underlying causes of the American Revolution? Discuss issues American Revolution? Discuss issues concerning the frontier, free trade, concerning the frontier, free trade, stationing of British regulars, and stationing of British regulars, and

taxation.taxation.

Pontiac’s RebellionPontiac’s Rebellion

1763:Native Americans and European settlers renewed their bitter contest 1763:Native Americans and European settlers renewed their bitter contest for land. for land.

Colonists were continually looking for more land to settle while the Natives Colonists were continually looking for more land to settle while the Natives were desperately trying to preserve their hunting grounds. were desperately trying to preserve their hunting grounds.

The British, under the leadership of General Jeffery Amherst, cut off trade The British, under the leadership of General Jeffery Amherst, cut off trade to tribes like the Ottawa, Cherokee, and Algonquian.to tribes like the Ottawa, Cherokee, and Algonquian.

Natives who took up arms against the British began to starve, because Natives who took up arms against the British began to starve, because they no longer had any powder or guns to hunt with.they no longer had any powder or guns to hunt with.

Pontiac was an Ottawa Chief, an able leader, and an outstanding orator.Pontiac was an Ottawa Chief, an able leader, and an outstanding orator. NeolinNeolin: western Delaware visionary: Abstain from all intercourse with : western Delaware visionary: Abstain from all intercourse with

Europeans and relearn the ancient ways of hunting and manufacture they Europeans and relearn the ancient ways of hunting and manufacture they had forgotten.had forgotten.

Convinced that Native Americans had been corrupted by European goods: Convinced that Native Americans had been corrupted by European goods: Alcohol, called for an Indian alliance against the encroaching Europeans.Alcohol, called for an Indian alliance against the encroaching Europeans.

Pontiac worked tirelessly to form a native alliance to push the European Pontiac worked tirelessly to form a native alliance to push the European powers off the North American continent, save the French. (act as a powers off the North American continent, save the French. (act as a counter-balance to Britain)counter-balance to Britain)

Tribes that were once bitter enemies, were left with no choice, but to unite Tribes that were once bitter enemies, were left with no choice, but to unite or phase extinction: Delaware, Chippewa, Miami, Ottawa, Pottawatomie, or phase extinction: Delaware, Chippewa, Miami, Ottawa, Pottawatomie, Shawnee, Onondaga and Wyandot (Huron) tribes.Shawnee, Onondaga and Wyandot (Huron) tribes.

Pontiacs Rebellion Pontiacs Rebellion April 27,1763-1765April 27,1763-1765

Uprising stretched from the Susquehanna to the Mississippi Uprising stretched from the Susquehanna to the Mississippi and from northern Michigan to the Ohio Valley.and from northern Michigan to the Ohio Valley.

May 9, 1763:Pontiac began the siege of Fort Detroit.May 9, 1763:Pontiac began the siege of Fort Detroit. June 1763: Fort Pitt (strongest fort along western frontier) June 1763: Fort Pitt (strongest fort along western frontier)

invested.invested. All along the Colonial frontier, British forts began to fall All along the Colonial frontier, British forts began to fall

including Sandusky, St. Joseph, Miami, Ouiatenon, including Sandusky, St. Joseph, Miami, Ouiatenon, Michilimackinac, Edward Augustus, Venango, LeBoeuf, Michilimackinac, Edward Augustus, Venango, LeBoeuf, Presque Isle, Ligonier, Bedford.Presque Isle, Ligonier, Bedford.

By the beginning of July every British post west of Detroit By the beginning of July every British post west of Detroit had fallen to native warriors. had fallen to native warriors.

Colonial settlements from Carlisle, Pennsylvania to the back Colonial settlements from Carlisle, Pennsylvania to the back country of Virginia and North Carolina were under attack.country of Virginia and North Carolina were under attack.

British maintained control of the great posts, which served British maintained control of the great posts, which served as central distribution points including Pitt, Niagara, and as central distribution points including Pitt, Niagara, and Detroit.Detroit.

Failure of RebellionFailure of Rebellion Forts Pitt and Detroit should have fell. After the winter of 1764 Forts Pitt and Detroit should have fell. After the winter of 1764

both forts were low on food and had no hope of re-supply.both forts were low on food and had no hope of re-supply. Natives lifted siege not because of superior pressure from Natives lifted siege not because of superior pressure from

British forces, but because they had to resume hunting, or their British forces, but because they had to resume hunting, or their families would starve. families would starve.

Small Pox epidemic: Captain Simeon Ecuyer, commander of Small Pox epidemic: Captain Simeon Ecuyer, commander of Fort Pitt, gave two Delaware chiefs during a parley gifts, Fort Pitt, gave two Delaware chiefs during a parley gifts, including, liquor, and a bundle of blankets (2 of the blankets including, liquor, and a bundle of blankets (2 of the blankets and a handkerchief came from the fort’s smallpox hospital.and a handkerchief came from the fort’s smallpox hospital.

General Amherst, not yet knowing that Ecuyer had already put General Amherst, not yet knowing that Ecuyer had already put the theory into practice, replied that when Colonel Henry the theory into practice, replied that when Colonel Henry Bouquet reached the Ohio Valley he should try to spread the Bouquet reached the Ohio Valley he should try to spread the disease among the Indians by passing smallpox-infected disease among the Indians by passing smallpox-infected blankets among them. blankets among them.

Natives killed over 400 British regulars and over 2,000 Natives killed over 400 British regulars and over 2,000 colonists.colonists.

The British were directly responsible for death of tens of The British were directly responsible for death of tens of thousands of men, women, and children. thousands of men, women, and children.

Proclamation Line of 1763Proclamation Line of 1763 October 7, 1763:Royal decree designed to Native American territorial October 7, 1763:Royal decree designed to Native American territorial

integrity and political autonomy.integrity and political autonomy. Territory from the Great Lakes basin to Florida, and from the Mississippi to Territory from the Great Lakes basin to Florida, and from the Mississippi to

the western slope of the Appalachians was reserved for Natives’.the western slope of the Appalachians was reserved for Natives’. No colonial governments were to grant lands in this zone, no surveyors No colonial governments were to grant lands in this zone, no surveyors

were to operate there, and no negotiations were to be undertaken for were to operate there, and no negotiations were to be undertaken for purchase of Indian titles within it, except by crown directed officials.purchase of Indian titles within it, except by crown directed officials.

Colonials were forbidden to settle beyond the Appalachian ridge, and all Colonials were forbidden to settle beyond the Appalachian ridge, and all those presently living there were to remove themselves. those presently living there were to remove themselves.

Trading done by the colonials with the natives would now be regulated, Trading done by the colonials with the natives would now be regulated, taxed, and limited to those who had express permission from Crown taxed, and limited to those who had express permission from Crown representatives (William Johnson: North and John Stuart: South). Colonial representatives (William Johnson: North and John Stuart: South). Colonial governments would be excluded from the process.governments would be excluded from the process.

Infuriated colonial officials, colonial veterans promised land for service, Infuriated colonial officials, colonial veterans promised land for service, frontier farmers, and especially wealthy land speculators (Susquehanna frontier farmers, and especially wealthy land speculators (Susquehanna and Ohio Companies).and Ohio Companies).

““Not even a second Chinese wall, unless guarded by a million soldiers, Not even a second Chinese wall, unless guarded by a million soldiers, could prevent the settlement of lands on Ohio and its dependencies” could prevent the settlement of lands on Ohio and its dependencies” (1773).(1773).

Roll call of Virginia’s western speculators was also the roll call of Virginia Roll call of Virginia’s western speculators was also the roll call of Virginia revolutionaries: George Mason, Richard Henry Lee, George Washington, revolutionaries: George Mason, Richard Henry Lee, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Patrick Henry all had their “western dreams” dashed Thomas Jefferson, and Patrick Henry all had their “western dreams” dashed by Parliament. by Parliament.

TaxationTaxation The Seven Years’ War, cost the English a fortune. By 1763, the British The Seven Years’ War, cost the English a fortune. By 1763, the British

deficit had reached deficit had reached ££130 million.130 million. The average English consumer paid 1/3 of his income in taxes. The average English consumer paid 1/3 of his income in taxes. colonials were only taxed 5%, if at all.colonials were only taxed 5%, if at all. Parliament believed the North American colonies were in better shape to Parliament believed the North American colonies were in better shape to

carry the tax burden. carry the tax burden. Colonists would not have to pay to offset the war debt, but rather just pay Colonists would not have to pay to offset the war debt, but rather just pay

the cost of the 10,000 British troops stationed in America.the cost of the 10,000 British troops stationed in America. American Duties Act of 1764American Duties Act of 1764,(Americans: Sugar Act): Intended to make ,(Americans: Sugar Act): Intended to make

customs enforcement more effective, placed duties on widely consumed customs enforcement more effective, placed duties on widely consumed items: sugar, wine, linen, and silk.items: sugar, wine, linen, and silk.

Act protected colonial customs officials from suites filed by merchants. Act protected colonial customs officials from suites filed by merchants. Customs officials were freed from the threat of a counter suite, only had to Customs officials were freed from the threat of a counter suite, only had to prove probable cause of smuggling to search a ship.prove probable cause of smuggling to search a ship.

Vice Admiralty Courts: Local courts no longer heard the accuser's case, but Vice Admiralty Courts: Local courts no longer heard the accuser's case, but rather a Royalty appointed court heard the case. Courts would sit in Halifax rather a Royalty appointed court heard the case. Courts would sit in Halifax and Nova Scotia, to prevent judges being influenced by the mob.and Nova Scotia, to prevent judges being influenced by the mob.

Merchants and Ship Captains had to post up to a Merchants and Ship Captains had to post up to a ££2,000 bond, to insure 2,000 bond, to insure their compliance. Elaborate regimen of documentation was required before their compliance. Elaborate regimen of documentation was required before setting sail. Contents of cargo checked and sealed before leaving port. setting sail. Contents of cargo checked and sealed before leaving port. Upon arrival, the captain was required to show same checklist to custom Upon arrival, the captain was required to show same checklist to custom official in port of arrival to repeat the same process.official in port of arrival to repeat the same process.

Taxation: MercantilismTaxation: Mercantilism Traditionally, Madeira was directly imported from Traditionally, Madeira was directly imported from

the Portuguese Wine Islands, duty free, in the Portuguese Wine Islands, duty free, in exchange for wood products and fish. exchange for wood products and fish.

Duties Act now placed a prohibitive tax on direct Duties Act now placed a prohibitive tax on direct importation, it became cheaper to buy British importation, it became cheaper to buy British Madeira from British wholesalers.Madeira from British wholesalers.

In theory this would eliminate competition and In theory this would eliminate competition and drive prices up, equaling revenue for the Empire.drive prices up, equaling revenue for the Empire.

Tax on French West Indian Molasses cut in half Tax on French West Indian Molasses cut in half from 6 pence a gallon to 3 pence (6 to 7.5 million from 6 pence a gallon to 3 pence (6 to 7.5 million gallons imported each year). Designed so that it gallons imported each year). Designed so that it was cheaper to obey law than to break, with was cheaper to obey law than to break, with honest customs officials and stronger honest customs officials and stronger enforcement mechanisms, the British stood to enforcement mechanisms, the British stood to make a fortune.make a fortune.

Currency Act 1764Currency Act 1764 Served the purposes of London’s jittery merchants by Served the purposes of London’s jittery merchants by

forbidding colonial currencies from passing as legal tender.forbidding colonial currencies from passing as legal tender. Act initially aimed at Virginians, but soon encompassed all Act initially aimed at Virginians, but soon encompassed all

colonies south of New England. colonies south of New England. Overnight, the already hard hit colonial currency became Overnight, the already hard hit colonial currency became

worthless.worthless. No longer did the majority of the colonies have the means to No longer did the majority of the colonies have the means to

pay international or local debts, raise money for Indian pay international or local debts, raise money for Indian defense, or pay taxes.defense, or pay taxes.

This Act destroyed local trade closing some of Philadelphia's This Act destroyed local trade closing some of Philadelphia's strongest merchant houses such as Wharton and Morgan. Gary strongest merchant houses such as Wharton and Morgan. Gary Nash compared it to the collapse of Enron in 2001.Nash compared it to the collapse of Enron in 2001.

Not only affected merchants, but local artisans, like Boston Not only affected merchants, but local artisans, like Boston silversmith, Paul Revere, who no longer had a market for his silversmith, Paul Revere, who no longer had a market for his products.products.

Southerners who relied on credit to buy land, slaves, horses, Southerners who relied on credit to buy land, slaves, horses, and cows, lost everything when their creditors demanded and cows, lost everything when their creditors demanded payment.payment.

Stamp Act of 1765Stamp Act of 1765 Parliament placed new tax on over 50 items including: Parliament placed new tax on over 50 items including:

dice, playing cards, newspapers, marriage licenses, college dice, playing cards, newspapers, marriage licenses, college degrees, paper, contracts, and court documents.degrees, paper, contracts, and court documents.

Revenue from the sale of stamps would grow as the Revenue from the sale of stamps would grow as the colonies grew; legal actions, commercial transactions, and colonies grew; legal actions, commercial transactions, and newspaper publication would all increase in close relation to newspaper publication would all increase in close relation to the growth of America’s population and prosperity.the growth of America’s population and prosperity.

Tax would be fair to every colonist rich or poor, the more Tax would be fair to every colonist rich or poor, the more you bought the more you paid and vice versa.you bought the more you paid and vice versa.

Royal agents hired prominent colonials to act as stamp Royal agents hired prominent colonials to act as stamp masters (Benjamin Franklin: Pennsylvania). masters (Benjamin Franklin: Pennsylvania).

Law affected colonial printers and lawyers the most, who Law affected colonial printers and lawyers the most, who naturally passed the cost onto their customers and clients naturally passed the cost onto their customers and clients respectively.respectively.

Those who were buying property also felt the burden of the Those who were buying property also felt the burden of the tax.tax.

The Quartering Act of 1765The Quartering Act of 1765 Forbade British military commanders to quarter Forbade British military commanders to quarter

troops in private homes; but empowered colonial troops in private homes; but empowered colonial governors to take over vacant houses, barns, and governors to take over vacant houses, barns, and outbuildings and turn them into temporary outbuildings and turn them into temporary barracks.barracks.

Act also required population to provide firewood, Act also required population to provide firewood, bedding, candles, salt, vinegar, cooking utensils, bedding, candles, salt, vinegar, cooking utensils, and a daily ration of cider beer, or rum.and a daily ration of cider beer, or rum.

Soldiers only had to pay for their food in inns, ½ Soldiers only had to pay for their food in inns, ½ price at ferry crossings, and free firewood.price at ferry crossings, and free firewood.

All of these had a market price, every innkeeper, All of these had a market price, every innkeeper, townsmen, and ferrymen lost money when townsmen, and ferrymen lost money when accommodating the King’s Soldiers (In a sense accommodating the King’s Soldiers (In a sense this was a tax).this was a tax).

The Townshend Act: 1767The Townshend Act: 1767 Further taxation on paper, lead, paint, and tea.Further taxation on paper, lead, paint, and tea. Unlike previous taxation policies, which were aimed at paying war Unlike previous taxation policies, which were aimed at paying war

debts and the quartering of troops in North America.debts and the quartering of troops in North America. Townshend Duties would pay the salaries of Colonial governors, Townshend Duties would pay the salaries of Colonial governors,

custom officials, and judges.custom officials, and judges. Significant because colonial assemblies stood to loose their hard Significant because colonial assemblies stood to loose their hard

won “power of the purse-strings” as political leverage against won “power of the purse-strings” as political leverage against salaried crown appointees.salaried crown appointees.

Board of Customs Commission: Purpose to enforce taxation policy Board of Customs Commission: Purpose to enforce taxation policy in colonial ports such as Boston. in colonial ports such as Boston.

Prior to 1767, it was fairly easy to bribe custom officials, however Prior to 1767, it was fairly easy to bribe custom officials, however the Townshend Act entitled any custom official who discovered a the Townshend Act entitled any custom official who discovered a smuggling ring:1/3 of the seizure. smuggling ring:1/3 of the seizure.

Smugglers and merchants were enraged by this new Act which cut Smugglers and merchants were enraged by this new Act which cut into their profits, a large part of which was illegal (John Hancock’s: into their profits, a large part of which was illegal (John Hancock’s: LibertyLiberty seized in Boston, 1768). seized in Boston, 1768).

John Hancock: wealthy merchant and popular smuggler: wine, John Hancock: wealthy merchant and popular smuggler: wine, paper, tea, and silk.paper, tea, and silk.

Tea Act of 1773Tea Act of 1773 Tea Act was an attempt by Parliament to Tea Act was an attempt by Parliament to

resuscitate the nearly bankrupt East India resuscitate the nearly bankrupt East India Company.Company.

Given Monopoly on the American tea Given Monopoly on the American tea business.business.

Permitted to ship tea directly to North Permitted to ship tea directly to North America, paying no import duties, America, paying no import duties, theoretically eliminating English and theoretically eliminating English and American middlemen by under selling them. American middlemen by under selling them.

American merchants had been smuggling American merchants had been smuggling Dutch tea into the colonies for years.Dutch tea into the colonies for years.

Various segments of American society Various segments of American society disgusted with British tyranny. disgusted with British tyranny.

Coercive Acts of 1774Coercive Acts of 1774“Intolerable Acts”“Intolerable Acts”

Boston Harbor closed: cutting off city from food, medical Boston Harbor closed: cutting off city from food, medical supplies, and numerous other goods.supplies, and numerous other goods.

Government ActGovernment Act: annulled the colonial charter no more : annulled the colonial charter no more elections, appointed by colonial governor. Town meetings elections, appointed by colonial governor. Town meetings to once a year and only under governor supervision.to once a year and only under governor supervision.

New Quartering ActNew Quartering Act: Allowed for soldiers to be billeted in : Allowed for soldiers to be billeted in Colonial homes.Colonial homes.

Administration of Justice ActAdministration of Justice Act: Permitted crown officials : Permitted crown officials accused of a crime to be tried outside of the colonies.accused of a crime to be tried outside of the colonies.

The Quebec ActThe Quebec Act: Declared all land west of the Ohio River : Declared all land west of the Ohio River part of British Quebec. Many colonists just fought a war to part of British Quebec. Many colonists just fought a war to keep the French out of the Ohio River Valley. keep the French out of the Ohio River Valley.

The Quebec Act also was fiercely offended Protestant New The Quebec Act also was fiercely offended Protestant New Englanders because it guaranteed Catholic Canadians the Englanders because it guaranteed Catholic Canadians the right to worship freely.right to worship freely.