Topic 4

The Age of the American Revolution

1763-1783

A. Postwar Problems – The Problems of an Enlarged Empire

1. Government problem – providing workable governments for England’s new territories.

2. Indian Problem in the Ohio Country – Conspiracy of Pontiac, spring 1763

3. Defense Problem – Colonial troops not good enough. 10,000 regular British troops needed.

4. Money, money, money

B. Conditions that worked against the solution of these problems:

1. Poor leadership – England needed outstanding leaders; well-educated men who understand the needs of the colonies as well as England’s needs. George III – surrounded himself with “yes men” whose first thought was to please the King!

2. Ignorance in England – Did not realize that the colonies had grown up and had their own well-established governments and sources of trade.

3. The removal of France – Created a new spirit of self-reliance in the colonies. Wanted to be left alone to run their own affairs and believed the problems the British faced in keeping the empire together were no particular concern of their.

4. Different views held by Englishmen and Americans about the power of Parliament to tax the colonies.

C. Round One, 1763-1766

1. Proclamation of 1763 – October 1763

2. Sugar Act – April 1764

3. Stamp Act – March 1765 – This is when the real trouble began!

4. The Ways Americans Protested

– Mob Action – Mobs of angry Americans attacked and looted the offices of the Stamp Tax collectors. (Members of the mobs often called themselves the Sons of Liberty.) All the collectors forced out of office.

– Non-importation agreements – England’s trade with the colonies came to a standstill.

– Stamp Act Congress – NYC – October 1765 – 9 colonies represented. Adopted resolutions saying Parliament could impose no taxes on the colonies, either external or internal. (What’s the difference?)

– Many colonial legislatures also passed resolutions saying the same thing.