chapter 2 the causes of the american revolution

the situation in 1763-4

• britain emerged from the seven years' war with a vastly increased empire in North America and a vastly increased national debt that had almost doubled between 1755 and 1763
• cost of the war in america had contributed greatly to the debt
• the american colonies had escaped paying for the war
• they greatly benefitted from the defeat of france
• no longer faced a french threat from canada
• hoped to be able to exploit the vast territories acquired in north america from france

stronger imperial authority

• seemed evident to most british politicians in 1763 that imperial control over the newly extended north american empire should be tightened
• defence- as colonial boundaries moved westwards, likelihood of native american attacks
• government had to be provided for 80,000 french canadians, alien in language and region
• coherent western policy was needed to reconcile the conflicting needs of land settlement, the fur trade and native americans
• it had become apparent that smuggling was big business in america
• some politicians were angry that colonial governments had done little to contribute to their own defence during the war
• february 1763- new PM the Earl of Bute announced 10,000 british troops were needed as a permanent army in North America; the americans should contribute something to the expense

george grenville

• April 1763- new PM George Grenville
• experienced politician, served in various ministries since 1744
• main concern was reducing the national debt
• had little option but to increase taxation and try to reduce expenditure
• cost of colonial administration and defence was a major worry
• more money would be needed to maintain 10,000 troops in america
• enthusiastically supported the notion that americans should contribute to the cost of their own defence- they paid far less tax than the average briton

pontiac's rebellion

• fearing further encroachments on their lands by white settlers
• May 1763- Ohio Valley tribes, led by the Ottawa chief, Pontiac, rose in revolt
• destroyed every british post west of niagara except detroit
• killed or captured hundreds of settlers in the process
• success was short lived
• august- british forces lifted the siege of detroit
• british officials used bribes to detach most of the iroquois from pontiac and to persuade the southern tribes to remain neutral
• fighting continued into 1764
• defeated by british soldiers paid for by britain
• confirmed the view that the colonies were unable or unwilling to provide for their own defenece
• there was thus a need for british troops

the 1763 proclamation

• October- grenville's ministry issued the proclamation of 1763
• declared that the boundary of white settlement was to be a line running along the crest of the appalachians
• all land claims west of the boundary were to be nullified
• britain regarded the Proclamation Line as a temporary measure to minimise white-native american conflict
• intention was to ensure that white expansion was controlled
• angered some colonies and many frontiersmen and land speculatiors
• did not spark serious discontent
• at least 30,000 american settlers ignored the restriction and moved west in the 5 years after 1763 in…