Chapter Outline



Sowing The Seeds Of Revolution: 1763 - 1776

• For the first time in world history, the discontent of a few colonists created a rebellion so strong and so potent that it would later create a world super power all its own.
• The high cost of a decade of fighting between the French and the British left the British treasury nearly bankrupt

French & Indian War, minidocumentary by James Dunoyer: 2010

I. Dissension Takes Root

• In 1763 British victory over the French during the French and Indian War expelled the French from the colonies, leaving the fur trade solely to the British
• Officials in London decided the colonists should not only pay the bulk of the war debts but should also provide protection for themselves.

II. Sam Adams: Firebrand of the Revolution

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  Portrait of Samuel Adams
  http://www.knowledgerush.com/kr/biography/610/Samuel_Adams/

  
  In the 1760's Sam Adams became a prominent voice in the Boston Gazette, writing hundreds of essays and news articles.
• Adams' words were radical and beginning in 1764 he argued "If our Trade may be taxed, why not our Lands? Why not the Produce of our Lands & everything we possess or make us of?"
• In short, Adams represented an early cry against taxation without representation.



Public Occurrences
Original Location



III. "Journal of Occurrences" as News Service

• Adams created in September 1768, what became America's' first systematic gathering and distributing of news, a precursor to today's Associated Press.
• Adams named his service the "Journal of Occurrences," which quickly turned into a communication network spreading anti-British rhetoric.

IV. Boston Massacre: Not to Be Forgotten

• British Officials withdrew four regiments of militiamen from Boston in the summer of 1769, leaving a small amount of soldiers in the city as guards.
• On March 5, 1770, several citizens began antagonizing the soldiers in front of the British Custom House, ultimately causing one to discharge his musket. (possibly by accident)
• Events quickly escalated to citizens striking back and the British firing their guns. By the end of the skirmish, five colonists were dead.
• The Colonial newspaper accounts of what became known as the Boston Massacre. To ensure the message was fully communicated to illiterate colonists, the Gazette included woodcuts of coffins representing the five dead colonists.

                                   

Created by Mr. Mills BA History Widener University

V. Tom Paine: Voice of Inspiration

• One of the most decisive phases of the pro-revolution campaign began after armed hostilities had broken out in Lexington and Concord in April 1775, which was led by one of the most important writers of the colonial era; Tom Paine.

• Colonists came to know Paine as an independent thinker who wrote inspiring discourse.

Original Image Found At

VI. Common Sense Ignites a Nation

•  In January 1776, Paine wrote Common Sense, an essay on the future of the American Colonies.
• Common Sense argued that men and women not only deserved, but were obligated as citizens of the human race, to demand much more.

• Paine presented separation from Britain as the only viable option for the colonies.
• Through twenty-five separate editions, over 150,000 copies were sold.

VII. Crisis Essays Inspire an Army

Tom Paine

• In august 1776 Paine joined the Continental Army under the command of General George Washington.

• The British military cut through the Americans in numerous battles. On The verge of retreat, At George Washington's request, pain wrote his Crisis essays.

• Washington read the essay to his troops fallowing the first installment printed in the Pennsylvania Journal; a week later the Americans won a crucial victory at the battle at Trenton.

VIII. Stunning Impact

• The early phase of the Journalistic campaign began by political firebrand Sam Adams
• Through the Journal of Occurrences he organized and moved public opinion against British troops
• The reports from the Boston Massacre helped push America closer to the breaking point.
• Common Sense was the final straw needed, which gave the colonists the idea to revolution and the concept of independence. Common Sense transformed mildly discontented citizens into fully committed political insurgents ready to fight for freedom.