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Revolution and National Constitution (1763 – 1825) Part 1.
2.1 Towards separation
Prior to 1760’s The presence and pressure of the French and Indian peoples obliged the
British‐Americans to subordinate to the British troops.
1763 British‐Americans defeat the French. The boundaries of British domains would
expand not only territorially speaking but
in demographic diversity.
French, Indians and Catholics were now
subjects of the crown.
Consequences:
British‐Americans confidence after defeating the French would escalate all the
way to the Independence war.
Indians Start wars against the traitor colonists lead by Chief Pontiac.
French Keep pressuring the British crown by means of politics now that they are brand
new “Englishmen”.
British Empire Due to all that pressure decide to restructure the administration of the
Colonies.
1) Forbids wider expansion into Indian territory. Everything western to the
Appalachia would be
theirs.
In 1774 they release the Law of Quebec
which extends that line till the northern
part of the Ohio River.
2)Grants the Frenchmen a certain level of Autonomy.
British‐Americans feel somehow
betrayed.
3) After defeating New France, the British Empire decides to restructure the form of Government
in America
a) Seeks a self‐financed government and army abroad. b) Raises taxes.
New taxes Law of sugar (1764) taxed all importation of molasses and their
products brought to their colonies.
Highly unpopular measure. Derogated in 1766.
The Stamp Act taxed all newspapers, postal stamps and legal documents.
Generates formal protests of Delegates in New York.
Towshend Laws Taxation of tea, paper and several other merchandises.
Imposed to try to balance the annual investment made by England (170,000 S.P.) and its income
(300 S.P.)
Provoke clandestine resistance groups known as the Sons of Liberty.
1770 First clash between British troops and British colonists in Boston
5 dead. Becomes the center of a net that
promoted the American identity by
means of an anti‐elitist, anti‐
aristocratic discourse.
Religious preachers collaborate.
1772 Rebels in Rhode Island rise and burn the Gaspée, a British coastguard boat.
1773 Outbursts and standing of farmers and lessees. Lead to the famous Tea
Party
England releases the Coercion Laws
1) Boston harbor shall be closed.
2) Massachusetts shall be governed by a
native Englishman.
1774 The Continental Congress takes place in Philadelphia. Boycott in English
and Irish
manufactured
products will be
applied.
1775 England orders the arrest and trial of the American political leaders
Colonist organize the Minute Man groups. War starts.
2.2 Independence war
British troops well trained and helped by German mercenaries known as the Hessian
50,000 men. Scarce for the amount of territory to cover. Controlled
strategic places like
Halifax and New
Scotland.
¼ of the American population supported the British Empire (Tories). Most coming from N.Y.
and Philadelphia.
Americans were about 20,000 soldiers worse rained and armed.
Wanted to stand as long as possible to seduce the enemies of England to enter the war and
support them.
British Victories American Victories
Long Island Virginia (overall view)
New York South Carolina (overall view)
Quebec
Rebels, just about
to be defeated.
Change their discourse from an
Thomas Pain writes: Common sense anti‐aristocratic to a patriotic
promoter of independence one.
January 1776 Thomas Jefferson writes the soon to be Declaration of Independence.
Approved by the Congress on the 4th of July 1776.
Text influenced by the values of the Illustration movement.
1) All men are created equal.
2) Unalienable rights.
3) Right to live, be free and seek for happiness.
4) Governments are instituted to guaranty 1), 2) and 3)
5) The governmental powers derive from the consent of the people.
6) The people can change the Government whenever its form destroys 1), 2) and 3) or violates 5).
British victories American Victories
Philadelphia New Jersey
Charleston Delaware
Camden Princeton
New York
Kentucky
Ohio
Yorktown
Even if the British troops counted with the support of the Indians and betrayals of American Generals like
Benedict Arnold.
1783 Treaty of Paris Independence granted.
Borders of the new Birth United States till the Mississippi
River.
Canada remains under British power.
Star Spangled Banner. Composed by Francis Scott Key,
Oh, say, can you see, by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thru the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
O say, does that star‐spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
"In Defense of Fort McHenry"
On the shore dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected, now shines on the stream:
Tis the star‐spangled banner: O, long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
In September 1814
And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion
A home and a country should leave us no more?
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave:
And the star‐spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
National Anthem in 1931.
O, thus be it ever when freemen shall stand,
Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n‐rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust"
And the star‐spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!