Revolution Before Submission. Changes to American Society and Culture from 1700 to 1812.(ARD)
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Population Explosion
The original census performed in 1790 reported a total population of over 3,554,000 men. The high birth rate in the American colonies could have been predicted. America offered a healthier environment over the dirty cities of Europe, which when coupled with the improved nutrition available to colonial mothers, lowered the infant mortality rate substantially. -
Population Explosion citation
- United States. Return of the Whole Number of Persons Within the Several Districts of the United States. Philadelphia, PA: J. Phillips, 1793. Accessed June 21, 2017 from www.2.census.gov.
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Immigration of Non-English Colonists
In an effort to control colonial trade, England enacted the Navigation Acts. The resulting Triangle Trade left the Irish at a severe economic disadvantage [2]. Germans drawn by the vast amount of available land and tolerant religious climate followed Penn's invitation to settle in Pennsylvania and New York becoming know as the Pennsylvania Dutch [3]. -
Immigration citations.
- P. Scott Corbet, et al. US History, (Houston,, TX: Rice University, 2016). PDF ebook, Chap 4.
- "The Call of Tolerance." Library of Congress. Accessed on June 24, 2017 from www.loc.gov.
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The Molasses Act
Designed to cripple colonial trade with the French West Indies, the Molasses Act was roundly ignored by American merchants who bribed and smuggled their way around its restrictions. The colonials sought foreign markets and soon Chesapeake tobacco was filling pipes all over Europe [4]. -
The Molasses Act citation
- UTA history department. "Making of the Patriots." Lecture.
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1st Continental Congress
"The distinction between Virginians, Pennsylvanians, New Yorkers, and New Englanders, are no more. I am not a Virginian, but an American" [5]. In Philadelphia, delegates from each colony met with the goal of organizing against Parliament's Coercive Acts. While the Congress affirmed loyalty to Britain, it promised to ban importing British goods and curtain exports to England [6]. -
Continental Congress citations
- Patrick Henry. "Speech to the First Continental Congress." Speech. 1774. Accessed on June 22, 2017 from www.foundersquotes.com.
- Georgia did not send delegates to the Congress as it was busy utilizing British military support to suppress the local tribes. P. Scott Corbett, et al. US History, (Houston, TX: Rice University. 2016). PDF ebook, chapter 5.
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Patrick Henry Addresses the Virginia Convention.
Having returned from the previous year's Continental Congress, Henry sought to raise a militia for the defense of Virginia. Henry, a powerful orator, would testify, "it is too late now to retire from the contest. There is o retreat but in submission and slavery. The war is inevitable-and let it come!" The frontier spirit of revolt before submission was echoed as Henry ended, "I know not what course others may take, but for me, give me Liberty of give me Death!"[7] -
Virginia Convention citation.
- Patrick Henry, "Address to the Virginia Convention, March 23,1775." Speech. 1775. Accessed on June 34, 2017 from www.avalon.law.yale.edu.
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Hanging citation
- One version of his arrest has Hale being recognized by his cousin, a Loyalist sympathizer, who turned him in. Robert Mackensie, Diary, September 22, 1776. Encyclopedia Britannica. Last updated March 17, 2017. Accessed on June 23, 2017 from www.britannica.com
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Patriot Nathan Hale is hanged without a trial.
School teacher, soldier, and spy, Nathan Hale volunteered to obtain information of British troop positions in New York. Hale was apprehended with hand drawn maps. After a night of questioning, Hale was publicly hanged. The story of Hale's famous last words come to us from the diary of Robert Mackensie, a British officer present at the hanging. He wrote, "at the gallows he made a sensible and spirited speech, told them his only regret was that I have no more lives than one to offer" [8]. -
Treaty of Paris citation.
- Named for the city where negotiations took place, the treaty talks started slowly as both sides were reluctant to budge from their positions; the British steadfastly refused to acknowledge colonial independence, and the Americans instance that hostilities with France cease. Kennedy Hickman, "The Treaty of Paris, 1783." Updated May 9, 2017. Accessed on June 24, 2017 from www.thoughtco.com.
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The Treaty of Paris Officially Ends the War.
After British troops were routed at Yorktown, anti-war activist forced a change in Parliament. Seizing the opportunity, Ben Franklin proposes peace talks. The final draft recognized the colonies to be free and independent, established the border at the Mississippi River, set fishing rights on the Grand Banks, restitution for property taken from Loyalists, and required all debts occurred be honored. The treaty was so unpopular that another change of government was forced in Britain [9]. -
Congress Approves the Final Draft of the New Constitution
When the fifty-five delegates met in Philadelphia to amend the Articles of Confederation, it quickly became apparent that a new plan for a national government would have to be drafted.Ethnically, culturally, and economically diverse, the delegates all shared one fear, a too powerful centralized government that would be similar to the British monarchy. Out of their debates would arise the Great Compromise [10]. The colonies were now finally one nation. -
Congress citation
The great compromise would appease the small states with equal representation while accommodating the populous states with greater representation in the House. P. Scott Corbett. US History, (Houston, TX: Rice University, 2016). PDF ebook. chapter5.
