VCE History Revolutions - American Revolution Exam Notes PDF

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The American Revolution - 1754 to 1789(OUTCOME 1; French and Indian War to the Declaration of Independence 1776)(OUTCOME 2; Declaration of Independence to the acceptance of the Bill of Rights 1789)####### CAUSES EVENTS IDEAS INDIVIDUALS POPULAR MOVEMENTSBLUE= PERSPECTIVES,BLACK= INTERPRETATIONSAOS 1...

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The American Revolution - 1754 to 1789 (OUTCOME 1; French and Indian War to the Declaration of Independence 1776) (OUTCOME 2; Declaration of Independence to the acceptance of the Bill of Rights 1789)

BLUE = PERSPECTIVES, BLACK = INTERPRETATIONS

British rule over colonies: ➔ In the end it made war inevitable. (Hugh Brogan) French and Indian War: ➔ Britain had spent itself close to bankruptcy (Edward Countryman) ➔ Parliament proclaimed its unlimited authority over the colonies (Edward G. Gray) ➔ (Native Americans) ‘may..be a formidable enemy to ...American militia’ (General Edward braddock to Franklin, 1755) Proclamation Act: ➔ ‘almost no one took it seriously.’ (Ethan Fishman) Albany Congress: ➔ ‘Defensive union…(was of) primary importance to the colonies’ (Roger R. Trask) Revenue Acts: ➔ ‘specific purpose of raising money in the colonies’ (Howard Zinn) ➔ ‘touched off a heavy flurry of pamphleteering’ (Bernard Bailyn) ➔ For Dickinson “a ‘tax was a tax’ ➔ (Britain)’...had no right to tax the colonies in any way.’ (Edward Countryman) ➔ ‘No taxation without representation’ (James Otis) ➔ ‘destructive to liberty of these colonies.’ (Letters from a Farmer) ➔ ‘(tax) ...infringements of their natural and constitutional rights’ (Sam Adams, Circular Letter 1768) Stamp Act Congress: ➔ ‘mobilized colonial opinion’ (Keith Olsen) Boston Massacre: ➔ ‘Aroused American passions’ (Gordon S. Wood) ➔ ‘The American cause now had martyrs.’ (Alan Farmer) ➔ ‘Exploited by radical spokesmen’ (Pauline Maier) Boston Tea Party: ➔ ‘town meetings and mass meetings rose in opposition.’ (Howard Zinn) ➔ ‘We are now to establish our authority’ (Lord North) ➔ ‘an epoch in history.’ (John Adams) Coercive Acts: ➔ ‘The colonies must either submit or triumph’ (George II) ➔ ‘Convinced Americans...that Parliament had no more right to make laws for them than to tax them.’ (Gordon Wood)

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First Continental Congress Philadelphia: ➔ ‘demonstrate the transformation of political life over a relatively short period’ (Edward G. Grey) ➔ ‘had no legislative authority’ (Michael Lee Lanning) ➔ ‘ attempted to solve American differences’ (Michael Lee Lanning) ➔ ‘All America . . . Waited in anxious hope and expectation the decisions of a continental congress’ (Mercy Otis Warren) Second Continental Congress: ➔ ‘Helped create a society unlike any that had existed before’ (Gordon Wood) Thomas Paine, Common Sense ➔ ‘made the first bold argument for independence’ (Howard Zinn) ➔ ‘Sold 12,000 copies’ (Alan Farmer) ➔ ‘TIS TIME TO PART.’ (T. Paine, Common Sense) Declaration of Independence ➔ ‘Brilliant expression of Enlightenment ideas.’ (Gordon Wood) ➔ ‘Jeffreson had produced a masterpiece.’ (Hugh Brogan) ➔ ‘All men are created equal.’ ➔ ‘Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.’

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Treaty of Paris ➔ ‘Made no mention of Native Americans.’ (Raphael) ‘America’s post war economic slump was inevitable.’ (Trask) Shay’s Rebellion ➔ ‘Medicine necessary for the health of the government.’ (Jeferson) ➔ ‘Exposed a line of stress that ran through all the states’ (Countryman) Articles of Confederation ➔ ‘Created a weak central government’ (Toohey and Butcher) ➔ ‘Creators were politically naive  Federalists’ (Jensen) The Philadelphia Convention ➔ ‘Subtle and complex changes, compromises, revisions and adjustments’ (Bernard Bailyn) Constitution + Ratification ➔ ‘The most...significant...of objection... was the absence of a Bill of Rights.’ (Richard Hofstader) ➔ ‘(The Constitution) was not democratic’ (Countryman) ➔ ‘the Constitution would save Congress as wells as the states.’ (Wood) The Bill of Rights ➔ ‘Guard against the dangerous encroachments of power’ (Mercy Otis Warren) ➔ ‘Ensured equality in new society for wealthy only.’ (Zinn) GROUP Women

QUOTES ● ● ●

Native Americans

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Abigail Adams - ‘Do not put such unlimited power in ...hands of husbands.’ Wood - ‘commercial expansion led to greater financial freedom.’ Foner - ‘(the revolution) did not undo the obedience to which male heads of household were entitled’ Zinn - Americans now assumed Indian land was theirs. Thompson - Disregarded, dispossessed, exploited and murdered.

Patriots

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Martin Lipset - no radical change in social order or ...redistribution of wealth

African Americans/Slaves

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Beard's - the South’s love of slavery was because the south had evolved as a primarily agricultural economy.

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a broad and vast group whether it ranges from a specific amount of states and/or countries that have been ruled over by a single monarchy. a system in which a country attempts to compile their wealth through trade with other countries, based on the belief that the colonies of empire exist only for the financial benefit of the mother-country. This put restrictions on how colonists spent their money, what goods they could produce and who they could trade with. (BRITAIN SEES COLONIES = $) an export is the sale of goods to a foreign country. Exporting helps grow national economies and expands the global market. an import is the purchase of foreign manufactured goods in the buyer's domestic market. a country or area under the full or partial political control of another country and occupied by settlers from that country. type of structure in government although ideally, a state or a nation in which the supreme power that has a monarch at the head. legislation is the act or process of making or enacting laws. It can refer to a single law (also known as a statute) or a collection of laws. When a group wants to govern itself as well as a person who wishes to make independent choices - FREEDOM, SELF-GOVERNING an act of armed resistance where they rise up and fight those who have more power (usually that are on a larger scale) over anyone else. Usually directed towards an authorised government or leader. to rise up to go against an authority or a government. The action when going against the authority or government tends to be more violent and very uncivilised. a forcible overthrow of a government or social order, in favour of a new system. person who is a supporter/is loyal to the BRITISH economy. person who gives main support/loyalty to the AMERICAN colonies

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THE THIRTEEN COLONIES: Why did Great Britain require an empire in the 17th and 18th centuries? Great Britain's primary reasons of wanting an empire during the 17th and 18th centuries can be subdivided into four key ideas; TERRITORY, RESOURCES, TAXATION AND POWER. ● 13 colonies – lack of unity. Most had own charter. ● Also colonised by France and Spain ● Culturally diverse population ● Vast differences between colonies (accents, clothing, economies etc) ● Mutual suspicion caused conflict with Native American Indians ● Slavery existed ● Religious freedom (unless you were Catholic) ● Degree of self-determination and self-sufficient mindset had developed as initially colonies established by those seeking to be free of direct control from state or church authorities SOCIAL STRUCTURE ● Less rigid class system ● Snobbery and deference still existed BUT ● Social mobility possible ● ‘American dream’ – rise up social ladder based on drive and motivation ● Meritocracy rather than aristocracy - (Benjamin Franklin was the son of a candlestick maker) ● Land availability = opportunities In theory – Britain ruled America In practice – American colonists governed themselves through provincial government, with a colonial governor who reported to the King. This was known as “Salutary neglect” ● ● ● ●

Britain has been essentially ignoring America System of mercantilism benefited Britain As long as they were making money American colonists had been used to a degree of self-government.

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uNjUSt TrEaTmENt, POpuLAr MOveMEnTs, COnFliCtINg IDeAs, UN-unIFiEd GOveRnMEnT, EConOMic ISsuES, COunTrY WAnTinG POweR/cONtRol ● ● ●

Belief that colonies existed to purely benefit the mother country ($) Laws enforced by Admiralty courts in colonies Designed to prevent smuggling, piracy and ensure payment of duties to England people could be trialed if they were caught not doing the right thing.

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Created internal problems in the colonies. Colonial merchants felt trade restrictions denied them profit - they felt that they could trade very profitably with other european powers present in that area like French, dutch and spanish. They felt it was unfair that Britain restricted colonial trade with Britain ONLY - infringement of NATURAL RIGHTS = Smuggling and illegal trade became common. The colonists were used to a fairly large degree of AUTONOMY until present due to French and Indian War.

WhY?

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Restrictions on trade, Americans restricted to trading with Britain (TRIANGULAR TRADE). Goods made in America to be sold in Britain. Manufactured goods for the colonies to be purchased in Britain.

Salutary Neglect (up until 1763) - Britain employed in dealing with colonies up until end of French and Indian War where colonies had degree of autonomy. Britain to concerned with expanding colonies so colonists enjoyed autonomy and self-government. ● There were colonial assemblies in each of the colonies (GOVERNING THE COLONIES) = ○ Difficult to closely govern - they are not necessarily focused on doing so which is why the royal governor is there as the highest authority to act, however, they can be coerced. ○ Distance from Britain the largest problem ○ Royal governor in each colony ○ King’s representative and highest authority ○ Implemented and enforced British policy ○ Managed day-to-day affairs of colonies Colonists were very involved in self government, more so than in Britain. Colonial assemblies = elected by property = owning men over 21. Assemblies could raise taxes, pass laws and regulations on local matters. HOWEVER: ○ Often conflict between colonial assemblies and royal governors, particularly as tension increases later on. The relationship is very conflix and that relationship let to aggitaton in the colonies - UNFOLDING LONG TERM CAUSE. ○ Assemblies able to coerce or influence governors ○ Assemblies were responsible for governor’s salary ●

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Some colonists joined the British military - Some saw conflict as an ‘imperial matter’ - should be played out by Britain and France instead of British colonists. Purpose: to eject French from America Reluctant to fight or support it FRANKLIN - Come together in Albany for union (Albany Plan) = If you don’t unit together, join together - ‘Join or Die.’ To combat French + survive union needed but plan fails as some are not interested in the plan of unity.

Prevent settlement territory difficult to control or govern = all who had settled west of the proclamation line that ran through the Appalachian mountains ordered to return east.

COloNIal REsPonSE: ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

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Some colonists (particularly new settlers and land speculators) were angered. Desire to expand further into the west (Ohio Valley). Colonists believed it was their right to expand following victory over the French. Despite anger, only temporary. Difficult to enforce Act, no government control or police of the frontier Some colonists ignored the act and crossed the line.

MOLASSES = British know everyone needs this product for alcohol as it could be considered liquid sugar. Also known as the American Revenue Act - passed by Parliament in 1764. Imposed duties on foreign sugar and and enforced customs duties. Britain wished to regulate American colonial trade. American merchants were trading sugar and molasses with French colonies and avoiding most of the incumbent (the duties that already exist) duties. The Sugar Act was an attempt to short circuit their smuggling by REDUCING tax (from sixpence to threepence) per gallon. Make British product cheaper for Americans = undercutting appeal of French Molasses. COLONIES HAVE AUTONOMY TAKEN AWAY FROM THEM ‘Writs of Assistance’ = search warrants with no expiry dates, with any suspicion could raid any property = imposed on people’s liberty and felt that they were being controlled. 1761 CHALLENGED THE LEGALITY OF THE WRITS OF ASSISTANCE, ACTING ON BEHALF OF 63 MERCHANTS. ○ Otis argued that the writs were ‘against the fundamental principles of law’ and breached English rights which had been established as far back as the Magna Carta (1215) (First document established for people rights at a most basic level). Primary Source (Historical Perspective) ○ “but duties as high as are laid by this Act, cannot by any means . . . Be collected, being vastly greater than the trade itself can possibly bear . . . “ – Stephen Hopkins, Governor of Rhode Island. Secondary Source Evidence ○ “The Sugar Act (Grenville’s American revenue Act) was parliament's first law for the specific purpose of raising money in the colonies” (Howard Zinn) Reason – British Action – Colonial Reaction – British Response . . .

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No decision prompted more revolutionary fervour than the Stamp Act: from the colonial elite to common artisans and sailors, from the cities to the remote villages, ordinary people and their leaders spoke up and out against the new tax. ● Most famous slogan = ‘no taxation without representation’, a phrase (dating from 1750) adopted by James Otis, Richard Bland, Patrick Henry and more. ● Despite the turmoil it caused in America, parliaments introduction of a stamp tax as not unusual. Stamp duties had been applied in Britain since 1689, largely as an EMERGENCY MEASURE TO FUND WARS. ● Bills of sale, deeds, titles, mortgages, contracts, wills. Insurance policies and sundry other items were legally void until they bore evidence that the appropriate duty had been paid. ● Imposing a stamp tax on America was, therefore, considered a minor reform by those who passed it - THEY FORECAST THE COLLECTION OF £60 000. ● The idea floated mid-1764 in colonies which signalled intent to raise revenue in America. Most colonial registered opposition to any stamp tax but could suggest no other option, so the parliament began working on the bill. ● WHEN THE STAMP ACT PASSED INTO LAW = FRANKLIN TRANSFORMED ALMOST OVERNIGHT FROM A COLONIAL RIGHTS ADVOCATE TO A SELF-INTERESTED ENTREPRENEUR.

● In terms of being a cause of a revolution, the Enlightenment directly inspired both the American and French revolution due to its ideals and certain individuals. Voltaire, a French philosopher, revolved around advocating freedom of thought and he fought against injustice and inequality. Alongside him, an English philosopher, John Locke, had similar values and believed that "all mankind... being all equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty or possessions.

COloNIal REsPonSE: Again, the colonists were angered. Boycott of british goods again. Non-importation agreements strengthen protest Active Protests to British Parliament (Circular Letter, Letters of a Farmer - ideas draw heavily on the enlightenment ideology, natural rights should not be infringed and it should be the duty of the government to protect these rights). ○ More violent protest - tarring and feathering = gave colonists hope that the act would be repealed. ● Increased British Redcoat presence in Boston which provokes great deal of dension for colonists. ○ Economic competition with British for Jobs = BOSTON MASSACRE

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COloNIal REsPonSE: ● Images emerge; Paul Revere ‘THE BLOODY MASSACRE’ (SONS OF LIBERTY) portrays British as murders before British accounts of events could be sent. ● POWER OF PROPAGANDA REALLY KICKS OF NOW. ● Duties removed same day as Boston Massacre ● Severe slump in trade ● Duty on Tea remains

COloNIal REsPonSE: ● Force colonies to buy tea from East India Trading company ● Colonists outraged - INFRINGED NATURAL RIGHTS ● Didn’t feel like Parliament had the right to restrict trade ● Boycott of British tea ● Smuggling of foreign tea BOSTON TEA PARTY 1773

COloNIal REsPonSE: ● ● ● ● ● ●

Colonists label them the ‘Intolerable Acts’ Active protests sent to the King Virginians supports leads to dissolution of House of Burgesses and meeting at Raleigh Meeting called for a continental congress to discuss the crisis Massachusetts House of Representatives echo this call The first unified meeting of the 13 colonies was destined to take place.

BrITisH rESpoNsE: ● KING AND BRITISH PARLIAMENT DID NOT FALTER ● British begin raising their army to prepare for walls.

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The American Revolution from 1754 to 4 July 1776 (French + Indian War to the Declaration of Independence 1776)

“On completion of this unit the student should be able to analyse the causes of revolution, and evaluate the contribution of significant ideas, events, individuals and popular movements.”

● What were the significant causes of revolution? ● How did the actions of popular movements and particular individuals contribute to triggering a revolution? ● To what extent did social tensions and ideological conflicts contribute to the outbreak of revolution?

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1754 May: Col. George Washington of the Virginia militia attacks a French force in Pennsylvania, initiating the French and Indian War. June: Albany Congress - delegates from NINE of the 13 colonies meet in New York to discuss the growing crisis. ★ ○ On July 10, 1754, representatives from seven of the British North American colonies adopted the plan. ○ The British Government in London had ordered the colonial governments to meet in 1754, initially because of a breakdown in negotiations between the colony of New York and the Mohawk nation, which was part of the Iroquois Confederation ○ The Albany Plan of Union was a plan to place the British North American colonies under a more centralized government ○ The Albany Plan was the first important proposal to conceive of the colonies as a collective whole united under one government. ○ The plan proposed the union of all the British colonies except for Georgia and Delaware. The colonial governments were to select members of a "Grand Council," while the British Government would appoint a "president General." When was the Albany Plan proposed?

It was proposed in 1754 (circa 10th of July)

Who proposed the Albany Plan?

Benjamin Franklin

What were the main features of the Albany Plan? (list 5)

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Renewal of friendship between the colonies and Six Nations Representation of the present state of the colonies - 12 part document Formation of the Albany Plan of Union Rejected by all seven colonial assemblies Encouraging unity amongst the colonies - potentially threatening their independence

What was the purpose/goal of the Albany Plan?

To create a unification of 13 colonies - place the British North American colonies under a more centralised government.

How did the Albany Plan challenge colonial identity and autonomy?

The Albany plan challenged the colonial identity and autonomy because it was trying to get all of the colonies to unite, which would in turn restrict their individual power and control over the different colonies

Why did the Albany Plan fail?

Albany plan failed because the colonies were afraid of losing their own self government. The British also dropped the pl...