Page 37 - ASM Book 9/2020

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• OCTOBER 13 - AMERICAN ACTION: Congress authorized the Continental Navy.
• OCTOBER 27 - BRITISH ACTION: In his speech to Parliament, King George III ordered Parliament to declare the American colonies to be in a state of rebellion, and authorized military action against them.
• NOVEMBER 29 - AMERICAN ACTION: Congress appointed a secret committee to seek assistance from European nations.
• DECEMBER 23 - BRITISH ACTION: Parliament passed the Prohibitory Act that closed the colonies to all commerce and trade.
CAontinental Navy Created
Continental Navy was authorized by the Second Continental Congress on October 13, 1775. Esek Hopkins was named Commander-in-Chief on December 22 and formally organized the Navy. The first fleet consisted of seven ships: two 24-gun frigates, two 14-gun brigs and three schooners. The original purpose was to capture British shipments of arms, equipment and provisions.
The first and the current U.S. Naval Jack flag includes a rattlesnake superimposed across 13 alternating red and white stripes with the motto “Don’t Tread On Me.”
King George III Closed AmOerica’s Ports
n December 23, 1775, Parliament passed the Prohibitory Act in retaliation to the growing American revolt against British rule. The Act placed a naval blockade on American ports that stopped the colonies from trading with foreign countries and each other. British ships were exempted. It also authorized that all American ships would be seized and the cargo sold.
Closing the ports was a severe economic blow to the colonies. The ports were important because the economies of each colony were based on the mercantile system. Which meant the colonies provided raw materials, such as rice and tobacco, to Great Britain, and in return
Great Britain shipped manufactured goods, such as textiles and ceramics, back to colonial merchants to be sold. The closing of ports was another offensive action that convinced the public and members of Congress to
support American independence.
Congress reacted by issuing letters of marque to American ship owners, which gave them the authority to
seize British ships and sell the cargo.