CHAPTERS The American Revolution CHRONOLOGY 1763: Peace of Paris ends the Seven Years! War 1764: Parliament passes Sugar Act to collect American revenue 1765: Stamp Act receives support of House of Commons (March) ‘Stamp Act repealed the same day that Declaratory Act becomes law 176 +: Townshend Revenue Acts stir American anger 1768: Massachusetts assembly refuses to rescind cireula leter 1770: Parliament repeals all Townsend dates except one on tea (March) 1772: Samuel Adams forms committee of correspondence 1773: Lord North's goverment passes Tea Act (May) Parliament punishes Boston with Coercive Acts (March-June) 1775: Patrits take stand at Lexington and Concord (April) Congress votes for independence; Declaration is signed (July) 1777: General Burgoyne surrenders at Saratogs (Octobs1) 1778: French recognize US independence 1780: British take Charles Town 1781: Comwallis surenders at Yorktown e 1783: ace treaty signed (September) 35SUMMARY Benveen 1763 and 1783, Americans increasingly rebelled against English rule, declared independence, and finally won the military struggle against the Bratch, Contested Meaning of Empire At the end of the Seven Years! War, American society, onthe whole, was young, cptimisti and prosperous, ad looked lo the future with considerable politcal sad economic expectation, Breakdown of Political Trust Trough the mounting conflict to 1776, King George I, his ministers, and Parliament Packaateit views on inaccurate information on the colonies while stubbornly defending Parliament's “sovereign supreme power over every part ofthe dominions of aces as clear that the colonies and those in England did not understand each other os the stakes at hand, and soon compromise became increasingly dificult, ‘The American Perspective: No Taxation Without Representation ‘The postwar conflict forced the Americans to define their views on the power of colonial assemblies, representative government, and freedom from England's revenue taxation Appeal to Political Virtue ‘The American idcology also contained a heavy emphasis on religious and moral ‘components based on various sources from the Great Awakening and John Locke to the Commonwealth men. ‘The American variant found power dangerous unless contained by virtue; ta believers politcal extr resulted from cormaption and sn, Challenge und Resistance: Eroding the Bonds of Empire After the war with the French, the British maintained a large military presence in the ‘Colonies; which Americans opposed for two reasons: British troops failed to protect the thousands of Americans who died during uprisings by the Native Americans of the backcountry: and afer the Proclamation of 1763 was issued, British troops obstructed Wester selement Paying off the National Debt When Grenville insisted that Americans help pay for those trocps with new restrictions on trade, well-o-do Americans involved in commerce quickly protested 2 scheme that they saw as depriving the American colonies’ righ: to asses their own taxes, ng the People Rug brotess of gentlemen grew toa mass movement wth opposition to Britain's Stamp ‘Act Americans resisted in colonial assemblies, in a “congress” in the streets, and ine boycott eflected by the Sons of Liberty and hy newly mobilized colonial woven,Saving Face Anew English government repealed the law while maintaining the principle of parliamentary supremacy, including the right to revenue taxation, but the etsis had reduced American respect and loyalty for Britain’ imperial officeholders. A Foolish Boast: Tea and Sovercignty ‘Townshend's new ministry tried new taxes on American imports and new enforcement ‘mechanisms including customs commissioners supported by admiralty courts. Americans resisted with a boycot, “vituals of non-consumption,” and a citcular letter suggesting ways to thwart the act, Creating Patriotie Martyrs A British transfer of troops to Boston heightened tensions ever more, and paitiots again resisted. One confrontation with British troops resulted in the “Boston Massacre.” Parliament, now led by Lord North, dropped all of the Townshend duties except that on tea, a symbol of Pariament’s sovereignty. Last Days of the Old Order, 1770-1773 A brief period of ealm and apparent reconciliation followed. But the actions of corrupt ‘imperial officials and the continued agitation of radicals led by Sam Adams brought about a renewal of tensions. ‘The Fins Provocation: The Boston Tea Party ‘The Boston Tea Party, a colonial response to new English regulation, led tothe Coercive Acts and American rebellion, Decision for Indeperdence ‘With the fighting begun, fifty-five American delegates from twelve of the colonies metin ‘@ Continental Congress, which Adams soon led into @ radical stance. ‘Shots Heard Around the World ‘Before the Continental Congress reconvened, the first blows of the American Revolution fell at Lexington and Concord. ‘Beginning “The World Over Again” ‘The fighting led to a Second Continental Congress that slowly took control ofthe American war effort but only discussed independence until British actions and Tom aine’s arguments pushed it toa declaration. Fighting for Independence English military and economic power might have prevailed had it not been for Britain's logistical problems ard the American commitment to independence. The Americans ‘maintained a regular army to symbolize the new country's independence and to attract forcign support, At the same time colonial militia controlled large areas of the country and compelled suppor for the patriots’ war effort. Thousands more took up arms fo the British, hoping in either cave to gain “unalienable righ.” 37