Download Chapter 7 Learning Objective THE ROAD TO REVOLUTION: 1763

CHAPTER 7
The Road to Revolution, 1763–1775
FOCUS QUESTIONS
1.
What role did mercantilism play in creating discord between British authorities and the
colonists?
2.
How did the colonies respond to Grenville’s laws, specifically the Stamp Act?
3.
What events resulted in British soldiers landing in Boston and being involved in the Boston
Massacre?
4.
How did the British respond to the Boston Tea Party?
5.
Where did the British soldiers and American colonists clash in April 1775?
6.
What were the advantages and disadvantages of Britain on the eve of the American
Revolution?
7.
What were the advantages and disadvantages of the American colonists on the eve of the
American Revolution?
CHAPTER THEMES
Theme: Tension between the colonies and Britain centered on the issues of mercantilism and its
implementation. The British Empire attempted to more strictly enforce laws aimed at maintaining
a system of mercantilism, while colonists objected to this change from the earlier salutary neglect.
Theme: The American Revolution occurred because the American colonists, who had long been
developing a strong sense of autonomy and self-government, furiously resisted British attempts to
impose tighter imperial controls and higher taxes after the end of the French and Indian War in
1763. The sustained conflict over political authority and taxation, enhanced by American
agitators and British bungling, gradually moved Americans from asserting rights within the
British Empire to openly warring with the mother country.
Theme: At the outset of the Revolutionary War, Britain appeared to be a mighty empire, but it
was weaker than it seemed at first glance. Poor leadership in London, along with second-rate
generals in the colonies, reduced the impact of the larger British population and its naval
supremacy. Americans, on the other hand, had many advantages such as George Washington’s
leadership and fighting a defensive war. However, the colonists also faced disorganization,
jealousy, and economic difficulties.
Essay Questions
1.
Samuel Adams remarked, “We cannot make events. Our business is wisely to
improve them.” What did Adams mean? Use the quotation to write an essay
describing what some of the events were and, more specifically, the techniques
Adams and others used to “improve” them.
2.
Was the dispute over taxation and representation a noble appeal to the principles
of freedom, or merely an issue of the pocketbook? Discuss the motivations of the
revolutionaries.
3.
In what different ways did the Declaration of Independence justify the colonies
break with Great Britain? Provide specific examples from the Declaration of
Independence and from actual events that relate to those examples.
4.
About a third of the colonists were considered Loyalists. What was their
justification of not wanting to join the side of the patriots? Provide specific
examples and assess their arguments. Were they based on emotions or reality?
Study Questions
The Deep Roots of Revolution
1.
Why does the author say that the American Revolution began when the first settlers stepped ashore?
Mercantilism and Colonial Grievances
Know: Mercantilism, Navigation Laws, Royal Veto
2.
Explain the economic theory of mercantilism and the role of colonies.
3.
How did Parliament enact the theory of mercantilism into policy?
The Merits and Menace of Mercantilism
Know: Salutary Neglect, John Hancock, Bounties
4.
In what ways did the mercantilist theory benefit the colonies?
5.
What economic factors were involved in leading colonists to be displeased with the British
government?
The Stamp Tax Uproar
Know: George Grenville, Sugar Act, Quartering Act, Stamp Act, Admiralty Courts, Virtual Representation
6.
Why were the colonists so upset over relatively mild taxes and policies?
Forced Repeal of the Stamp Act
Know: Stamp Act Congress, Nonimportation Agreements, Homespun, Sons of Liberty, Declaratory Act
7.
In what ways did colonists resist the Stamp Act?
The Townshend Tea Tax and the Boston "Massacre"
Know: Townshend Acts, Indirect Tax, Boston Massacre, John Adams
8.
How did the Townshend Acts lead to more difficulties?
The Seditious Committees of Correspondence
Know: George III, Lord North, Samuel Adams, Committees of Correspondence
9.
How did Committees of Correspondence work?
Tea Brewing in Boston
Know: British East India Company, Boston Tea Party
10.
What was the cause of the Boston Tea Party, and what was its significance?
Parliament Passes the "Intolerable Acts"
Know: Boston Port Act, Massachusetts Government Act, Administration of Justice Act, Quartering Act of
1774, Quebec Act
11.
What was so intolerable about the Coercive (Intolerable) Acts?
Bloodshed
Know: First Continental Congress, Declaration of Rights, The Association, Tar and Feathers, Minute Men,
Lexington and Concord
12.
What was the goal of the First Continental Congress?
Imperial Strength and Weakness
Know: Hessians, Tories
13.
What were British strengths and weaknesses at the outset of the war?
American Pluses and Minuses
Know: George Washington, Ben Franklin, Marquis de Lafayette, Continentals
14.
What were the American strengths and weaknesses at the outset of the war?
A Thin Line of Heroes
Know: Valley Forge, Baron von Steuben, Continental Army
15.
What role was played by African-Americans in the Revolution?