Page 151 - American Stories, A History of the United States

nothing significant in Concord and left. Their long march back to Boston became a
5.1 rout. Lord Percy, a British officer who brought up reinforcements, remarked more
in surprise than bitterness that “whoever looks upon them [the American soldiers] as
an irregular mob, will find himself much mistaken.” On June 17, colonial militiamen
Quick Check
5.2 again held their own against seasoned troops at the Battle of Bunker Hill near Boston.
Why did the British general Thomas The British finally took the hill, but after this costly “victory” in which he suffered
Gage underestimate the Americans’ 40 percent casualties, Gage complained that the Americans had displayed “a conduct
military resolve?
5.3 and spirit against us, they never showed against the French.”

beginning “the World Over Again”
5.4 second Continental Members of the Second Continental Congress gathered in Philadelphia in May 1775.

Congress A gathering of colonial They faced an awesome responsibility. British government in the mainland colonies
representatives in Philadelphia had almost ceased to function, and with Americans fighting redcoats, the country
in 1775 that organized the
continental Army and began desperately needed strong central leadership. Slowly, often reluctantly, Congress
requisitioning men and supplies took control of the war. The delegates formed a Continental Army and appointed
for the war effort. George Washington its commander, in part because he seemed to have more military
experience than anyone else available and in part because he looked like he should
be commander in chief. The delegates were also eager to select someone who was
not from Massachusetts, a colony that seemed already to possess too much power in
national councils. Congress purchased military supplies and, to pay for them, issued
paper money. But while Congress was assuming the powers of a sovereign govern-
ment, the congressmen refused to declare independence. They debated and fretted,
listened to the moderates who played on the colonists’ loyalty to Britain, and then
did nothing.
Convinced that force could make up for earlier failures of policy, the British gov-
ernment found a way to transform colonial moderates into angry rebels. In December
1775, Parliament passed the Prohibitory Act, declaring war on American commerce.
Until the colonists begged for pardon, they could not trade with the rest of the world.
The British navy blockaded their ports and seized American ships on the high seas.
(See Table 5.1.) Lord North also hired German mercenaries to help put down the

tAbLe 5.1 cHRONicLe OF cOLONiAL-bRitisH teNsiON
Legislation Date Provisions colonial Reaction

sugar act April 5, 1764 Revised duties on sugar, coffee, tea, wine, other several assemblies protest taxation for revenue
imports; expanded jurisdiction of vice-admiralty
courts
stamp act March 22, 1765; Printed documents (deeds, newspapers, marriage Riots in cities; collectors forced to resign; stamp Act
repealed March 18, licenses, etc.) issued only on special stamped paper congress (October 1765)
1766 purchased from stamp distributors
Quartering act May 1765 colonists must supply british troops with housing, Assemblies protest; New York Assembly punished
other items (candles, firewood, etc.) for failure to comply, 1767
declaratory act March 18, 1766 Parliament declares its sovereignty over the colo- ignored in celebration over repeal of the stamp Act
nies “in all cases whatsoever”
Townshend Revenue june 26, 29, july 2, New duties on glass, lead, paper, paints, tea; cus- Nonimportation of british goods; assemblies pro-
acts 1767; all repealed— toms collections tightened in America test; newspapers attack british policy
except duty on tea,
March 1770
Tea act May 10, 1773 Parliament gives east india company right to sell Protests against favoritism shown to monopolistic
tea directly to Americans; some duties on tea company; tea destroyed in boston (December 16,
reduced 1773)
Coercive acts March–june 1774 closes port of boston; restructures Massachusetts boycott of british goods; First continental congress
(intolerable acts) government; restricts town meetings; troops quar- (september 1774)
tered in boston; british officials accused of crimes
sent to england or canada for trial
Prohibitory act December 22, 1775 Declares british intention to coerce Americans Drives continental congress closer to decision for
into submission; embargo on American goods; independence
American ships seized
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