American Revolution: Part 1 PDF

American War of Independence American Revolution Part I  American War of Independence AND/OR: American Revolution Transformed American colonies From a collection of mismatched states to a Global economic and political superpower The Original...

American War of Independence American Revolution Part I  American War of Independence AND/OR: American Revolution Transformed American colonies From a collection of mismatched states to a Global economic and political superpower The Original 13 States  QUESTIONS: Was the American War Of Independence INEVITABLE? Was a Political Settlement with Britain IMPOSSIBLE? Why is it called a REVOLUTION?  SEVEN YEARS' WAR American Colonies Contributed to British victory Celebrated that victory Proud to be members of the world's GREATEST EMPIRE  American Revolution was ONLY a Remote possibility to a few intellectuals Q: WHAT triggered the Revolution? A: Measures by British Parliament made it INEVITABLE  Many Historians believe that the British Parliament ARROGANTLY & INCOMPETENTLY Handled the issue of American taxation WRONG choices resulted in British LOSS of the thirteen colonies  American War of independence LIBERATED the Colonies Established a DEMOCRATIC government UNITED the thirteen original states Collectively became known as: United States of America British Union Jack Old American Flag  New American Flag Strips for 13 original state Stars for number of states  Questions we will attempt to explain: WHAT did Colonials want? WHY did the British Parliament provoke them? HOW did Americans react?  British Parliament & Enlightened Despotism BRITAIN was/is a Constitutional Monarchy KING head of state However, all political decisions are taken PARLIAMENT A. House of Lords – appointed B. House of Commons – elected Parliament adopted the policy of ENLIGHTENED DESPOTISM Initiated Administrative reforms in BRITAIN and the COLONIES ▪Centralization of power ▪Unified Taxation  AMERICAN COLONIES Financial Policy was previously LENIENT Obligations to Britain were ACCEPTABLE IN ESSENCE: Colonies enjoyed SEMI financial independence  COLONIES paid taxes ISSUED by LOCAL assemblies Collected LOCALLY Spent LOCALLY BRITISH custom duties were acceptable BRITISH lenient in collecting such duties  British financial policy changed after FRENCH & INDIAN WAR Which seriously damaged British economy Resulted in HUGE financial deficit AMERICAN COLONIES An attractive source of revenue Parliament’s NEW POLICY in the colonies: American colonies will 1st: SHARE in war debts 2nd: HANDLE the expenses of running the new acquired territories  FURTHERMORE: Parliament REDUCED power of local legislator Applied ADDITIONAL Financial burdens in a SERIES of ACTS imposed on AMERICAN COLONIES STRONGLY opposed by Americans  1st Act: IRON ACT Multi purpose of this Act: 1st: Increase manufacturing capacity in Britain 2nd: Encourage American manufacturers to move business to Britain 3rd: Limit competition from colonies 4th: Protect English Iron industry  2nd Act: CURRENCY ACT Colonies were printing paper currency WITHOUT proper backing Parliament passed this Act that: 1. Introduced a system based on British pound 2. Protects British merchants from depreciated colonial currency  Background To the 3rd Act the SUGAR ACT British Old Molasses Act: Tax on molasses not imported from Britain Purpose: control trade in colonies Americans REFUSED to pay this tax  3rd Act: SUGAR ACT An adjustment to old Molasses act New Act cuts tax by 50% BRITISH were hopeful Americans will finally pay this REDUCED tax Why Americans refused the Sugar Act 1st: They were already Suspicious of British financial policies 2nd: Sugar Act issued at a time of Economic depression  THE FIRST TIME: Industrial North & Agricultural South Joined in PROTESTING such acts  BRITISH Continue imposing financial burdens on the American colonies Doubled: Duties on products reshipped from England to colonies Banned: Imports of French wine  Forced: Selling products to Britain Only Reapplied: Old Navigation Acts How much would the Americans accept How did they react?