U.S. History I - From Discontent to Revolution | History

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Study GuideU.S. History I–Creating a New Nation1. Discontent in the ColoniesAfter 1763, the relationship between Britain and its American colonies began to change. What hadonce seemed like a strong partnership slowly turned into conflict. Let’s explore why this happened andhow colonial resistance began to grow.1.1Britain’s Growing Empire—and Its Growing ProblemsBy1763, Britain had become a global power, with territory stretching fromIndia to North Americaand the Caribbean. Winning this empire, especially through theSeven Years’ War, was expensive.Britain faced:•Massive war debt•Already high taxes at home•New costs to govern and protect its expanded landsBritish leaders believed theAmerican colonies should help payfor these expenses. From Britain’spoint of view, this seemed fair. The colonies hadprospered during the war, especially by supplyingthe British military.The colonists, however, had their own expectations. They wanted:•Free access to western lands•Continued control over their local governmentsAlthough most colonists still thought of themselves asloyal English subjects, a strongerAmericanidentitywas beginning to form. During the war, colonial assemblies had gained more power bydemanding concessions from royal governors. After experiencing this independence, colonists wereno longer sure they wanted to return to being passive subjects of the empire.

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Study Guide1.2Trouble in the West: Pontiac’s RebellionTheSeven Years’ Warhad started over control of theOhio River Valley, and that region quicklybecame a problem for Britain after the war ended.Native American tribes understood that British victory meantmore settlers moving onto their land.In1763, an Ottawa leader namedPontiacorganized a coalition of tribes to resist British expansion.This uprising, known asPontiac’s Rebellion, caused major unrest:•Eight British forts were captured•British settlements were threatened, includingDetroit and PittsburghIn a brutal response, British forces distributedsmallpox-infected blanketsto Native Americans—anearly and disturbing example of biological warfare. Although Pontiac did not formally make peace until1766, Parliament tried to calm tensions sooner through new policies.1.3The Proclamation of 1763To prevent further conflict, Britain issued theProclamation of 1763. This law:•Drew a boundary along theAppalachian Mountains•Banned settlers and traders from moving west without permissionThe goal was to separate colonists from Native American lands and reduce violence. Colonists,however, saw the proclamation as an attack on theirland claims. Many ignored it and continuedmoving west. Within a few years, Britain negotiated treaties that opened large parts ofNew York,Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Virginiato settlement, making the proclamation largely ineffective.1.4New Taxes and Tighter ControlThe Proclamation of 1763 signaled Britain’s desire totighten controlover the colonies. TheSugarAct of 1764reinforced this message.For over a century, theNavigation Actshad regulated trade mainly to protect British commerce, notto raise money. The Sugar Act changed that. Officially called theAmerican Revenue Act, it aimed togenerate income by:•Lowering the tax on foreign molasses•Cracking down on smuggling•Usingvice-admiralty courts, which denied colonists jury trials

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Study Guide1.5The Stamp Act: A Turning PointThe situation worsened with theStamp Act of 1765. This law required colonists to buyspecialstamped paperfor:•Legal documents•Newspapers•Business contracts•Playing cardsAlmost everyone was affected, and violators faced harsh penalties. Unlike earlier taxes, the StampAct was aninternal tax, meaning it directly taxed everyday activities inside the colonies. This made itespecially unpopular.1.6“No Taxation Without Representation”Some British leaders, includingWilliam Pitt, opposed the Stamp Act. They argued it violated theprinciple ofno taxation without representation.Prime MinisterGeorge Grenvilledisagreed. He claimed colonists werevirtually representedinParliament—that lawmakers represented all British subjects, even those who did not vote for them.Colonists strongly rejected this idea. They argued that without American representatives inParliament, British lawmakers could not truly understand or represent colonial interests.1.7Colonial Resistance GrowsColonists responded quickly and forcefully to the Stamp Act:•TheVirginia House of Burgesses, led byPatrick Henry, passed resolutions against it•Protest groups called theSons of Libertyorganized demonstrations•Stamp distributors werehung in effigy, and some had their homes destroyedInOctober 1765, delegates from nine colonies met at theStamp Act Congress. They agreed thatParliament could make laws for the colonies butcould not impose direct taxes.As the law’s start date approached, colonists simplyrefused to use the stampsand launched aboycott of British goods. Faced with economic disruption, royal officials stopped enforcing the law.

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Study Guide1.8Repeal—and a WarningBritish merchants, hurt by the boycott, pressured Parliament to act. InMarch 1766, Parliamentrepealed the Stamp Act. However, it passed theDeclaratory Actat the same time, stating clearly thatParliament still had the right to make laws for the colonies.This showed that Britain had backed down for practical reasons, not because it accepted colonialarguments.1.9The Townshend DutiesIn1767,Charles Townshendbecame prime minister. Although he had opposed the Stamp Act, hestill believed the colonies should help raise revenue.TheTownshend Actsplaced taxes on imported goods such as:•Glass•Lead•Paper•Paint•TeaTownshend believed theseexternal taxeswould be accepted. Colonists disagreed. WriterJohnDickinson, in hisLetters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania, argued that only colonial assemblies hadthe right to raise revenue.Townshend also created theAmerican Board of Customs Commissioners, whose agents becamewidely disliked for:•Spying on colonists•Issuing heavy fines•Seizing property for minor violations

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