Unit 3: The Empire in Transition Flashcards
Major Generalization: The Empire in Transition (Pre-revolutionary America)
- Revolution not an isolated incident
- Independence move not continual or unanimous
- British justified in their actions
Tradition of Neglect: 1700-1760: Navigation Acts (Mercantile-based) 1660: Largely unenforced
a. All colonial trade to be carried in English ships (Master, 3/4 crew to be English)
b. Certain items (tobacco, sugar) shipped only to England and her possessions
c. All goods shipped from Europe to the colonies to pass through England
d. Provided for appt. of Customs Officials in the colonies for enforcement
England Begins to Lose Her Grip on Colonies
- Weak administrative authority in England
- Policy of Neglect (Walpole)
- Corrupt, inefficient officials in colonies
- Growing power of Colonial legislatures: “Power of the Purse”
Conflict between England and France spilled over to the Colonies
- W. Colonists defending themselves against French and Native American forces
- 1757: William Pitt brings war effort in colonies under British control
- Siege of Quebec ends American phase of war
1757: William Pitt brings war effort in colonies under British control
a. “Impressments” (forcible enlistment)
b. Seized supplies, equipment from locals
c. Colonists required to shelter British troops
Peace of Paris Ended the War: Terms and Consequences
- England acquired an empire
- North America to be English and Protestant, and French and Catholic
- North America would adopt the English political system
Effects of the French and Indian War in England
- Led to huge debt: how to pay?
- Resentment toward Americans for: “Lack of contribution”
- Resolve to enforce British Colonial Policy: Navigation Acts
Steps Taken to Tighten Colonial Policy
- Customs officials instructed to be stricter: letter of the law
- Colonial governors to assume responsibility for laxity
- New laws passed to better apprehend offenders
- Passage of a Revenue Act of raise revenue directly in the colonies
Effects of the French and Indian War on the Colonies
- Socializing Experience: forced colonists to unite against a common foe
- England’s actions confirmed the illegitimacy of English interference in “local” matters
Accession of George III in 1760 Changed the Course
- Rejected laissez-faire approach, determined to take active role in policy
- Suffered from intellectual and psychological limitations
George Grenville, new Prime Minister
- Colonists should contribute their fair share
- Imposed new system of control in colonial life
Proclamation Line of 1763: Forbid colonists to advance beyond a line drawn along the Appalachian Mts.
- Dictated that England, not colonies, control westward movement
- Reduce conflict with N/A tribes, thus saving the empire money
- Hoped to slow the exodus from the coastal colonies where England had more to gain
- Save land speculation opportunities and fur trade for English, not colonials
Grenville’s Policies
- Station British troops in the colonies
- Colonies to aid in maintaining the army
- British ship to patrol colonial water
- Customs enlarged, reorganized
- Restriction of colonial manufacturing
The Sugar Act of 1764: Purpose: Raised money to pay war debt
- Molasses Act duties halved, but enforced
- Vice-admirably courts to try offenders
The Currency Act of 1764
- Forbids issuing of paper money
- Led to shortage of money: barter
- Slipped colonies into recession