Beginning of the Colonial Rebellion, 1774 - 1775 Flashcards
Topic 3
Beginning of Rebellion
What three types of opposition were there?
- Political Opposition
- Economic Opposition
- Grassroots (popular) Opposition
What was the most significant act of political opposition?
The creation of the First Continental Congress. All the colonies (except Georgia) sent representitives to it to “Consult upon the present unhappy state of the colonies”.
What did the delegates want to achieve in the First Continental Congress?
The delegates were spilt.
The moderate side (e.g. John Dickinson) wanted to co-ordinate action to force a repeal of the Coercive Acts.
The more extreme side (e.g. Sam Adams) wanted a clearer statement of the rights of the colonies.
5 points
What action did the Continental Congress take?
They adopted the Suffolk Resolves:
* Declared the Coercive Acts null and void.
* Recommended Massachusettes arm itself for defense.
* Called for Non-Importation (a boycott on British goods), and called on Colonists to create a Continental Association to ensure it would be a united effort.
* Agreed a ban on exports to Britain (to start in Sept 1775) if Britain did not repeal the Coercive Acts.
* Established Committies of Safety.
Why was the First Continental Congress Significant?
It was a key example of the Colonies governing themsleves (e.g. by creating bodies, assosiations committees etc)
4 points
What Economic Opposition was there?
- Boycott of British goods (which was effectively enforced by Committees of Safety).
- Only Georgia resisted it.
- The names of those who didn’t adhere were published and they became victims of mob violence.
- Wealthy colonists were encouraged to give up luxary products as a show of support (e.g. one merchant burnt his cargo of tea and his entire ship to show support).
4 points
What Grassroots (popular) Opposition was there?
- Committees of Corespondance spread anti-British and argued for united action to oppose the Coercive Acts.
- By 1775 there were 42 colonial newspapers; all but 3 were in support of the radicals.
- The first of these was written by Thomas Jeferson, whote wrote “A Summary of the Rights of British America”. John Adams also publshed 12 anonymous essays in support of independence.
- A wave of popular anger spread across New England; large crowds gathered forcing the closing of courts and pressuring royal officals to flee, violent attacks on officials occured.
2 points
What action did the Committees of Safety take?
- They enforced the Continental Assosiaction, ensuring that the Colonies adhered to the Boycott.
- Once the British Officials started to flee, they increasingly took on other responsibilities (e.g. running firefighting, ferries, maintaining bridges, deciding disputes etc).
How did the Colonial Military begin to prepare?
- Each Colony decided to prepare its own Militia for defense.
- Arms were stockpiled and companies of ‘minute men’ were formed. These were men who would be ready to fight anywhere in their area at a minutes notice. They trained together twice a week and followed the drills of the British Army.
5 points
What was the British response to the rising colonial opposition?
Early 1774: General Thomas Gage is made military governor of Massachusetts. However, with only 4000 men by mid 1774 his influence is limited to Boston. He requested 20,000 more men, but parliament denied his request.
Sept. 1774: Gage orders a mission to secure gunpowder from a store outside Boston. This prompted thousands of colonial minute men to muster, a show of force which convinced Gage that he needed more men. (This incident was called the Powder Alarm).
October 1775: Lord North wins election in Britain.
March 1775: Parliament passes New England Restraining Act, which states that New England can only trade with Britain and the W. Indies (measure is extended to other Colonies in April).
March 1775: Gage is ordered to move against Rebellion and arrest its leaders.
How did the War Break out?
The Battle of Lexington and Concord
In April 1775, British troops marched on Concord, Massachusets to take an arms depot there. People had ridden ahead to warn Lexington and Concord, and the Militia was urged on by Sam Adams. The British troops found thier way blocked by the militia. Shots were fired and 8 colonists were killed. There was more fighting at Concord, and the British were attacked on thier way back to Boston. Over 20,000 militia men and volunteers besieged Boston.
2 points
What were the consequences of the Battle of Lexington and Concord?
- Patriots across the colonies began to prepare for conflict, raising forces and seixing control of arms and powder.
- Gage found himself besieged in Boston by 20,000 militia men.
When was the Second Continental Congress and who attended?
It was in May 1775, and had representatives from all 13 colonies. Most had served in the first Continental Congress, but notable new additions included Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson.
What was the priority of the Second Continental Congress?
To organise the Colonies’ War Effort.
4 points
What action did the Second Continental Congress take?
- They took control of the army besieging Boston.
- They ordered colonies to raise forces for a continental army of 20,000 men.
- They issued paper currency worth $2,000,000 to pay for the army.
- They appointed Washington as Military Commander.
