Causes- America Flashcards
Define Mercantilism.
16-18th century British economic policy. Colonies produce raw materials for mother country, who then manufactures them and sells back to colonies.
Explain the cause of the French/ Indian War.
- Washington sent to Pennsylvania to negotiate with French over dispute. Turned into gunfight with Washington and brigade captured. Forced to declare responsibility for attack, Britain declares war on France.
What were the consequences of the French/ Indian war?
Last from 1754 to 1763. Total victory for Britain, French surrender all territory in the American colonies in the Treaty of Paris (1763).
End of statutory neglect for America because Britain had debt and more territory in Americas now.
Britain left with 130 million pound debt from war costs.
10 000 troops stationed in eastern colonies.
Explain the policy of Statutory Neglect.
Statutory neglect was the policy of the British to not legislate on the colonies. Instead leaving local laws to be made by local colonial legislatures overseen by a Governor for the colony.
What broke the statutory neglect and why?
The Sugar Act (1764).
Wanted to increase revenue from the colonies to pay the debts incurred from defending them in the F/I war. Projected to raise 100 000 pounds per year. Introduced a range of new duties on non British imports and a new system of convoluted paperwork required to trade. Was enforced vigorously.
What were the consequences of the Sugar Act?
Raised only 30 000 pounds. Short of its 100 000 goal.
Revised in 1766.
9 legislatures protested the act, believing Britain had no right to tax the colonies as they weren’t represented in Parliament.
“No taxation without representation”
Explain the Currency Act.
- Attempted to regulate use of paper money in colonies with “colonial script”, which could not be produced by the colonies. Caused an economic crisis and people criticised the government.
Explain the Quartering Act.
- Each colonial assembly was required to provide basic needs to British troops within their borders. Colonies saw it as another form of taxation.
Explain the Stamp Act and its effects.
- Implemented to raise 60 000 pounds to help pay the war debt. Was a tax on official documents and paper, so effected everyone in society.
The effects of the Act was: the Sons of Liberty protested against it and attacked tax collectors. Daughters of Liberty boycotted British goods. In 1766 Franklin appeals to the house of commons in England for the acts repeal.
Explain the Townsend Duties.
- Imposed various import duties on most basic goods that was to be paid when they were physically received. Projected to raise 40 000 per year, it was used to pay the salaries of British officers. It was enforced by the Admiralty Courts who could issue “writs of assistance”.
What are Writs of Assistance?
Search warrants with no expiration date and could be obtained with no cause.
Outline colonial reactions to the Townsend Duties.
Colonial legislatures protested, but could not stop as they could not withhold official wages.
Daughters of Liberty enforced boycotts of all British goods through non importation agreements that crippled British economy.
John Dickinson wrote “Letters from a Farmer”.
What is “Letters from a Farmer”?
- Letters from a Farmer were a series of 12 essays published by John Dickinson in all 13 colonies. Warning the public against the Townsend Acts and calling them a breach of rights. Promoted ideas of popular sovereignty and representative government.
What is “Addams circular letter”?
- An open letter written by Samuel Addams. Criticised the British government. Said the Townsend Duties were illegal and enforcing them was a violation of the rights of Englishmen. Calls for a unified colonial response.
Outline the reactions to Addams circular letter.
British Parliament branded the letter as seditious and promised to dissolve any colonial assembly that discussed it. The Massachusetts Assembly was dissolved and New York Assembly was suspended.
