The Changing of Colonists opinion on America vs Britain in the Eighteenth Century. (S.N.)
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The Great Awakening
The Great Awakening was a religious revival which took place in the 1730s-1740s, and was led by a minister named Johnathon Edwards. During this time, many colonists began to rethink their basic assumption between church and state. Commoners in Pennsylvania were starting to see that they were better off than their counter parts in England. Society was moving away from the hierarchy which was so rigid in England, and some believe was the beginning of the Americas democratization.1 -
The Aix-la-Chapelle Treaty of 1748
The treaty of 1748 ended the Austrian war of succession and restored conquered territories to their original owners, but did nothing to resolve the commercial issues between Britain and France in North America. British colonist resented the imperial governments return of Louisbourg to France. This made the colonists who fought in the war feel like their efforts were for nothing and that the British government didn't care about them.2 -
The Seven Years War
The Seven Years' War was a global war between Britain and France during the years of 1756-1763. Even though the colonial militias were the only ones winning any battles, colonial officers ranked lower than the greenest British ensign. During the seven years' war, the Imperial government makes financial demands on the colonies, without giving the them any input, which leads to a lack of support from colonial government and citizens.4 -
The Treaty of Paris 1763
France ceded all territories east of the Mississippi to Britain, and Spain received Louisiana and New Orleans, which means there is no more French territory in Northern America. Even though this was a victory for Britain, it irrevocably changed the relationship between Britain and her colonies and laid the foundation for the upcoming revolution.6 -
The Sugar Act
The Sugar Act of 1764, imposed duties on foreign molasses, cloth, sugar, indigo, coffee and wine imported into the colonies . It also imposed a double duty on goods transshipped through England. Colonists dependent on Atlantic trade were angered. They also feared the slave trade, which they were dependent on for their labor, would break down if sugar and molasses were expensive to import. The colonists retaliated by boycotting the affected goods.6 -
The Stamp Act
The Stamp Act of 1765 imposed a tax in the form of a stamp on a variety of important colonial documents and products such as legal documents, pamphlets and newspapers, tavern licenses, decks of cards and even dice. The Stamp Act affected and angered virtually all Americans, and caused widespread resentment toward England.7 -
The Townshend Act of 1767
The Townshend Acts of 1767 placed duties on imported goods (glass, tea, paint and paper). Imperial officers worked as customs agents who collected duties, reported directly to the British Treasury, and were paid directly by the crown. Colonists realized the potential for corruption the act would have, in response they organize meetings to discuss boycotting British goods. These meetings open up communications between the colonies and breeds a feeling of us versus them.7 -
American Revolution
In protesting British tax laws, an unruly mob destroys a fortune in tea by throwing it in the Boston Harbor. Britain responds by closing Boston Harbor and arresting leaders of the Patriotic movement. On April 19, 1774 Massachusetts militias and British troops fired on each other as British troops marched to Lexington and Concord. The American Revolution had begun, An event immortalized by poet Ralph Waldo Emerson as the “shot heard round the world.” The war was won by the Patriots in 1783. -
The Signing of the Declaration of Independence July 4, 1776
During this time, some colonists felt it was time to end the submission to British authority, while some were still proud to be in the British Empire. Thus came the Declaration of Independence which was written by Thomas Jefferson and passed on July 4, 1776. The Declaration of independence was an elegant piece of propaganda which was aimed at the undecided at home and abroad in an attempt to convince the wavering that there were times when revolution was justified.7 -
The Treaty of Paris 1783
The Treaty of Paris which was signed in 1783, was very favorable toward the United States. Great Britain recognized American independence, and granted very liberal boundaries from the Atlantic to the Mississippi River, and gave Americans the right to fish the Grand Banks. The treaty also validated all prewar colonial debt , but refused to restore property seized from loyalists. The new nation was diverse, pragmatic, proud and briefly confident. -
The signing of the Bill of Rights, 1791
The Bill of Rights, which was adopted in 1791, consisted of the first ten amendments to the Constitution and outlined many of the personal rights, which state constitutions already guaranteed. This was done because many people felt the Constitution of 1787 seemed to centralize power, and threatened the rights and liberties of ordinary U.S. citizens.
