1770's Flashcards
When were the Townshend duties repealed?
1770 - bar the one on tea
What happened in 1771?
Colonial correspondence in Boston to decide if Britain was against them, by 1774 all colonies bar NC and Pennsylvania had one
What was the 1773 tea act?
India could trade directly to U.S, cheaper tea, cheaper than other tea, could collect more duty this way as it was cheaper than smuggled tea
Why was there opposition to the tea act and what happened?
Americans felt that it was another attempt at parliamentary taxation, NY & Pennsylvania sent tea back, Charleston left tea to rot on the dock, agents responsible for collecting duties were intimidated and resigned
What happened at the Boston Tea party?
December 1773 - £100k of tea thrown into harbour, admiral Montagu didnt open fire from warship and troops stationed near castle william didn’t fire, staunch friends of colonists in Britain felt that it was criminal
Which of the 1774 Coercive act impacted Massachusetts directly?
Boston port act closed the port until all destroyed tea had been paid for, mass govt act allowed royal governor to appoint and remove colonial officials, town meetings couldn’t be held without his permission
What were the other coercive acts?
Partial administration of justice act provided to the transfer to Britain of murder trials, new quartering act gave broader authority to military commanders seeking to house their troops, Quebec act placed authority in hands of a governor w/out elected assembly and limited trial by jury
What did the colonies do in reaction to the Boston port act, and what was the effect of this?
Would boycott British trade until the act was repealed, impacted America more than britain, colonial assemblies denounced the actions of the british govt
What did propaganda persuade americans in regard to?
For need of common action to defend american liberties
When were the Suffolk resolves and what did they suggest?
Sept 1774 - resistance to coercive acts, boycott british trade, colonial armed force, independent colonial govt until britain compromised
What did the Continental congress do?
October 1774 - all colonies bar georgia, endorsed suffolk resolves, trade boycott from Dec 1, Decleration of rights and grievances - denied that colonies subject to parliaments authority, couldn’t raise revenue w/out consent, accept control of trade and rule under crown
What theory did John Locke formulate?
Tabula Rasa (blank slate theory)
What of John Locke’s ideas were colonists popular of?
Social contract theory - against divine right of kings, everyone equal and independent and had right to defend “life, liberty or possessions”
What were inalienable rights?
Rights you couldn’t take away
What did Samuel Adams say in the circular letter?
Taxation without representation challenged their constitutional rights
What did Thomas Jefferson write in the 70’s?
1776 Declaration of independence, ‘A Summary View of the Rights of British America’ - 1774, draft of Virginia constitution in 1776, along with petitions and declaration of congress
What had John Adams done?
Acted as legal defence for soldiers in Boston Massacre, representative of Massachussetts to continental congress, persuaded congress to declare independence
What book was published in 1776?
‘Common Sense’ - Thomas Paine, attacked idea of english constitutional ideas of of hereditary monarchy and privilege, Thomas Paine (not in the book) encouraged Americans to establish a republic
