Overview
This lecture covers the origins, key events, and consequences of the American Revolution (1763–1783), focusing on the shift from British colonial rule to American independence.
British Victory and Post-War Problems
- Britain emerged from the Seven Years' War as the leading world power but faced significant debt and imperial challenges.
- American colonists expected equal rights after their wartime contributions but were disappointed by British policy.
- Britain tried to increase control over new territories and subjects, including French Canadians and Native Americans.
Tensions Over Taxation and Sovereignty
- Britain expected American colonists to help pay off war debts via new taxes, despite colonists being lightly taxed previously.
- Colonial resistance to new trade regulations and taxes increased, influenced by years of "salutary neglect."
- Colonists argued only their own representatives should have the power to tax them, leading to disputes about representation and sovereignty.
Major Acts and Colonial Responses
- The Sugar Act (1764) and Stamp Act (1765) imposed direct taxes on colonists, provoking widespread protest as "taxation without representation."
- The Stamp Act Congress and Sons of Liberty organized resistance, using boycotts and intimidation to nullify the Stamp Act.
- Parliament repealed the Stamp Act but asserted authority through the Declaratory Act (1766).
Further Strains and the Path to Revolution
- Townshend Acts (1767) imposed new taxes on imports, leading to organized colonial boycotts of British goods.
- Tensions escalated in cities like Boston, culminating in the Boston Massacre (1770).
- The Tea Act (1773) and the Boston Tea Party prompted harsh British retaliation via the "Intolerable Acts."
Colonial Organization and Outbreak of War
- The First Continental Congress (1774) coordinated colonial response, issuing the Declaration of Rights and Grievances and enforcing trade boycotts.
- Local Committees of Safety gained power, fostering self-government and revolutionary sentiment.
- Armed conflict began with battles at Lexington and Concord (1775), leading to the formation of the Continental Army under George Washington.
The Ideological Shift to Independence
- Most colonists were initially divided about full independence; radical ideas about natural rights gained influence.
- Thomas Paine's pamphlet "Common Sense" (1776) popularized calls for independence and criticized monarchy.
- The Declaration of Independence (July 4, 1776) proclaimed universal rights and justified revolution against tyranny.
The Course and Consequences of the War
- The war was difficult for Americans, marked by hardship, internal division, and military disadvantages.
- African Americans and Loyalists played complex roles, with both British and Americans offering freedom to enslaved people who served.
- French and Spanish intervention shifted the war's outcome, leading to British defeat at Yorktown (1781).
Treaty of Paris and Legacy
- The 1783 Treaty of Paris recognized American independence and granted significant territory to the new nation.
- The Revolution inspired future global movements for independence and freedom, establishing American exceptionalism and republican ideals.
- Loyalists largely left for Canada or Britain after the war.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Sovereignty — Supreme authority of a state to govern, including taxation and lawmaking.
- Salutary Neglect — British policy of lax enforcement of colonial regulations before 1763.
- Stamp Act — 1765 law taxing printed materials in the colonies, first direct internal tax.
- Sons of Liberty — Colonial group organizing protests against British measures.
- Townshend Acts — Taxes on imported goods, fueling further unrest.
- Intolerable Acts — Punitive laws in response to the Boston Tea Party.
- Continental Congress — Assembly of colonial representatives coordinating resistance and later independence.
- Common Sense — Influential pamphlet by Thomas Paine advocating for independence.
- Declaration of Independence — 1776 document proclaiming American independence and universal rights.
- Loyalists — Colonists who remained loyal to Britain during the Revolution.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review the Declaration of Independence, focusing on its preamble and grievances.
- Read "Common Sense" by Thomas Paine for insight into pro-independence arguments.
- Prepare for a discussion on how the Revolution shaped American identity and future revolutions.