Chapter 7:The Road to the Revolution:The Revolution was caused because of the constant conflicts between the American Colonies and the British.The American colonies had long been resisting and refusing to accept their tight control over them and the high taxes that the British had continuously been trying to impose on the colonies. The American colonies had a very big advantage because of the very great leader they had. George Washington. Even though the main idea of the British mercantilism was trying to benefit the American colonies, the constant limit of their freedoms caused the American Colonies to become very bitter against the British. It all started at the end of the French and Indian War when the British tried to impose new, high taxes on the American colonies and were trying to have more control of the colonies and what goes on in the colonies. The British thought that it would just be the colonies sharing what they get but the colonies thought of it as a way of just controlling them more and they didnt want that; they wanted to be completely independent from British rule. When the Stamp Act of 1765 andTownshend Acts (which was the act that replaced the Stamp Act after it was repealed) were passed the colonies did everything in their power to repeal them. The passing of the Stamp Act all documents, permits, contracts, newspapers, wills, pamphlets, etc, had to carry a tax. The main purpose of this being passed was to help out the colonies in paying for the military presence that were in the colonies. Also, the British needed some money to help pay for the French and Indian War, which was fought not much earlier than this time. Very few people were willing to risk their businesses in order to uphold with the new tax so as a result of this it was repealed on March 18, 1776. The Townshend Acts were a group of taxes placed on the common products that were imported into the United States. During this time, the Boston Massacre occurred, in 1770.This was the name given to an attack of American colonies by British soldiers. It all started with some young kids who seemed to have been bothering the British soldiers, so they got so aggravated that they just attacked.It ended up turning into a big massacre of American colonies. This was an almost direct cause of the Revolutionary War.Another major event was the Boston Tea Party, in 1773, which was the name given to the massive dumping of tea into the Boston Harbor. The American colonists had dressed up as Native Americans and did that as a result of the huge taxes that the British were imposing on their common products. This was another major cause of the Revolutionary War. As a result of these events, the Intolerable Acts were passed. The Intolerable Acts, also known as the Coercive Acts, included the Massachusetts Government act (which made almost all of the positions in the government to be appointed), Administrative Justice Act (which gave the governor of Massachusetts the right to transfer any trial in Great Britain), Boston Port Act (which closed the Boston Port), and the Quartering act (which required that troops be housed in commercial and empty buildings as well as occupied buildings). The Quebec Act was also passed in 1774. The First Continental Congress was also created during this time. The Battles of Lexington and Concord was very significant during this time. They were the first battles of the Revolutionary War. This caused the outbreak of fighting between the British and the thirteen colonies. The British were very well trained and had a very big army, which was an advantage of their army. But the American colonies had a very good military leader, which was George Washington.
Leslie, do you think virtual representation (or actual representation in parliament) would have worked if the colonists had adopted it? Do you think they could have been convinced to adopt it?
mre wrote: Leslie, do you think virtual representation (or actual representation in parliament) would have worked if the colonists had adopted it? Do you think they could have been convinced to adopt it?
I second mr e's question for an easy post JUST kidding
mre wrote: Leslie, do you think virtual representation (or actual representation in parliament) would have worked if the colonists had adopted it? Do you think they could have been convinced to adopt it?
I don't really get what you're asking. Im sorry Mr. E but today Im kinda out of it! Could you maybe explain what you're asking a little better? thank you!!
Leslie, I have heard some people say that the only reason we really had a problem with Britian was that Parliment was trying to stop smuggling and end salutary neglect. This theory comes from the fact that almost every revolutionary leader was a smuggler. What is your opinion?
Jarred wrote: Leslie, I have heard some people say that the only reason we really had a problem with Britian was that Parliment was trying to stop smuggling and end salutary neglect. This theory comes from the fact that almost every revolutionary leader was a smuggler. What is your opinion?
I agree with that to some extent. I think that we mostly had a problem with Britian because they were much too controlling about everything that happened in the colonies. It was almost like they had to know exactly what was going on at all times and the colonies just wanted to be independent from that tight control that they had over us. but i do agree with the fact that one of the reasons was because of the smuggling. I don't know did i kind of answer your question?!
OK, this is a stupid question, but where are the Articles of Confederation in relation to all that's going on in this chapter? and First Continental Congress... someone care to elaborate?
I know there were a LOT of things that went on in this chapter, but let me tell you, if I were living during this time period and had to house a soldier in my house because of the Quartering Act, I wouldn't be too happy! =] I mean ya, they would be helping their soldiers, but it's not like at this time the people were getting much out of it anyways. They were getting bombed with so many acts and taxes, why would they want to help out with anything if they were just getting punished with everything? This was probably a confusing time because I'm sure that there were people who still wanted to remain under British control, or still felt some loyalty to the British throne. British was trying to gain more control by imposing more taxes, but there were probably mixed feelings about the British control on the colonies.
OK, this is a stupid question, but where are the Articles of Confederation in relation to all that's going on in this chapter? and First Continental Congress... someone care to elaborate?
ill take on explaining the first continental congress.
this group was delegates from all 13 colonies. they met in philadelpia and included some popular characters such as john adams, benjamin franklin and thomas jefferson. it was the group that wrote the declaration of independence, and eventually vote for america to fight for her freedom from the british. for more information i highly suggest the movie 1776, which is the best revolution themed musical ive watched on vhs. youll love it zooey.
the boston massacre wasn't really a "massacre". A group of young colonists were throwing snow balls at British troops and after much taunting, the soldiers fired upon people in the crowd. The first to die was Crispus Attucks. Only a few people were killed and wounded. However, thanks to Paul Revere and his excellent Artistic skills, he designed a work of art that displayed the Massacre in a very exaggerated and gruesome way.
OK, this is a stupid question, but where are the Articles of Confederation in relation to all that's going on in this chapter? and First Continental Congress... someone care to elaborate?
ill take on explaining the first continental congress.
this group was delegates from all 13 colonies. they met in philadelpia and included some popular characters such as john adams, benjamin franklin and thomas jefferson. it was the group that wrote the declaration of independence, and eventually vote for america to fight for her freedom from the british. for more information i highly suggest the movie 1776, which is the best revolution themed musical ive watched on vhs. youll love it zooey.
I was about to say "Thank You!" until I read that last line. not my name. haha
Why do you think Britian thought they had the right to control us when they were 3000 miles away and didn't control us for a long time?
Really I think Britian did have the right to control us even though we were 3000 miles away, we were colonies of England. They really shouldnt have started all of a sudden when they saw that they colonies were prosperous. It doesnt matter now, the colonists won.
Committees of correspondence-The first was set up by Samuel Adams in 1772 in Boston, Massachusetts. It ended up spreading throughout the colonies. The commitees purpose was to spread information and keep the opposition against the British alive and strong.
