Why did tensions reach a point of no return 1770-1775? Flashcards
When was the 7 years war?
1756-1763
Who won the 7 years war?
Britain
What was the economic outcome of the 7 years war for Britain?
National debt of £133 million
What was the proclamation line?
Divided the rest of North America from the colonies
Why was there a proclamation line?
To minimise conflict over land with native Americans
What was the sugar act?
Tax that was applied to goods coming into America
When was the sugar act?
1764
What is salutary neglect?
Parliamentary rules and laws were loosely or not enforced on the American colonies and trade
What did they lower the tax to from?
6d (not properly enforced) to 3d
How much did they say that the tax of the Americas would bring in?
78,000 per year
Why did the colonists complain about the tax?
They hadn’t been taxed previously and thought that the British had no right to tax them
What was the quartering act?
The colonists had to provide barracks for British troops and pay for their supplies
Troops could be housed in inns and empty buildings without consent
When was the quartering act?
1765
What was NYC response to the quartering act?
NYC refused and the NYC restraining act was enforced and the assembly was suspended
What was the stamp act?
Tax was applied to 50 documents and required a stamp to show it had been paid
When was the stamp act?
1765
How much was the stamp act supposed to bring in?
£60,000 in its first year
What was the Virginia resolves?
Resoltuions that stated that the colonists had the same rights as englishmen
What did the Virginia resolves say about tax?
That the colonists had to give their right to be taxed and that the assembly only had the right to tax
When were the Virginia resolves?
1765
By the end of 1765 how many of the colonies had passed their own resolves?
8
What was the stamp act congress?
9 colonies met in NYC and drafted the deceleration of rights and grievances
When was the stamp act congress?
1765
Who were the sons of liberty?
A group of men who went on protests and planned boycotts
How many merchants agreed to not import British goods?
200
What did the British think of the colonists?
Opinions were divided by were all horrified by the violence
Who repealed the stamp act?
Rockingham, the new PM
What was the declatory act?
Colonies were subordinate to the British parliament
Why was the declatory act passed?
The British were fearful of the colonies ability to inflict economic damage through boycotts
When was the declatory act passed?
1766
What were the Townsend duties?
Duties on glass, wine, china, lead, paints, paper and tea
Why were the Townsend duties criticised by the British?
It would only raise £40,000
When were the Townsend duties passed?
1767
What was the circular letter?
Sam Adams attacking the Townsend duties
When was the circular letter?
1768
How many assemblies approved the circular letter?
7
What was the saying colonists said about tax?
“No taxation without representation”
What was tarring and feathering?
Merchants were stripped naked, covered in hot tar and rolled in goose feathers
What was enlightenment thinking in terms of religion?
God existed but did not actively run the world
What was enlightenment thinking in terms of science?
Information took priority over the bible
What was enlightenment thinking in terms of politics?
The government should protect the rights and should be overthrown if not done so
What did John Locke write?
Essay concerning human understanding 1689
What did Thomas Paine write?
Common sense 1776
What did Thomas Jefferson write?
The declaration of independence 1776, inspired by John Locke
What was the Boston massacre
100 people gathered outside the customs house and threw snowballs, icicles and oyster shells
How did the Boston massacre become a massacre?
A guard fired and other followed, 5 colonists were killed
How many guards were freed after the Boston massacre and why
6/8 due to the defence of john Adams
When was the Boston massacre?
5 March 1770
What happened to the 2 that were found guilty of the Boston massacre?
Released after being branded on their thumb
What happened during the years of calm?
Repealing of the Townsend duties (retained tax on tea)
Non-importation of British goods began to collapse
When were the years of calm?
1770-1773
What was the tea act?
Tea from China would be sold directly to colonies rather than passing through British ports which incurred duties
When was the tea act?
1773
What was the Boston tea party?
Sons of liberty dressed as native Americans and threw tea overboard
How much tea was destroyed in the Boston tea party?
342 chests of tea worth 18.5 million tea bags
When was the Boston tea party?
December 1773
What were the coercive acts?
New PM Lord North attempting to restore order in Massachusetts
When were the coercive acts?
1774
What was the Administration of justice act?
British officials accused of capital crimes whilst suppressing riots or collecting tax in Massachusetts could avoid local juries by having cases heard in England
When was the Administration of justice act?
20 may 1774
What was the Administration of justice act nicknamed?
Murder act
What was the Massachusetts government act?
Suspended the colony’s charter
Limited town meetings
Elected offices filled with royal appointees
When was the Massachusetts government act?
20 may 1774
What was the Boston port act?
Closed Boston ports
Insisted on recognition from Massachusetts that duties were within control of parliament
When was the Boston port act?
1 june 1774
What was the quartering act of 1774?
Authorised soldiers in occupied facilities as opposed to empty ones previously
When was the quartering act of 1774?
2 june 1774
What were the terms the Quebec act?
French civil law was reintroduced in Quebec
It doubled in size (deliberate attempt to block Western expansion)
Legal to practice Roman Catholicism
When was the Quebec act?
22 June 1774
What was the colonists reaction to the Quebec act?
The catholic stronghold threatened them and they saw it as a penalty for their resistance
What was the first continental congress?
12/13 colonies met to discuss America
Who were apart of the radicals and what did they propose at the continental congress?
John and Sam Adams, Patrick Harvey and they proposed the Suffolk reserves
Who were apart of the moderates and what did they propose at the continental congress?
John Dickinson and Joseph Galloway and they proposed the plan of union
When was the first continental congress?
September 1774 in Pennsylvania
What were the terms Suffolk resolves?
Called for Massachusetts to arm for defence
Non-importation of British goods unless coercive acts repealed
Declaration of rights and grievances
United continental association
