Overview
This lecture covers the British government's harsh response to colonial resistance, the implementation of the Coercive Acts, and the escalation to armed conflict at Lexington and Concord, setting the stage for the Second Continental Congress.
The British Response: Coercive Acts
- After repeated colonial resistance, especially to the Tea Act, King George III and Parliament decided to punish the colonies.
- The Coercive Acts (Intolerable Acts) were punitive laws targeting Massachusetts to restore British authority.
- The Boston Port Act closed Boston Harbor until colonists paid for the destroyed tea and taxes.
- The Justice Act moved trials of British officials charged with offenses to England, leading to frequent acquittals.
- The Government Act dissolved Massachusetts' colonial legislature, concentrating power in the royal governor (Thomas Gage).
- The Quartering Act required colonists to house British soldiers, violating their privacy.
Colonial Reaction: The First Continental Congress
- The unprecedented severity of the Coercive Acts led all colonies to send representatives to Philadelphia in 1774.
- At the First Continental Congress, delegates petitioned Britain to repeal the Acts and agreed to boycott British goods.
- Despite the conflict, colonists did not yet seek independence; rather, they sought restoration of their rights as Englishmen.
- The Congress agreed to reconvene in 1775 if Britain did not relent.
Escalation to Armed Conflict
- Boston was occupied by British troops, and resentment was high; the Sons of Liberty prepared for resistance.
- Colonists stockpiled weapons in Concord, prompting Governor Gage to send 700 British soldiers to seize them.
- Paul Revere, Samuel Prescott, and William Dawes alerted the countryside of the British advance.
Battles of Lexington and Concord
- On April 19, 1775, British troops clashed with colonial militia at Lexington; the first shots were fired ("the shot heard around the world").
- Further fighting at Concord forced the British into a retreat under heavy colonial fire, resulting in significant British casualties and disorganization.
- These events convinced colonists to convene the Second Continental Congress and marked the start of the American War of Independence.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Coercive Acts/Intolerable Acts — Harsh British laws meant to punish Massachusetts and assert control over the colonies.
- Boston Port Act — Law closing Boston Harbor until damages from the Tea Party were paid.
- Justice Act — Moved trials of British officials to England.
- Government Act — Removed self-government in Massachusetts, giving power to the royal governor.
- Quartering Act — Forced colonists to house British soldiers.
- First Continental Congress — 1774 meeting of colonial representatives to address British oppression.
- Sons of Liberty — Group opposing British policies and organizing colonial resistance.
- Battles of Lexington and Concord — Initial armed conflicts of the American Revolution.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Prepare for next lecture on the Second Continental Congress and the move toward independence.