Britain+and+the+American+Colonies

=Britain and the American Colonies = =THE BEGINNINGS OF REVOLUTIONARY THINKING= =1.1 The Impact of Enlightenment in Europe= How did the old ways change in the Colonies? --Europe was forever changed by the ideas of Isaac Newton and John Locke. Newton’s laws of gravity and motion were terms of natural laws beyond spiritual force, and Locke declared the right of people to change a government that did not protect natural rights of life, liberty and property. The existence of God and predestined human beings to eternal damnation was being questioned and empower a tyrant for a king. This was known as the Age of Reason. These ideas became known to America, where there was a chance of flourishing without the shackles of Old Europe. The Anglicans and Puritan Congregationalists were noticing the similarities rather than the differences, even Cotton Mather, a minister who wrote and spoke convincingly about the existence of witches advocated science to immunize citizens against smallpox, started realizing the similarities. By the end of the century, many New England ministers would become Unitarians, doubting the divinity of Christ.

How did the Enlightenment thinking influence this? --the enlightenment influenced the smugglers to go against the English law, to change the thinking of the people. Similarities between churches were being noticed, people started thinking for themselves and wondering if there really was a God, and people started believing in a king who was right for the job instead of divine right, and if the government didn’t do their duty to the people, they would find a new one.

//**1.2. The Great Awakening - Kenneth Lin**//
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1.3. THE TRIAL OF JOHN PETER ZENGER
__** The Trial of John Peter Zenger - Sophie **

__ The main issue in the Zenger case was that he printed a publication called the //New York Weekly Journal,// which pointed out the corrupt actions of the current governor, William S. Cosby. The publication accused Cosby and the government of rigging the elections to ensure his win, and allowing French enemies to explore the harbor. Basically, it pointed out all the flaws of the governor and exposed his corruptness. Thus, he was accused of libel. __ At first, the jury consisted of people from Cosby’s payroll, which Anna, Zenger’s wife, eventually exposed with the use of the press. Thus, the people in the jury were replaced with Zenger’s peers. By having a jury of peers, they were able to defend Zenger. Andrew Hamilton, one of those most famous lawyers of the time, defended him, saying that Zenger did print the publications, and demanded that the court prove the allegations in the publications false. In less than ten minutes, Zenger was proven not guilty. __This allowed for freedom of the press, which was later included in a passage of the First Amendment. After this, publishers were free to express their opinions and their honest views. Freedom of the press became extremely important during the American Revolution.__ 
 * 1) **** What was the main issue in the Zenger case? **__
 * 2) **** How did a jury of peers influence the outcome? **__
 * 3) **** What impact did this have on Colonial Society? **__

1.4. Smuggling- Samson Soon
How did the British Navigation Acts promote smuggling? 1) British Navigation Acts is the law that was passed, which asked(more appropriate word is "forced") their colonies to refrain from manufacturing products, and that they can only get their manufacture products from Great Britain. 2) Because they were colonies and were poor during this period of time, they did not have the money to pay. Also, with the British Navigation Acts, the UK discouraged their colonies from purchasing products from other countries. They then seized the opportunity to price their manufactured products to ridiculously high prices, thus increasing the profit.

What is Salutary Neglect? 1) A policy which Britain followed. Here, the UK passed laws where were almost impossible to enforce in an efficient manner. For example, it cost four times more to collect the tax than the tax payment they were about to receive.

How did the period of Salutary Neglect Influence Colonial attitudes? 1) This period of Salutary Neglect made the colonies care less about the laws set by the British. This is because not only was it almost impossible to enforce, but also, even if the citizens were caught smuggling, they would be freed by the American juries. This attitude pathed the way to the ultimate rebellion towards the UK, the Revolutionay War.

1.5. TRADITION OF REBELLION //by Daniel Plafker//
n How did a tradition of rebellion influence social attitudes? o The tradition of rebellion amongst early American settlers meant that the people in the colonies at the time began to form a culture of people who were not afraid to take up arms when they felt their rights were being violated and were not afraid to protect their own interests over that of the Crown. n What were motivating factors in the rebellions? o All of these clashes resulted from people feeling that their rights were being violated in some way. This included lack of political representation, over-taxation, economic exploitation or any other violation of rights or taking advantage of by the powers that be against the common man. n How can the phrase ‘don’t tread on me’ be interpreted? o Most strikingly, it is a phrase that could be perceived as a warning against any would-be abuser of rights to think again before attempting to in any way subvert the liberties of an American settler. It is a very assertive and defensive phrase that essentially means that anyone trying to mess with the American settler can expect armed retaliation.

1.6. What is the American?
__Jade Chen - The American Colonies were much more diverse- in one area, there were inhabitants from England, Wales, Germany, as well as Native Americans and those of African descent. - Even though the article didn't directly explain what a melting pot is, I guessed that it meant when people of different cultures, races and religions come together to form a multi-ethnic society and become more similar as they interact with each other. The first American melting pot was Pennsylvania. - When the different cultures began to belnd, the bond between the Americans and the English weakened and their culture and religions were extremely dissimilar from those of England. Their loyalties started to lie within themselves.__
 * How did the colonial populations differ from the European populations they left behind?**
 * What is meant by the tearm 'melting pot'?**
 * Where did the loyalties of these people lie?**

2.1 __**New France- Tiffany**__
__**How were the French colonies different from the British?** There were profound differences between New England and New France. The English colonies, though much smaller in area, dwarfed the French colonization in population. Louis XIV was a devout Catholic and tolerated no other faiths within the French Empire. French Huguenots, the dominant religious minority, therefore found no haven in New France. Land was less of an issue in France than England, so French peasants had less economic incentive to leave. The French Crown was far more interested in its holdings in the Far East and the sugar islands of the Caribbean, so the French monarchs did little to sponsor emigration to North America. Eventually, the sparse French population would be no match for the more numerous British colonists as the wars raged on. Unlike the English colonies where self-rule had been pursued immediately, the people of New France had no such privileges. There were no elected assemblies. Decisions were made by local magistrates on behalf of the French king. Trial by jury did not exist, nor did a free press. The French citizenry depended directly on the Crown for guidance. The English colonists depended on themselves. In the end, despite huge claims to North American lands, the French would be overwhelmed by more numerous, self-directed subjects of Britain.__

2.2 __**The French and indian War, Peter Ding**__
__How did William Pitt's promise to pay for the battle influence colonial participation? The British government gained support from the American colonists as William Pitt promised to pay for their expenses. The Americans were generally not interested in the war between the French and the British as the colonies on are the east coast and distant to the drums of battle. Only until the Albany Congress the Americans decided to side along with the British regulars and the Iroquois. What was the result? From the prejudice treatments from the British regulars such as not recognizing the American officers angered the conlonists and made them realize that they are different from the British. The war also brought unity and pride into the colonies giving them a sense of nationalism. How could this be dangerous for the British in the future? The British recognized it's colonies as money trees that are supposed to bring wealth to their mother country without resentment. This conventional Mercantillsim idea in England was opposed by it's colonies as it brought many burdens onto the Americans. Also the British regulars were segregated from the American militia and resented in protecting the colonies. The discontent among the two people grew as they fight along with each other. The war also brought a sense of unity to the colonists which influences the sparks of American Revolution. The colonial unity was subversive to the British's goals and discontent gradually build up which challenged the authority of British control over the colonies.__

2.3 George Washington - Kevin Chen
- George Washington was born in an extremely wealthy plantation owning family. Because his family owned such a vast amount of land, he enjoyed surveying the beautiful lands of Virginia. His continuous exposure to the beauty of his homeland led to his undying patriotism. - George Washington was asked as a lieutenant to ask French settlers to leave when the British felt that they were encroaching on their lands. However, when the French refused to leave, the Virginia governor commanded George Washington to forcefully dislodge the French. Washington's troops were defeated and he was forced to surrender. Only soon later, however, when the war's favor began to sway towards the British, Washington gathered enough troops to defeat the French at their Fort Duquesne (now Pittsburgh). - George Washington's first significant victory was this achievement at Fort Duquesne. He gained recognition as a capable militaristic leader, and soon was appointed the commander of America's continental army in the American Revolution.
 * What social class was George Washington born in?
 * What happened to George Washington at Fort Duquesne?
 * How did his experience at Fort Duquesne prepare him for the future?

2.5 The Royal Proclamation of 1763, Louise Smale
 Intro: - The Treaty of Paris, which marked the end of the French and Indian war, is what essentially led to the signing of The Royal Proclamation on October 7th 1763 by King George the third. -<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> <span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';">After the Treaty of Paris, Britain gained a considerably large amount of land. -<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> <span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';">However, what seemed to be a great deal for the British, gave rise to many conflicts. What did this Proclamation attempt to do? -<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> <span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';">The British tried to discourage American colonists from settling in the newly gained land. __<span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';">Why? __ -<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> <span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';">British already had difficulty controlling the American colonists just on the east. -<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> <span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';">If they moved west, they would stretch out the British administrative resources. -<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> <span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';">Although French government had surrendered their territory to Britain did not mean that all the French inhabitants would readily give up their land. -<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> <span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';">The Native Americans, who had allied themselves with the French during the Seven Years' War, continued to fight after the peace had been reached. -<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> <span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';">Last thing the British government wanted were hordes of American colonists crossing West resulting French and Native American resentment.

What did the colonists want at the end of the war? How did they react? -<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> <span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';">This solution did not address some concerns vitally important to the colonies. -<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> <span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';">American colonists had lost many to the French and Indian war. -<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> <span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';">And some had already settled in the West. -<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> <span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';">Some colonies had also begun planning on expanding their western boundaries. This also caused some tension amongst over colonies.

How did they react? -<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> <span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';">American colonists began to question the British Governments restrictions on expanding to the west. -<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> <span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';">They started thinking that it must be a plot to keep the American colonists under the imperial control and east of the mountains, where they could be watched. -<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> <span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';">American colonists still settled in westward. Because, how could the British possibly enforce this Royal Proclamation. -<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> <span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';">The Proclamation of 1763 merely became part of the long list of events in which the intent and actions of one side was misunderstood or disregarded by the other.

2.6 __The Stamp Act Controversy by Jaime and Daphne__ __- The Seven Years' War had been terribly costly. The British needed to tax the American colonists to cover the costs. - The taxes asked of the American colonists were lower than those asked of mainland English citizens. The revenue raised from taxing the colonies was used to pay for their own defense. The funds received from American colonists barely covered one-third of the cost of maintaining British troops in the 13 colonies. - Britain was exercising direct influence over colonial life. In addition to restricting westward movement, the parent country was actually enforcing its trade laws.<span style="background: yellow none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"> __ __- The Americans couldn’t see the purpose behind the British troops in the colonies when the French threat was gone. Thought the troops were only there to watch them. - Americans paid tax with much more in sweat than the British. The British’s further taxation seemed insulting to the Americans considering all the land that was cleared, the Indians who fought and the relatives who died building a colony that enhanced the British Empire. - Colonist began emotional appeals as well as political arguments. - When Parliament passed the Stamp Act caused the American activists sprang into action. The colonists boycotted the British goods.__
 * 1) __** Britain **** 's salutary neglect changed and now they pursued an interventionist policy with the colonies. Why? **__
 * 1) __** How did the colonists react? **__

__“That the colonists, black and white, born here are freeborn British subjects, and entitled to all the essential civil rights of such is a truth not only manifest from the provincial charters, from the principles of the common law, and acts of Parliament, but from the British constitution, which was re-established at the Revolution with a professed design to secure the liberties of all the subjects to all generations.” - James Otis, //The Rights of the British Colonies Asserted and Proved//, 1764 James Otis protested against the Acts and demanded rights for all the colonists. He stated that everyone was entitled to all the essential civil rights derived from the principles of common law, Parliament, and from the British constitution.
 * 1) __** What did James Otis demand in his statement? **__

4.__ ** __What are the Stamp and Quartering acts? How did the colonists react? -__ ** __The Stamp Act (passed on in March 1765) was the first direct tax on the American colonies. Every legal document had to be written on specially stamped paper. Not one contract was found legal in a court of law unless it was prepared on this paper specially stamped paper. Also, newspapers, dice, and playing cards had to bear proof of tax payment. - The Quartering Act required the American colonies to provide food and shelter for British troops.
 * -** The colonists didn’t like these acts and a Stamp Act Congress was convened in the colonies in order to decide what to do. The colonists put their words into action and started boycotts of British goods. People in radical groups such as the Sons and Daughters of Liberty also harassed tax collectors and those who didn’t cooperate with the boycotts. Eventually, the Stamp Act was repealed by the Parliament due to great amounts of pressure brought on by business-starved British merchants.__

==2.7 The Boston Patriots __** (Kat & Dong Eun) Why was Boston the center of the revolt? (Kat) **__ __ Boston was the center of revolt because of a combination of factors. Firstly, Boston was a major trading center therefore the Bostonians resented the restrictions on trade as they affected a majority of the citizens. It also has a legacy of religious quarrels with the Church of England and a long history of town meetings and self-rule making Bostonians more rebellious and aware of royal authority. Boston was also where demonstrations against the British authority took place such as the Boston Massacre and Boston Tea Party. Additionally, many fierce patriots mentioned later were all citizens of Boston. Together all these factors contributed to the formation of Boston as the leading voice against the British authority. ** Who were: James Otis, Sam Adams, John Adams, John Hancock and Paul Revere? **____ The mentioned gentlemen were all fierce patriots. // James Otis //____ was one of the first to openly oppose of British taxation policies. He wrote one of the first legal criticisms of Parliament’s taxation policies—The Right of the British Colonists Asserted and Proved. Although many in London viewed Otis as the head of treasonous American activity, Otis saw himself as one who was loyal to the English Constitution. When his loyalty was called to question, he stormed into Boston’s Royal Coffee House and was beaten so badly that he never recovered. //Sam Adams// was one of the fieriest supporter of American liberty in the 13 colonies. His skills as a politial organizer helped the colonies to become independent. He held the Boston town meetings which later on lead to the 'Tea party'('was a direct action protest by colonists in Boston, against the British government') //John Adams,// was Samuel's second cousin. As a delegate from Massachusetts to the Continental Congress, he played a leading role in persuading Congress to adopt the United States Declaration of Independence.As a representative of Congress in Europe, he was a major negotiator. He later on became the second president of the United States. //John Hancock// was one of the wealthiest man in 13 colonies.Thus Hancock used his wealth to support the colonies.He became famous after British officials seized his sloop //Liberty// in 1768 and charged him with smuggling. Although the charges against Hancock were eventually dropped, he has often been described as a smuggler in historical accounts, but the accuracy of this characterization has been questioned. He served as president of the Second Continental Congress. //Paul Revere// was from a humble background, silver smith; midnight ride alerted the colonists to the British march on Lexington and Concord.__==

2.8 The Townshend Acts
Relations between the Colonies and Britain after the Stamp Act Repeal were TENSE!

Declaratory Act - because the Parliament backed down on the Stamp Act, they wanted to re-assert thier right to make legislation for the colonies; the Declaratory act did just that, it was a statement that said that the Parliament had absolute right to make laws for the colonies.

The Colonists were put off by this, but generally agreed that it was OK for Parliament to make laws as long as they were not legislating TAXES!

Townshend Acts,1767 - a series of laws that enacted taxes on lead, paper, paint, glass and tea - initiated by Charles Townshend, Chancellor of the Exchecquer (British Treasury) -- taxes were to pay for the administrators that were placed in the colonies by the Crown -- appointed a board to oversee tax collections -- tried all offenders in Admiralty Courts - Crown Courts that did not have juries -- these new courts were not warmly received! colonists felt their right to due process were violated!!

Colonial Reaction - similar to the Stamp Act - tar and feathering tax collectors, **boycott** of British goods -- the boycott was so serious that they drafted the Non-Importation Acts - a statement refusing to buy British goods

-- Parliament sent British troops to Boston because they were worried about the reaction to this tax -- the troops were not warmly welcomed! The colonists felt threatened by British troops being stationed in Boston

-- British Merchants pleaded with the Parliament for repeal, they did in 1770, on all items but TEA!

<span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';">**__2.9 The Boston Massacre (March 5, 1770)__** __<span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';">: Chae Won Late in the afternoon, on March 5, a crowd of jeering Bostonians slinging snowballs gathered around a small group of British soldiers guarding the Boston Customs House. The soldiers became enraged after one of them had been hit, and they fired into the crowd, even though they were under orders not to fire. Five colonists were shot and killed. __<span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';">No, only five Boston civilians/colonists were shot by the British troops on March 5, 1770. It started with a minor cause however, although large-scale fighting between American minutemen and the British redcoats did not begin until 1775, the 1770 Boston Massacre  did give each side a taste of what was to come. <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';">__First to define propaganda, it is <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">the deliberate spreading of such information, rumors, etc. This can help spark the nationalists’ desire and while at the same time, give them motivation and burning passion. For example, the rumor of Boston Massacre helped spark the colonists' desire for American independence, while the dead rioters became martyrs for liberty.__
 * <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';">Q2: Was this a Massacre? **__
 * <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';">Q3: How can propaganda be used to spark nationalism? **__

2.10 __**"The Tea Act and Tea Parties" (Ji Eun)** //1. What happened in Boston Harbor?// Under the control of governor Thomas Hutchinson, a group of colonists disguised themselves as Native Americans, entered the harbor with 3 ships that were carrying tea, and threw 342 chests of tea into the water on a cold night of December 1773. According to one person who participated in this act, they first cut and split the chest of the tea leaves so that the tea leaves can be exposed thoroughly in the water. Then at the same time, all 3 ships threw every tea chest that could be found in the ship. Although they were soon surrounded by British armed ships, none of the British could resist them.

//2. Why did this happen?// The British East India Company tried to monopolize by trying to sell the tea for a lower price than before (without the colonists' permission). The company thought it would be good for both the colonists and the company. However the colonists were already tired of the monopolization of the British East India Company and they did not allow another monopoly to happen. The colonists believed that the act of selling the tea for a lower price would eventually make them to pay higher tax. Therefore to boycott the trading and selling of the tea leaves, the colonists decided to throw every single tea leaf into the water of the Boston Harbor.

//3. Was this a right choice for the Sons of Liberty to make?// Yes, it helped them to stop the monopolization of the British East India Company.__

2.11 **__Intorerable Acts__** What were they? - Series of laws sponsored by British Prime Minister Lord North and enacted in 1774 in response to the Boston Tea Party. The **Boston Port Bill** was intended to close down completely the Port of Boston until the East India Company was paid for their tea and Parliament was paid the tax due on the tea. The **Massachusetts Government Act** declared that members of the Massachusetts Council would be appointed by the Governor, not elected by the Assembly. Also, town meetings could take place only with the Governor's permission. This act gave the governor full power to appoint local officials and the judiciary, and decreed that in the future, juries would be appointed by the sheriffs, not elected. The **Administration of Justice Act** provided that any British official serving in the colonies, who was accused of a capital offense could be removed from the colony and sent to another colony or to England for a fair trial. Through a new **Quartering Act** for the British Army, colonial citizens would be required to house and feed, in their private homes, British officers and troops. Finally, the **Quebec Act** was tacked on to the Intolerable Acts. It gave Canada's Catholics civil equality and guaranteed religious tolerance. It also gave the French vast territories west of the Appalachians. The colonists saw this as an attempt to renew their battles with both the French and the Indians. __Was this a logical reaction from the British?__ Yes, and no, of course the British were outraged by the American's rebelious acts, and have every right to punish them and make them pay for what they lost, however, the British exploited this oppertunity to enforce harsh new acts upon the colonies. e.g. The Massachusetts Government Act overturned the princibles on which the Massachusetts colony was founded upon, and the Administration of Justice Act moved trials around so the British courts would get the sentencing that they wanted.

**E PLURIBUS UNUM 3.1** Stamp Act Congress - Jonathan Tai
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The Sons of Liberty had many rituals. Like other secret clubs at the time, they had secret code words, medals, and symbols which were formed due to the Stamp Act. Their activities included ransacking houses of British officials. They posed threats against tax collectors, causing many to leave the town. They hang pictures of unpopular people and burned them. They also covered offenders in warm tar and feathers. How did the Daughters of Liberty take actions? Since there was an import ban, there were shortages of natural textile. The Daughters of Liberty upheld the boycott since women often purchased goods for the home. Some refused to accept gentleman callers for themselves or their daughters. Were the SoL common thugs? No, these individuals risked their lives and reputations to fight against tyranny therefore they are remembered as heroes.__
 * 3.2** __Sons and Daughters of Liberty: Ina Z____What kinds of actions did the Sons of liberty undertake?

<span style="font-size: 150%; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Committees of Correspondence - Dan Zhang
 * 1) What were they? • Groups of individuals organized by government – Coordinated written communication outside of colony – Lead the way towards coordinated action and decision-making between the colonies.The Original • Established by Samuel Adams – Worked with rural patriots – Enabled all of Massachusetts to have access to patriot texts • Promoted the establishment of more such committees
 * 2) Responsibilities • Spread written material and information around – Seaport citizens were more informed than those in inland towns • Sometimes assisted in other things, e.g. Boston Tea Party
 * 3) Development • Established as an official committee by Virginia government, 1773 – Each colony now had central committee that coordinated discussion with other colonies • First step towards a
 * 4) Overview • Important forerunner to colonies’ cooperation – 1st committee that brought the colonies together for decision-making • A step towards representative government – colonies unite

=
At this point, Americans were fed up with the British and their 'intolerable acts'. sentiment for the patriotic cause was increasing dramatically, calling for another colonial meeting. All colonies met in Philadelphia except for Georgia, where the royal governor blocked delegates from attending the congress. =====

=
They gathered at this point in order to discuss the British 'intolerable acts', and their response to Britain.Their purpose wasnt to seek independence, but to create a statement of colonial rights, identify the British parliaments violations of those rights, and provide a plan that would convince them to restore those rights.=====

The grievances they wanted to be addressed were the British intolerable acts:
Quartering act:

o Extended to Canadian borders to cut of western colonies of Conneticut, Massachusetts, and Virginia
-<span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 0);">-Result The congress decided that if the parliament chose to ignore their grievances, they were to assemble again in May. In response, the British chose to punish and weaken the colonies by blockign all colony access to the North Atlantic fishing area.

3.5 The Second Continental Congress

3.6 Thomas Paine's Common Sense

3.7 Thomas Jefferson's Declaration of Independence

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