Road to Revolution

Section 4.1

Main Idea

• A series of increasingly restrictive laws angered many American colonists, leading to rebellion against Britain.

The King Needs $• After the French and

Indian War, the British need money.

• Parliament authorizes a series of taxes that are applied to the colonists.

• After a century of salutary neglect the 13 colonies feel overwhelmed by these new laws.

New Laws

• Sugar Act: tax on sugar damaged the colonial rum industry.

• Stamp Act: a tax must be paid on all documents (newspapers, sermons, contracts). The document must show the stamp indicating the tax was paid.

New Laws• Quartering Act: gave

British soldiers the right to take the homes of colonists.

• Townshend Acts: taxes on paint, lead, tea, etc.

Colonial Reaction• The colonists reacted both

nonviolently and violently.• A boycott was organized

against goods that came from England.

• This hurt English merchants, who put pressure on leaders to repeal the laws.

• The Stamp Act was repealed, but new taxes followed.

• Most of the early protests came from New England

• Many colonists organized for the resistance against the UK.

• The Sons of Liberty were created by Samuel Adams; they would attack tax collectors, and began hiding weapons for a potential conflict.

Tarred and Feathered

Boston Massacre?• In 1770 a mob of colonists approached a few

British soldiers in Boston.• The mob began throwing snowballs and rocks

at the soldiers, who opened fire.• 5 colonists died! (Were the soldiers justified?)• Word of the incident travelled through all 13

colonies (and became greatly exaggerated) thanks to a communication system set up called the Committees of Correspondence.

Boston Massacre

Boston Tea Party

• 1773: To protest the Tea tax, a group of colonists boarded a British ship in Boston.

• They threw thousands of dollars worth of tea into the sea.

• This bold act of rebellion was meant get the UK to repeal the tax, instead the British were furious and sent additional troops to the 13 colonies.

Boston Tea Party

More New Laws!• In addition to more troops, the British created

more taxes and laws.• Intolerable Acts: closed Boston harbor,

accused trials in UK• Quebec Act: Land prohibited to the 13

colonies (Proclamation of 1763) was now given to the people of Quebec.

Colonists Unite• In 1774 representatives of the 13 colonies finally

gather together in Philadelphia.• The First Continental Congress issued a

Declaration of Rights, which politely informed the British that the colonies were entitled to their “natural rights”.

• The delegates at the 1st CC were mixed in their opinions, very few spoke of independence.

• Attendees: George Washington, Patrick Henry, John and Samuel Adams, John Jay

Philadelphia

Shot Heard ‘Round the World • Despite the CC attempts to settle the disputes

peacefully, the militia of Massachusetts were preparing for a possible war.

• These militia were nicknames minutemen, because the they could be ready to fight quickly in case of a UK attack.

• The UK commander heard of their activities, and in 1775 he marched 700 UK troops toward the site of militia activities, Concord.

The Regulars are Coming!

• The minutemen were prepared and riders galloped through the night to alert the colonists.

• Paul Revere was captured, but any others spread the news.

• By morning, the British troops were halfway to Concord, at a place called Lexington.

Ride of Paul Revere

Shot Heard ‘Round the World• In Lexington the British

were met by 70 armed colonists.

• The UK General ordered them to put down their guns, and leave the road.

• The Minutemen refused, and fighting ensued.

• The British regulars easily won, but Lexington marks the first battle of the American Revolution.

• The British continued toward Concord, when they arrived hundreds of militia laid waiting.

Concord• The Patriots thrashed the

“Redcoats”, and the UK Army scattered and retreated.

• The road back to Boston was 20 miles long, and the Americans used guerilla tactics and snipers to harass the British.

• The American Revolution began at Lexington, but victory was not assured. Many colonists were still loyal to Britain.

To Be Continued….