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In America, conflict with Indians continued.  From 1763 to 1766, The Ottawa Indians destroyed every Brit post west of Niagara.

In America, conflict with Indians continued.  From 1763 to 1766, The Ottawa Indians destroyed every Brit post west of Niagara.

Thus, when a new prime minister gained power, England was deeply in debt, and very tired of war.  The new prime minister was George Grenville who came into power in 1763.  England was very deep in debt after the wars in the colonies, and her citizens were already heavily taxed.  So Grenville turned to the colonies as the means to raise enough revenue to free England from debt.  England felt that the colonists hadn’t paid their fair share of the war expenses.  To keep from spending any more money, England was eager to make peace with the Indians and stop fighting.  It passed the Proclamation Act of 1763, forbidding colonists from settling west of Appalachians and forcing them to stop buying land from Indians.  The logic behind the Proclamation Act was that as long as the colonists stayed in the colonies and had nothing to do with Indians, there would be peace.  Little did the British know that peace would not last for long in the colonies, and that when war did break out, it would be against them.  

Thus, when a new prime minister gained power, England was deeply in debt, and very tired of war.  The new prime minister was George Grenville who came into power in 1763.  England was very deep in debt after the wars in the colonies, and her citizens were already heavily taxed.  So Grenville turned to the colonies as the means to raise enough revenue to free England from debt.  England felt that the colonists hadn’t paid their fair share of the war expenses.  To keep from spending any more money, England was eager to make peace with the Indians and stop fighting.  It passed the Proclamation Act of 1763, forbidding colonists from settling west of Appalachians and forcing them to stop buying land from Indians.  The logic behind the Proclamation Act was that as long as the colonists stayed in the colonies and had nothing to do with Indians, there would be peace.  Little did the British know that peace would not last for long in the colonies, and that when war did break out, it would be against them.  

In 1770, the [[British Empire]] was the greatest in the world, and it continued to grow in power through the 1800s.  The idea that 13 different colonies with tiny armies and a divided populations - a large percentage of which were pacifist Quakers - could defeat the mighty British would have been absurd in 1770.  But this unlikely victory came true.  The story of this epic struggle for freedom is the story of the American Revolution.

In 1770, the [[British Empire]] was the greatest in the world, and it continued to grow in power through the 1800s.  The idea that 13 different colonies with tiny armies and a divided populations - a large percentage of which were pacifist Quakers - could defeat the mighty British would have been absurd in 1770.  But this unlikely victory came true.  The story of this epic struggle for freedom is the story of the American Revolution.

Years before war broke out, tension was growing between England and her colonies.  King George III controlled parliament much more than preceding monarchs, and his changes facilitated attempts to gain additional revenue from the colonies.  This was accomplished through higher taxes and restrictive trade laws which oppressed the colonies.  We’ve already discussed the institution of the Proclamation Act, but not it’s consequences.

Years before war broke out, tension was growing between England and her colonies.  King George III controlled parliament much more than preceding monarchs, and his changes facilitated attempts to gain additional revenue from the colonies.  This was accomplished through higher taxes and restrictive trade laws which oppressed the colonies.  We’ve already discussed the institution of the Proclamation Act, but not its consequences.

The Proclamation Act was a terrible problem for the colonies.  90% of the colonial economy involved farming in 1763.  Farmers needed land to grow valuable crops of tobacco, corn, rice, indigo, and wheat, but the Proclamation Act confined them to the land they already had in the colonies.  The other 10% of the economy involved fishing & whaling in New England and timber, but the overwhelming majority of colonists were farmers, and the Proclamation Act was detrimental to their growth.

The Proclamation Act was a terrible problem for the colonies.  90% of the colonial economy involved farming in 1763.  Farmers needed land to grow valuable crops of tobacco, corn, rice, indigo, and wheat, but the Proclamation Act confined them to the land they already had in the colonies.  The other 10% of the economy involved fishing & whaling in New England and timber, but the overwhelming majority of colonists were farmers, and the Proclamation Act was detrimental to their growth.

The situation was similar to today’s problem with new Israeli settlements in areas claimed by Palestinians.  Like the Israeli settlers, colonists were angry at this restriction, and ignored it.

The situation was similar to today’s problem with new Israeli settlements in areas claimed by Palestinians.  Like the Israeli settlers, colonists were angry at this restriction, and ignored it.

Now that a new Prime Minister was in power who wanted peace, and wanted the colonies to pay its share of the war costs., Prime Minister Grenville started taxing colonists, and enforcing the taxes strictly.  He taxed sugar, then prohibited colonies from issuing paper currency.

Now that a new Prime Minister was in power who wanted peace, and wanted the colonies to pay their share of the war costs, colonists were burdened by strictly enforced taxes.  Prime minister George Grenville taxed sugar, then prohibited colonies from issuing paper currency.

 

 

He humiliated the colonists with legal intrusions: writs of assistance to search businesses without a court order or warrant.  He violated ancient rights.  He passed the Quartering Act to require colonists to house British troops at their own expense.

In Massachusetts, Sam Adams created the Sons of Liberty during July 1765.  This group strongly protested the Stamp Act and forced British-appointed stamp agent Andrew Oliver to resign.

Colonists disliked these events, but only with the passage of the [[Stamp Act]] did they become truly angry.  The Stamp Act was an undisguised attempt to bring the British more money, the first time Parliament directly taxed the colonies.  It required that printed materials, like newspapers, bear stamps showing that coin tax had been paid.  The public, and especially the media, was outraged.  This sparked the colonies to meet with each other in the Stamp Act Congress, which was attended by 9 colonies.  Riots broke out, and colonists boycotted the tax and British goods.

Colonists strongly opposed the Stamp Act’s direct (internal) taxation.  If the Act were not odious enough in its own right, the fact that it came during a time of weak economy threatened to injure the colonies more deeply.  The outrage united colonists, for the Stamp Act affected every colony and every citizen.  They shared the injury of a common grievance, and had a common cause to work towards.

Foolishly, the British government had appointed colonists to sell the stamps, imagining that intimidation would persuade them to sell stamps as the government required.  Instead, they simply didn't sell stamps, and the colonies kept doing business without them.  Realizing that it had underestimated the colonies, Britain repealed the Stamp Act in 1766 but passed the Declaratory Act asserting right to legislate for colonies in future.

Foolishly, the British government had appointed colonists to sell the stamps, imagining that intimidation would persuade them to sell stamps as the government required.  Instead, they simply didn't sell stamps, and the colonies kept doing business without them.  Realizing that it had underestimated the colonies, Britain repealed the Stamp Act in 1766 but passed the Declaratory Act asserting right to legislate for colonies in future.

The colonists developed a strong argument against England’s oppression:  taxation without representation.  Britain said colonists had “virtual” representation.  Colonists said adequate representation was impossible because England is so far away.

The colonists developed a strong argument against England’s oppression:  taxation without representation.  Britain said colonists had “virtual” representation.  Colonists said adequate representation was impossible because England is so far away.

The Townshend Acts were the next crisis caused by the British government, taxing the colonists' imports.  

'''Debate''': should England have been able to impose direct taxes on the colonies?  

In 1770, in what became known as the "Boston Massacre,"  British troops shot and killed a colonial mob for throwing snowballs (with rocks in them) at them.  (The future President John Adams then served as the defense attorney for the British soldiers, and obtained "not guilty" (acquittal) verdicts for them because they were provoked into shooting.)

In 1770, in what became known as the "Boston Massacre,"  British troops shot and killed a colonial mob for throwing snowballs (with rocks in them) at them.  (The future President John Adams then served as the defense attorney for the British soldiers, and obtained "not guilty" (acquittal) verdicts for them because they were provoked into shooting.)

There was relative calm from 1770 to 1773.  But even during this calm period, Rhode Island smugglers burned the British ship Gaspee in 1772.   

There was relative calm from 1770 to 1773.  But the clam was not complete, broken most notably by the Gaspee incident in 1772.  The Gaspee was a British ship which ran aground which chasing smugglers.  Citizens of Rhode Island boarded the ship and burned her, to the King’s great outrage.

 

During this period of calm, Samuel Adams established another organization: the Committee of Correspondence.  This group, and others like it throughout the colonies shared information on the British’s activities in the colonies.   

The British next passed the Tea Act of 1773.  A large British tea company, the East India Company, lobbied for and obtained [[monopoly]] (exclusive) rights from the England.  The East India Company had a huge inventory of tea and received an exception from the tea tax and proceeded to import this huge inventory to Boston Harbor, where it would undersell colonial merchants.  The Puritans of Massachusetts were outraged.  They tried to have the tea turned back to England, but the royally-appointed governor refused.  Led by Samuel Adams, a group of colonists disguised themselves as Indians and boarded the ship.  They dumped all of its tea into Boston Harbor; the task took an entire night.

Thus, although conflicts diminished somewhat from 1770 to 1773, colonists retained their opposition to British oppression.  The tea tax remained in effect, so many colonists refused to drink British tea, and once again, their boycott was felt in England.

As further punishment, Britain passed the Coercive Acts, or the Intolerable Acts.  They revoked Massachusetts’ charter, closed Boston Harbor, installed a British general as governor, and repealed liberties like the right to hold town meetings.   

Bent on destroying the colonists’ boycott of English tea, England next passed the Tea Act of 1773.  A large British tea company, the East India Company, lobbied for and obtained [[monopoly]] (exclusive) rights from the England.  The East India Company had a huge inventory of tea and received an exception from the tea tax.  The Company proceeded to import tea from this huge inventory to Boston Harbor, where it planned to undersell colonial merchants.  The Puritans of Massachusetts were outraged.  They tried to have the tea turned back to England, but the royally-appointed governor refused.  On December 16, 1773, a group of colonists led by Samuel Adams disguised themselves as Indians and boarded the tea ships.  They dumped all of its tea into Boston Harbor.  The task took an entire night, as the ships contained 350 chests of tea.  That tea was worth about 1.87 million dollars of today’s currency.

The British also passed the Quebec Act, which gave the Canadians part of the Ohio Valley.  This infuriated the colonists.  In addition, the Act gave the French more freedoms, such as freedom of religion for the Catholic Church.  Colonists were angered because (1) they felt people in Quebec were getting more freedoms than they had and (2) they feared establishment of an Anglican Church in America.

 

The British also passed the Quebec Act, which gave Canadians part of the Ohio Valley.  This infuriated the colonists.  In addition, the Act gave the French more freedoms, such as freedom of religion for the Catholic Church.  Colonists were angered because (1) they felt people in Quebec were getting more freedoms than they had and (2) they feared establishment of an Anglican Church in America.

The [[First Continental Congress]] was held in 1774. Every Colony except Georgia agreed to disobey Coercive Acts, withhold taxes, cut trade, and arm their people.  Their agreement is recorded in the Declaration of Rights and Grievances by John Adams.  Then the Continental Congress sent a petition to George III asking him to repeal his regulations and vowing that the colonies would boycott British goods.

The [[First Continental Congress]] was held in 1774. Every Colony except Georgia agreed to disobey Coercive Acts, withhold taxes, cut trade, and arm their people.  Their agreement is recorded in the Declaration of Rights and Grievances by John Adams.  Then the Continental Congress sent a petition to George III asking him to repeal his regulations and vowing that the colonies would boycott British goods.

But conflict began to break out on a small scale.  The "Green Mountain Boys" captured Fort Ticonderoga in 1775 because Ethan Allen wanted to protect his land holdings in a disputed area that became Vermont.  

Although the Congress had hoped to keep peace, conflict began to break out.

 

 

 

 

[[Paul Revere]] then went on his famous midnight ride to alert the colonists.  They were ready.  After years of conflict, war finally began.  At Lexington, just 75 colonists faced several hundred British soldiers.  When the British ordered the colonists to disperse, eight colonists were killed and ten were wounded in the ensuing chaos.

 

The British troops continued to Concord.  Here a larger number of colonists attacked them and routed them back to Lexington.  Only 93 colonists died in comparison to 275 British soldiers.  The British were narrowly saved by the arrival of reinforcements.

 

Shortly thereafter, the "Green Mountain Boys" captured Fort Ticonderoga in 1775 because Ethan Allen wanted to protect his land holdings in a disputed area that became Vermont.  

That and other conflicts brought the colonies together in 1775 for The [[Second Continental Congress]] with a single purpose: to prepare for war.  The Congress instituted paper money and named George Washington head of [[Continental Army]], which he governed during the Revolution.  As a last attempt for peace, they sent the "Olive Branch petition" to the King.  He refused to even receive the petition.  War was inevitable.

That and other conflicts brought the colonies together in 1775 for The [[Second Continental Congress]].  They realized that hope for peace was foolish now.  It was time to prepare for war.  The Congress instituted paper money and named George Washington head of [[Continental Army]], which he governed during the Revolution.  As a last attempt for peace, they sent the "Olive Branch petition" to the King.  He refused to even receive the petition.  War was inevitable.

The British commander in charge of America, General [[Thomas Gage]], decided to march by surprise from Boston to Concord to seize a storehouse of rebel guns and ammo, and maybe arrest some leaders.

In January of 1776 [[Thomas Paine]]’s pamphlet called [[Common Sense]] argued against divine rule and economic reasons to stay with Britain, in plain language.  Often written books or pamphlets were a bigger force than military battles, and this was overwhelming true in this case.  Every literate adult read Common Sense, and Paine’s argument gave countless colonists the courage to realize that separation from Britain was necessary and attainable.

During the winter of 1777 Washington quartered his troops in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.  The winter was filled with suffering.  The troops lacked supplies and many died of starvation and cold.  But the training the troops received during this time was invaluable.  Prussian Baron Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben drilled the troops throughout the winter, and his expertise may well have aided in turning the tide against the British.

On July 4, 1776 the Declaration of Independence of Independence was formally announced.  It declares that all men are created equal, having natural inalienable rights.  The colonies’ many grievances against the crown were listed.  It argued that government is a social compact and rebellion is justified when the government break its end of the bargain.  This logic was borrowed from the philosophy of John Locke.  But perhaps the most important part of the Declaration was its frequent invocation of God.  Our nation was founded on God’s providence and truth.  

[[Paul Revere]] then went on his famous midnight ride to alert the colonists.  They were ready.  After years of conflict, war finally began.

Still, the colonies had very small troops, especially since one third of the population was loyal to Britain.  Washington’s army was composed of just 18,000 men, less than a third the size of attendance at Giants Stadium.  The British won early battles at [[Bunker Hill]] in Boston, in Canada, and in New York.  The colonies started winning on Christmas Eve in Trenton in 1776, then later at Princeton.   

Jan. 1776: [[Thomas Paine]]’s [[Common Sense]] pamphlet argued against divine rule and economic reasons to stay w/ Britain, in plain language.  Often written books or pamphlets were a bigger force than military battles.

In 1777, the Continental Congress adopted the Articles of Confederation, although they were not ratified until 1781. The government they instituted was weak, however with no president or courts, and unanimous approval required to amend them.  Eventually, they were replaced by the Constitution.

July 4, 1776:  Declaration of Independence.  All men are created equal.  Natural inalienable rights.  Listed grievances against crown (by then we no longer recognized Parliament).  Frequent invocation of God.  Used philosophy of John Locke: government is a social compact, and rebellion is justified when the government breaks its end of the bargain.  John Locke actually wrote the original constitution for the Carolinas in the 1669, but it proved unworkable.

At Saratoga in upstate NY in October 1777, 6,000 British soldiers surrendered, making a huge victory for the colonies.  [[Benedict Arnold]] led our army brilliantly then, before he became a traitor and went over to the British side.  That was the turning point because the French then entered on our side.

Causes of American Revolution: (1) accustomed to much independence and self-determination, Tory effort to regulate and tax was bitterly opposed by Colonies (and by Whigs in England); (2) British burdens hurt nearly all Colonists in all walks of life; (3) taxes hit at a bad time: postwar depression; (4) legally, colonies disagreed with “virtual representation”; (5) religious reason: many colonists disliked Anglicans (and Catholics), and feared England would install an Anglican bishop; (6) colonists disliked English class distinctions; (7) 1/3 of colonists were not even English, and broad geographic separation; (8) accepted John Locke’s philosophy of natural rights and social contract; (9) bright prospect for future by colonists.  Independence was inevitable, as with other British colonies, but came quicker than for most.

The Franco-American Alliance ended French Neutrality in 1778. Benjamin was instrumental in achieving this alliance, but this certainly was not his only achievement.  He also wrote Poor Richard’s Almanac, Invented the Franklin stove for heating, and started the first library.  Due to Franklin’s efforts as an ambassador to France, and the inspiration of the colonies’ victory at Saratoga, France recognized the colonies’ independence, entered into a military alliance with the colonies, and renounced its territory east of the Mississippi as well as Bermuda.

1/3rd of the colonists were loyal to Britain.  Washington’s army was only 18,000, less than a third the size of attendance at Giants Stadium.  The British won early battles at [[Bunker Hill]] in Boston, in Canada, and in New York.  We started winning on Christmas Eve in Trenton in 1776, then later at Princeton.  Big win was at Saratoga in upstate NY in October 1777, when 6,000 British soldiers surrendered.  [[Benedict Arnold]] led our army brilliantly then, before he became a traitor and went over to the British side.  That was the turning point because the French then entered on our side.

Still, the British were beating the patriots badly in the South.  The British captured Charleston in 1780, taking 5,500 soldiers and huge amounts of weapons.  Finally, the patriots installed General [[Nathanael Greene]], one of the revolution’s best generals.  He started inflicting heavy casualties on the British, and they retreated from the Carolinas to Yorktown, VA.

The British were beating the Patriots badly in the South.  The British captured Charleston in 1780, taking 5,500 soldiers and huge amounts of weapons.  Finally, we installed General [[Nathanael Greene]], one of our best generals.  He started inflicting heavy casualties on the British, and they retreated from the Carolinas to Yorktown, VA.

In May 1781, French arrived with two fleets, and trapped the British at Yorktown, Virginia.  They were forced to surrender their entire army of 8000.  But the British still held New York, and didn’t finally sign a peace treaty until February 1783.

In May 1781, French arrived with two fleets, and we trapped the British at Yorktown, Virginia.  They had to surrender their entire army of 8000.  But the British still held New York, and didn’t finally sign a peace treaty until February 1783.  They gave up east of the Mississippi, from Canada to Florida.  We promised to treat the Loyalists and English creditors (people owed money by colonists) fairly.  We didn’t always do that.  But there is blame to be shared on both sides of the issue: in Gladstone, New Jersey, the "Union Jack" (British flag) can be seen prominently flown to this day on one residential lot along with the American flag.

That treaty was called the Treaty of Paris, and it ended the American Revolution.  The British gave up their claim to land east of the Mississippi, from Canada to Florida.  The Americans promised to treat the Loyalists and English creditors (people owed money by colonists) fairly.  They didn’t always do that.  But there is blame to be shared on both sides of the issue: in Gladstone, New Jersey, the "Union Jack" (British flag) can be seen prominently flown to this day on one residential lot along with the American flag.  Nevertheless, the war was finally over, and the citizens of the thirteen colonies were no longer called colonists, but Americans.

== References ==

== References ==