Causes of the American Revolution Flashcards
How had colonists benefited from the defeat of France in 1763?
- No longer faced a French threat in Canada.
- Hope to exploit the vast territories acquired in North America.
Why in 1763 did Britain decide to extend their control over North America?
- Defence was an issue with colonial boundaries moving westwards.
- Government needed to provided for 50,000 French Canadians.
- 7 years war made apparent that smuggling was an issue.
- Politicians angry that the colonists had done little to fund the war.
How many troops did the Earl of Brute announce would be used as a standing army in the colonies in 1763?
10000
What was the annual interest of Britain’s debt post 7 years war?
£4.4 million annual interest on the debt.
Government income was £8 million.
By how much had the cost of colonial defence and administration risen between 1748 and 1763?
From £70,000 in 1748 to £350,000 in 1763.
What were the events of Pontiac’s rebellion?
- Conflict ignited from the natives fear of colonial encroachment onto their land.
- The Ohio valley tribes led by Pontiac rose in 1763.
- The destroyed every British post west of Niagra.
- British forces had to come in to lift the siege in Detroit.
- Native Americans defeated by British soldiers.
What was the result of Pontiac’s rebellion?
Showed to the British that colonists that the colonists were unable/unwilling to provide their own defence.
What was the 1763 Proclamation Line?
- Boundary of white settlement to be a line running across the crest of the Appalachians.
- Land claims west of the boundary were nullified.
- Britain regarded the proclamation line as a temporary measure to curb expansion.
Who was angered by the 1763 proclamation line?
Virginians who had claims to western land.
Evidence that the 1763 proclamation was ineffectual:
30,000 colonists ignored the restriction and moved westwards.
By 1768, Britain had accepted the breakdown of the proclamation line.
What anti-smuggling measures did Grenville bring in 1763?
- Colonial customs officials had to reside in America.
- Jurisdiction in revenue cases was transferred from colonial courts to vice-admiralty courts in Nova Scotia - only a judge would decide the verdict.
The 1764 Sugar Act:
- Reduced the tax on imported foreign molasses.
- Also added: wine, silk and coffee to the list of enumerated commodities.
- Any custom official who was found accepting a bribe would be subject to a £500 fine and disqualification from serving in any government post
How much revenue was it estimated that the 1764 Sugar Act would raise?
£78,000.
The Currency Act (1764):
Banned colonial paper money - aimed mainly at Virginia.
What was the American reaction to Grenville Sugar Act and regulation of smuggling?
- Vice-admiralty courts were seen as undermining colonial judiciary.
- The deflationary effects of the currency act threatened some Americans with ruin.
- New England Merchants aggrieved by the sugar act.
- Most Americans complied and few were directly affected.
How did Americans perceive the standing army in the colonies?
As a threat to liberty.
What American opposition was there in 1764?
1764, 9 Colonial assemblies sent messages to London arguing that they had abused their power by introducing the sugar act.
Accepted that parliament could regulate trade, but not to tax.
The Stamp Act 1764:
Grenville introduces that he will be implementing a Stamp Act in a years time.
- Requires stamps to be fixed to most formally printed papers in the colonies - 50 different items.
How much revenue did the treasury estimate the Stamp Act would raise?
£60,000 - only a quarter of the defence spending for the colonies.
What was the American reaction to the Stamp Act?
Stamp act affected all the colonists.
It attacked the most influential colonists - lawyers, merchants and printers.
It was viewed as dangerous and unjustified.
What were the Virginia Resolves (1765)?
Patrick Henry introduced 7 resolutions attacking the Stamp Act in the Virginia House of Burgesses.
- Only 5 of Patrick Henry’s mildest resolutions were adopted e.g Colonists had the rights of English men and colonies could only be taxed if they had proper representation.
What was the colonial reaction the Virginia Resolves?
All 7 of Henry’s resolves were printed in colonial newspapers.
By the end of 1765, 8 other assemblies passed resolution condemning parliament, with most setting up petitions appealing for the acts repeal.
Who attended the Stamp Act Congress (1765) ?
27 delegates from 9 states met in New York.
What was the result of the Stamp Act Congress (1765)?
Denounced the Stamp Act and sought to repeal the act.
Also denounced vice-admiralty courts.
