From Rebellion to Revolution Flashcards
How did the American Revolution begin? What sort of pressure and propaganda did the “Patriots” employ?
The Stamp Act (1765) & the Townshend Acts (1767)
Boston “Massacre”
Boston Tea Party
Coercive Acts
First Continental Congress
The Politics of Historical Memory (Columbus Day)
Why did Columbus Day become a federal holiday?
~Passed into law by Lyndon Johnson, 1968; began 1971
Indigenous activism and the creation of Indigenous Peoples Day
~1977: Indigenous Peoples’ Day was first proposed by a delegation of Native nations to the UN-sponsored Conference on Discrimination Against Indigenous Populations in the Americas
~1992: Protests about the 500 year commemoration of Columbus’ arrival
~2014/5: Columbus Day abolishes in Minneapolis & St. Paul
Where is Columbus Day Day abolished?
~California and Delaware: Dropped Columbus Day in 2009
~Maine, New Mexico, Vermont, and D.C.: Renamed Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples’ Day in 2019
~Hawaii: Replaced Columbus Day with Discoverers’ Day in 1988
~South Dakota: Renamed Columbus Day to Native Americans’ Day in 1990
~Alaska: Renamed Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples’ Day in 2017
Join, or die snake cartoon
The “Join, or Die” snake is a political cartoon created by Benjamin Franklin in 1754. It features a segmented snake, with each segment representing a different American colony or region, and the phrase “Join, or Die” emphasizes the need for colonial unity in the face of external threats, particularly from British rule and Native American tribes.
The image symbolized the idea that the colonies needed to unite to survive and prosper, especially during the French and Indian War. Over time, it became a symbol of colonial unity and resistance to British oppression leading up to the American Revolution. The message resonated with the colonists, highlighting the importance of cooperation for achieving their common goals.
Consequences of 7 Years War
slides:
~French depart from North America, dramatically shifting the balance of power
~Great Britain goes into massive debt
~Native nations in the Ohio Valley & Great Lakes region lose their French allies
~Hardening of racial animosities
~1763: “Line of Proclamation”
—British announce that colonists should not settle past the Appalachian Mountains.
—intended to stabilize British relations with Native nations
research:
The consequences of the Seven Years’ War were profound and far-reaching, fundamentally altering the landscape of North America. With the French departure, the balance of power shifted dramatically in favor of Great Britain, which emerged victorious but burdened by massive debt from the conflict. This financial strain prompted Britain to impose new taxes on the American colonies, fostering resentment among colonists. Additionally, Native nations in the Ohio Valley and Great Lakes region found themselves without their French allies, leading to a significant loss of power and influence. The war also intensified racial animosities between colonists and Indigenous peoples, as competition for land grew more fierce. In 1763, the British government attempted to stabilize relations with Native nations by issuing the “Line of Proclamation,” which restricted colonial settlement beyond the Appalachian Mountains, further escalating tensions between the colonies and Britain.
1763: “Line of Proclamation”
The Proclamation Line of 1763 aimed to create peace between colonists and Native nations by restricting settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains. However, it escalated tensions for several reasons. First, many colonists viewed the line as an infringement on their rights and aspirations for land, which they believed was their birthright after the war. This frustration was compounded by the fact that many settlers had already moved westward or planned to do so, leading to resentment towards British authority.
Additionally, the Proclamation was perceived as prioritizing Native interests over colonial expansion, which angered settlers eager for new opportunities. The enforcement of the line was also inconsistent, as illegal settlements continued to occur, further straining relations between the colonies and the British government. Ultimately, rather than fostering peace, the Proclamation highlighted the growing divide between colonial desires and British policy, setting the stage for increased conflict leading up to the American Revolution.
Quakers
Quakers, or the Religious Society of Friends, are a Christian denomination known for their commitment to peace, simplicity, equality, and social justice. Founded in the mid-17th century in England by George Fox, Quakers emphasize direct experience of God rather than reliance on clergy or formal rituals.
Key beliefs include the “Inner Light,” which is the idea that everyone has a divine spark within them, guiding their moral and spiritual decisions. Quakers are also known for their pacifism, refusing to participate in war and advocating for nonviolent solutions to conflict. Their commitment to equality has historically led them to be at the forefront of social movements, including abolitionism, women’s rights, and peace activism.
Quaker meetings are often characterized by silent worship, where participants sit in quiet contemplation and speak as they feel led, fostering a sense of community and spiritual connection. Their values have also influenced various humanitarian efforts and social reform initiatives around the world.
The Stamp Act (1765)
slides:
~Britain greatly indebted after Seven Years War
—English Parliament decided to tax colonists, because they paid far less in taxes than people in Britain
~Stamp Act:
—Taxed goods produced in the colonies
—Paid in currency
—Paid the salaries of customs officials
research:
The Stamp Act of 1765 was a significant piece of legislation imposed by the English Parliament as a response to the massive debt incurred by Britain after the Seven Years’ War. Faced with the need to generate revenue, Parliament decided to tax the American colonists, who were already paying far less in taxes compared to their counterparts in Britain. The Stamp Act specifically taxed a wide range of goods produced in the colonies, requiring that these items be stamped with a tax paid in currency. This tax was intended to fund the salaries of customs officials and other colonial administrators. The act sparked widespread outrage among the colonists, who viewed it as an unjust violation of their rights, leading to organized protests and ultimately contributing to the growing sentiment for independence.
Opposition to the Stamp Act
slides:
~Patrick Henry (Virginia): This was taxation without representation
~Protests in Boston:
—Andrew Oliver (stamp distributor) hanged in effigy
—Lt. Gov. Hutchinson’s house looted
~Sons of Liberty: merchants, artisans & lawyers
research:
Opposition to the Stamp Act was fervent and widespread among the American colonists, with figures like Patrick Henry of Virginia famously declaring it as “taxation without representation.” In Boston, protests escalated dramatically, exemplified by the hanging in effigy of Andrew Oliver, the stamp distributor, and the looting of Lieutenant Governor Hutchinson’s house, reflecting deep-seated anger toward British impositions. The Sons of Liberty, a group composed of merchants, artisans, and lawyers, emerged as a key force in organizing resistance, mobilizing public sentiment against the Act, and advocating for colonial rights. Their collective actions highlighted the growing unity among the colonies and set the stage for an escalating confrontation with British authority.
Townshend Acts (1767)
slides:
~Tax on imports from Britain
—Difference between tariffs and taxes
~Paid salaries of royal officials
~Customs officials got 1/3 of smuggled goods
~Smugglers tried without a jury
research:
The Townshend Acts, enacted in 1767, imposed a series of taxes on imported goods from Britain, including essentials like tea, glass, and paper. Unlike direct taxes, which were levied on income or property, these were tariffs on specific imports, designed to raise revenue while asserting Parliament’s authority over the colonies. The revenue generated was intended to pay the salaries of royal officials, which further angered colonists who resented British control. Additionally, customs officials received one-third of the value of any seized smuggled goods, creating a financial incentive to crack down on colonial traders. Smugglers faced trials without juries, denying them the legal protections that were a hallmark of English justice. This combination of taxation, financial incentives for enforcement, and the erosion of legal rights fueled growing discontent among the colonists, setting the stage for increased resistance against British rule.
Reaction to Townshend Acts
slides:
~Non-importation movement (boycott)
—Subscription Lists
—Linked everyday behavior to “patriotism”
~Daughters of Liberty
—Women played an important role in the boycott & political action
research:
In response to the Townshend Acts, the colonists launched a widespread non-importation movement, effectively boycotting British goods as a form of protest. This movement was organized through subscription lists, which encouraged individuals and businesses to pledge not to purchase imported items, linking everyday consumer behavior to a sense of “patriotism.” Women played a crucial role in this resistance through the Daughters of Liberty, who not only supported the boycott by producing homemade goods to replace imported items but also participated in political actions to raise awareness about the cause. Their efforts underscored the importance of female involvement in the revolutionary movement, as they organized spinning bees and other activities to promote self-sufficiency. Together, these actions reflected a growing commitment among colonists to assert their rights and challenge British authority, reinforcing a collective identity that would be instrumental in the fight for independence.
Pressure to uphold boycott
slides:
~“Patriots” shamed and isolated those who did not support boycotts
~Boycott on merchants who didn’t support nonimportation
~Forced apologies
~Threats of violence; beatings, vandalism, tarring & feathering
research:
The pressure to uphold the boycott against British goods during the Townshend Acts was intense, as “Patriots” actively shamed and isolated those who chose not to participate. Merchants who defied the non-importation agreements faced severe repercussions, including public boycotts that threatened their livelihoods. This pressure escalated to forced apologies and, in some cases, threats of violence, such as beatings, vandalism, and the infamous practice of tarring and feathering. These aggressive tactics created an atmosphere of fear and compliance, ensuring that most colonists would either conform to the boycott or suffer social and physical repercussions. This collective enforcement highlighted the deepening commitment to resistance and the lengths to which Patriots were willing to go to assert their rights and challenge British authority.
extra info:
Tarring and feathering is a form of public humiliation and punishment that involves coating an individual with tar and then rolling them in feathers. Historically, this practice was used as a means of social control, often against those perceived as traitors or enemies of the community. It was intended to shame and intimidate, sending a message to others about the consequences of defying social norms or authority.
British Troops in Boston, 1768
slides:
-In response to protests, King George III stations 4,000 troops in Boston
-Boston has a population of 16,000
-Tension between “red coats” and Bostonians
research:
In 1768, in response to escalating protests and unrest in the colonies, King George III stationed 4,000 British troops in Boston, a city with a population of just 16,000. This significant military presence heightened tensions between the “redcoats” and the local residents, creating an atmosphere of suspicion and animosity. The sight of British soldiers patrolling the streets was a constant reminder of British authority and oppression, fueling resentment among Bostonians who viewed the troops as an occupying force. Incidents of friction often erupted, with soldiers and colonists clashing over issues of authority and rights, ultimately contributing to the growing revolutionary fervor in the city and laying the groundwork for future confrontations, such as the Boston Massacre.
“Boston Massacre”
The Boston Massacre, which occurred on March 5, 1770, was a pivotal event in the buildup to the American Revolution. Tensions had been escalating between colonists and British troops stationed in Boston, as residents grew increasingly frustrated with the military presence and oppressive measures imposed by Britain.
On that fateful night, a confrontation began when a group of colonists began taunting and throwing snowballs, rocks and other stuff at British soldiers. The situation quickly escalated, and amidst the chaos, the soldiers fired into the crowd, killing five colonists and injuring several others. The dead included Crispus Attucks, a man of African and Native American descent, who is often remembered as a symbol of resistance to British oppression.
The incident was widely publicized and sensationalized by colonial leaders such as Samuel Adams and Paul Revere, who used it as a rallying point to galvanize public opinion against British rule. The Boston Massacre became a powerful symbol of colonial resistance and fueled anti-British sentiment, ultimately contributing to the outbreak of the Revolutionary War.
5 people:
Crispus Attucks: Considered the most famous African American of the Revolutionary War and a symbol for the abolitionist movement
Samuel Gray: A rope maker who died instantly
James Caldwell: A mariner who died instantly
Samuel Maverick: A 17-year-old apprentice ivory turner who died early the next morning
Patrick Carr: An Irish immigrant who died two weeks later from a fatal abdominal wound
Boston Tea Party (1773)
slides:
~Tea Act, 1773: Parliament reduces the cost of tea, but includes a small tax
~Nov. 1773: First ships with British tea arrive in Boston harbor
~Dec 16, 1773: 50-60 men dressed as Native people dumped 45 tons of tea into Boston Harbor
research:
The Boston Tea Party, a key event in the American Revolution, was sparked by the Tea Act of 1773, which allowed Parliament to reduce the cost of tea while still imposing a small tax. This legislation angered many colonists who saw it as a violation of their rights, as they were being taxed without representation. In November 1773, the first ships carrying British tea arrived in Boston Harbor, heightening tensions among the colonists. On December 16, 1773, in a bold act of protest, a group of 50 to 60 men disguised as Native Americans boarded the ships and dumped 45 tons of tea into the harbor. This dramatic demonstration of defiance was aimed at challenging British authority and opposing the unfair tax. The Boston Tea Party galvanized colonial resistance and led to harsh punitive measures from Britain, further escalating the conflict that would culminate in the Revolutionary War.
The “Coercive Acts” (1774)
slides:
~AKA “The Intolerable Acts”
~Closed the port of Boston until tea (with tax) was paid for
~Curbed Massachusetts self-government
~Protected British officials and soldiers
~Colonists forced to provide supplies to British soldiers
research:
The Coercive Acts, also known as the Intolerable Acts, were enacted by the British Parliament in 1774 as a direct response to the Boston Tea Party. These punitive measures aimed to reassert control over the increasingly rebellious colonies, particularly Massachusetts. The acts closed the port of Boston until the colonists paid for the destroyed tea, crippling the local economy and further inflaming tensions. Additionally, the legislation curtailed Massachusetts’ self-government, undermining the colony’s autonomy and local decision-making. The Coercive Acts also included provisions that protected British officials and soldiers from colonial prosecution, effectively shielding them from accountability for their actions. Furthermore, the acts mandated that colonists provide supplies and housing for British troops stationed in their towns, a requirement that was deeply resented. Together, these measures united the colonies in opposition to British rule and set the stage for the First Continental Congress, where colonial leaders would coordinate a collective response.
