Britain: losing and gaining an empire, 1763-1914: depth studies - loss of American colonies, 1770-83 Flashcards
Townshend Duties
- 1767
- relating to the collection of customs duties from the colonies. Introduced by the Chancellor, Charles Townshend.
- taxed tea, lead, glass, paint, china and wine
Colonial Society
- Economy mostly agriculturally based but with some key differences:
1 – New England – small subsistence farmers, extensive fishing industry
2 – Middle colonies, Pennsylvania – wheat and flour
3 – Southern colonies – tobacco (slaves)
Colonial settlers
- Most were Protestant, some escaping persecution
- Most could work and own land, in small communities spread over a huge amount of land
- Skilled workers and tradesmen earned far better wages than in England
British national debt after the 7 Years War
75-133 mil POUNDS
Role of assemblies
- raise revenue for local services, payment of local officials + passing of local legislation
- 1760s- consistently overstepped their constitutional (legal) position, providing a focus for discussion/reaction to British taxes from introduction of Sugar Act 1764 until outbreak of hostilities.
- produced petition against taxation, then begin to work together to formulate stronger, unified responses.
- opposition of British taxes, providing a forum for debate and coherent response to new laws.
Sons of Liberty
Paramilitary opposition, originally centred in Boston, set up to organise resistance to British taxation in the 1760s.
Sam Adams
prime agitator in Massachusetts. Organiser of the Boston Tea Party, helped form the Committees of Correspondence which spread revolutionary messages.
Committee of Correspondence
First set up in Massachusetts, then other colonies, provided a means of communication and a network throughout the colonies, which the British could not control.
Opposition to Taxation
- Agents of the Crown collecting revenue were obstructed more during 1760s. Thomas Hutchinson (governor of Boston) had house ransacked for loyalist sympathies during protests against Stamp Act
- Some were tarred and feathered – many officials resigned
Boston in 1770
- Colonists rioted against British duties on imports
- British had 600 troops stationed there from September 1768 to preserve the peace and enforce the law
- Pamphlets encouraged baiting troops and avoiding taxes; young boys and men rioted every Thursday
Boston Massacre
1770
Tea Act 1773
- Introduced to shore up East India Company, which was financially struggling at the time
- Allowed EIC to trade directly with America, rather than trading through British ports – hoped to increase profits for the Company
- Indian tea would compete with smuggled tea – this tea would be cheaper because it was exempt from British port duties
- the tea would be subject to American duties – more money for the British
- Committee of Correspondence condemns the act as another attempt to tax the Americans (it wasn’t, but perception sometimes matters more than truth)
- CofCs encourage boycotts and civil disobedience.
- Tea was rejected or not offered for sale by Philadelphia, New York & Charleston.
Sinking of the Tea 1773
- Dartmouth sails into Boston 28 November 1773, Eleanor on 2 December, Beaver on 15 December
- (Appointed) Governor Hutchinson (loyalist) of Boston wants the tea to land, patriots wanted to set an example
- After weeks of discussions, patriots boarded 3 ships and threw £10,000 worth of tea into the sea in 342 chests
- British try to isolate Boston and Massachusetts – lock down, military control. led to unity between all 13 colonies in outright rebellion.
- Underestimate the intercolonial links and patriot support in other colonies
Coercive Acts 1774
- Closure of port of Boston from June 1 until tea was paid for
- Revising charter of the colony to allow governor to appoint and remove most officials - governorship given to General Gage
- Arranging for transfer of murder trials to England
- Giving more powers to military commanders to arrange quartering of their troops
- This was followed by Quebec Act dealing with Canada – governor without assembly and limits of trial by jury seen as evidence of attempt by British to establish tyrannical rule.
What decisions did the Continental Congress make in June 1775?
Paper money, George Washington commander of the new continental army
Why did the Declaration of Independence and establishment of new formal government take longer?
- Delegates were embarking intellectual and personal journey towards revolution.
- Communication with local committees an assemblies took place at every step, took a long time due to printing and transport by horse
- Members of the continental congress worked hard to reach a consensus
Declaration of Independencend
- July 1776
- Local assemblies authorised their congressional delegates to declare independence.
- Passed 12/13 colonies (NY abstained)
Articles of Confederation - How was this constitution different to the current US constitution?
Mechanism that allows the states to work together without sacrificing too much power to a central committee.
Articles of Confederation
- All powers not specifically granted to congress were reserved by the state (no right to enforce taxes or regulate trade)
- All states had to agree
- Congress could declare war, borrow and issue money
- There was no president, prime minister or cabinet – instead each state had one vote
Battle of Saratoga and Burgoyne’s defeat
- 1777
Why did the Brits lose? - Weak plan, not linked with other generals. Pursuing different objectives
- First rebel defeat – shows hope. As a result, French joined the war.
French and Spanish entry into the war
France were interested in being allies because of their conflict with Britain.
Spain was an ally of France.
War on many fronts
Originally 65% of British forces were in the North, by 1780 it was now 20% as they were fighting on multiple fronts.
French interfered at Yorktown, which was a decisive battle.
Change of priorities
Loss of America = the end of empire starts
Cornwallis defeat at Yorktown
- 1781
Why did the Brits lose? - Britain turned their attention south, however it was not a loyalist stronghold as suggested.
- Washington being able to lead an army of 16k American and French troops.
- Reinforcements arrived too late. British stretched too thin.
Impact of war
- Realisation that the war was bad for trade – pressure on King and parliament to end war
- British still held NY, Charleston and Savannah, and 30,000 troops in America, but Commons ended military measures and Lord North resigned 20 March
Peace of Paris
- Peace talks under Lord Shelburne – wanted to split America from France.
- Peace of Paris signed by Britain, USA, France, Spain, Holland 3rd September 1783
- Generous to new nation: recognised independence and new boundaries
- Divided imperial possessions – Britain regained Bahamas and Negapatam, Spain got Florida and Minorca, France regained Pondicherry, St Lucia and Goree, keeping Tobago, Holland regained Trincomalee
- America got more favourable terms than expected
Why did America get such favorable terms?
Strong negotiating team and Britain wanting good relations with America
Involvement of Holland
- Holland wanted to be Neutral but was supplying the Americans and French with supplies.
- Had lent money to France on America’s behalf.
- War broke out over the legality and conduct of Dutch trade with Britain’s enemies
