American Revolution - Causes, Problems, Beginning - Early Modern History
Summary
TLDRThis script explores the American Revolution's pivotal events, from its roots in Enlightenment thought and tax disputes to the birth of a nation. It discusses the impact of miscommunication, the Albany Plan of Union, the Proclamation of 1763, and the escalating tensions leading to the Stamp Act and the Intolerable Acts. The narrative builds towards the First Continental Congress and sets the stage for Paul Revere's ride and the battles at Bunker Hill, highlighting key moments that shaped the revolution.
Takeaways
- 🗺️ The American Revolution marked a pivotal moment in the 18th century, influenced by the Enlightenment and leading to significant changes in both the New and Old Worlds.
- 📜 The initial conflict over taxes escalated into a war that was unforeseen by those involved, ultimately shaping the destiny of nations.
- 🌐 The world's geography, including the discovery of new routes to Asia, set the stage for the exploration and colonization that would lead to the American Revolution.
- 🔄 The 'salutary neglect' policy of Britain allowed the American colonies to self-govern, fostering a sense of independence that would later fuel the revolution.
- 📊 The economic priorities of Britain, focusing more on the Caribbean and Canada, led to a lack of investment in the American colonies, contributing to the growing divide.
- ⚔️ The French and Indian War was a turning point that heightened tensions and necessitated a more active British involvement in colonial affairs.
- 📜 The Albany Plan of Union, though unsuccessful, demonstrated the possibility and desirability of colonial cooperation against common threats.
- 🚫 The Proclamation of 1763 and subsequent acts like the Stamp Act were attempts by Britain to exert more control over the colonies, sparking widespread resistance.
- 📣 The 'No taxation without representation' slogan emerged from the Declaration of Rights and Grievances, becoming a rallying cry for colonial opposition to British policies.
- 🍵 The Boston Tea Party was a direct act of defiance against British taxation policies, further escalating the conflict between the colonies and Britain.
- ⚠️ The Intolerable Acts were punitive measures by Britain that backfired, uniting the colonies against British rule and pushing them towards revolution.
Q & A
What was the seminal moment of the 18th century that led to an era of change and revolution?
-The American Revolution was the seminal moment of the 18th century that led to an era of change and revolution, marking a significant shift in the fate of both the New and Old Worlds.
What was the fundamental underlying problem that led to the war between Britain and her colonial subjects?
-The fundamental underlying problem was communication. The long distances and slow communication methods between North America and Europe resulted in local authorities in the Americas being on their own for months before British authorities could respond to crises.
What was the policy of London towards the American colonies prior to the French and Indian War?
-Prior to the French and Indian War, London followed a policy of 'salutary neglect,' where it barely interfered in colonial affairs, allowing the colonists to manage their own affairs via elected legislatures.
Why did London prioritize the Caribbean and Canadian colonies over the American ones before the French and Indian War?
-London prioritized the Caribbean and Canadian colonies over the American ones because the revenue generated by the Thirteen Colonies was significantly less compared to the fur trade centered on Canada's Great Lakes and Hudson's Bay, and the Caribbean sugar colonies which accounted for 4% of Britain's total gross national product.
What was the Albany Plan of Union and why was it rejected?
-The Albany Plan of Union was a proposal by Benjamin Franklin for a unified war strategy among the colonies, which aimed to create a more centralized government. It was rejected by both the colonial legislatures who wanted more independence and the Crown who felt it gave too much power to the colonies.
What were the consequences of the Proclamation of 1763 for the American colonies?
-The Proclamation of 1763 established governments for newly acquired territories and divided British North America into three parts, including the Thirteen Colonies. It forbade British settlers from moving into Indian Territory, effectively abandoning colonial settlements beyond the Allegheny Mountains and causing outrage among the colonists.
What was the main issue with the Stamp Act of 1765 that provoked anger among the American colonies?
-The Stamp Act of 1765 required all legal paper to be purchased from London with a revenue stamp certifying its legality. This was the first direct tax placed on any American colonies, and it was seen as an infringement on the colonists' rights as they were not represented in the British Parliament.
What was the significance of the Declaration of Rights and Grievances sent by the colonies to the British government?
-The Declaration of Rights and Grievances laid out the colonial position that they were only subject to taxation from elected governments and that they had natural rights as human beings which were being ignored. It formed the basis of colonial protests and the rallying cry of 'No taxation without representation.'
What was the immediate response of the colonies to the Tea Act of 1773, and why was it significant?
-The Tea Act of 1773 allowed the British East India Company to sell unlimited tea to the colonies at a discount. The colonies saw it as a ploy to get them to accept Parliament's right to tax them. In response, nearly every colony refused tea to be landed in their ports, and the Boston Tea Party occurred, which was the final straw leading to harsh action from the British government.
What were the Coercive Acts and how did they impact the situation in Massachusetts and Boston?
-The Coercive Acts, also known as the Intolerable Acts, were laws passed by the British Parliament to punish Boston for the Boston Tea Party. They included closing the city port, placing Boston under military governance, allowing officials to try anyone in British courts, and requiring more extensive troop quartering. These acts further escalated tensions and led to the situation that eventually ignited the revolution.
What was the purpose of the First Continental Congress and what actions did it agree upon?
-The First Continental Congress was a meeting of delegates from every colony but Georgia to address the Intolerable Acts and British policies. The Congress agreed to resist the acts via a complete boycott of British imports and to pressure the West Indies colonies to do the same. They also agreed to reconvene the next year if their grievances were not addressed.
Outlines
🏛️ The American Revolution: Missteps to a New Nation
The American Revolution marked a pivotal moment in the 18th century, emerging from Enlightenment ideals and escalating from a tax dispute into a war that would alter the destinies of the New and Old Worlds. Initially, the conflict was not anticipated to reach such magnitude. The script introduces the series on the American Revolution, highlighting miscommunication and missed opportunities leading to nationhood. It also promotes Mova Globes, showcasing their self-rotating, magnetically powered globes in various styles, from antique maps to NASA imagery, offering a 10% discount with the code KINGSANDGENERALS.
📜 The Core Problem: Communication and Colonial Governance
The root cause of the war between Britain and its colonies was poor communication, exacerbated by the slow and unreliable nature of sea travel in the 17th and 18th centuries. This resulted in British authorities being absent during crises, leading to a policy of 'salutary neglect' where colonies were granted significant autonomy. The script discusses the British Empire's prioritization of more lucrative colonies like the Caribbean over the Thirteen Colonies, and the minimal military presence in North America, which was primarily tasked with protecting trading posts and deterring French influence.
🛡️ Shifts in Colonial Dynamics Post-French and Indian War
The French and Indian War was a turning point, prompting northern colonies to strategize and seek unity, as seen in Benjamin Franklin's Albany Plan of Union. The surrender of New France to British forces in 1760 opened up new territories for American colonists, but London's differing views on expansion and the need to maintain peace with indigenous tribes led to the Proclamation of 1763. This proclamation aimed to prevent conflict by restricting colonial expansion and recognizing tribal land rights, but it also sparked outrage among colonists whose land grants were ignored.
🗳️ Resistance and the Stamp Act: The Prelude to Rebellion
The Stamp Act of 1765 was the first direct tax imposed on the American colonies, requiring legal documents to bear a revenue stamp from London. This act, along with the Sugar Act of 1764, led to widespread protests and resistance, particularly in Boston, where the Sons of Liberty organized demonstrations that escalated into violence. The resistance was not only against the taxes but also against the principle of taxation without representation, leading to the formation of the Stamp Act Congress and the Declaration of Rights and Grievances, which asserted the rights of Englishmen and natural human rights.
🛑 The Boston Massacre and Escalating Tensions
The Boston Massacre was a tragic incident where British soldiers fired into a crowd, killing several Americans, during a period of heightened tension in Boston. The event was used as anti-Parliamentary propaganda, further fueling resentment against British rule. The script also covers the political shifts in Britain, including the repeal of most Townshend Acts by Lord North, who retained the tea tax and the Boston garrison, signaling a hardening stance towards the colonies.
🌐 The Committees of Correspondence and the Road to Revolution
As the colonies organized in response to British policies, the Committees of Correspondence played a crucial role in coordinating opposition and spreading revolutionary sentiments. The Tea Act of 1773 and the subsequent Boston Tea Party were seen as attempts by North to assert Parliament's right to tax the colonies, leading to a complete boycott of British imports. The Intolerable Acts, including the Coercive Acts and the Quebec Act, further alienated the colonies, pushing even moderate loyalists towards the patriot cause. The First Continental Congress convened to resist British policies, but military actions by General Gage in Massachusetts heightened the sense of rebellion.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡American Revolution
💡Enlightenment
💡Miscommunication
💡Navigation Acts
💡French and Indian War
💡Pontiac’s War
💡Proclamation of 1763
💡Stamp Act
💡Boston Massacre
💡Intolerable Acts
💡First Continental Congress
Highlights
The American Revolution marked a pivotal moment in the 18th century, influenced by the Enlightenment and leading to widespread change.
The unexpected escalation of a tax dispute into a war that defined an era shocked all parties and altered the destinies of both the New and Old Worlds.
Mova Globes are highlighted as a sponsor, offering a variety of globes with unique features like self-rotation powered by ambient light and magnetism.
Fundamental communication issues between Britain and the colonies were a key underlying problem, exacerbated by the long sea travel times.
Britain's policy of 'salutary neglect' allowed the colonies to self-govern for 70 years, reflecting the colonies' lower economic value compared to other territories.
The French and Indian War altered the dynamics of British colonial policy, necessitating a more active role in North America.
Benjamin Franklin's Albany Plan of Union, though rejected, demonstrated the possibility and desirability of colonial cooperation.
The Proclamation of 1763 aimed to prevent conflict with Native tribes but inadvertently caused outrage among colonists by disregarding their land grants.
The Stamp Act of 1765 was the first direct tax imposed on the colonies, sparking widespread resistance and the rallying cry of 'No taxation without representation'.
The Boston Massacre in 1770 further fueled anti-Parliament sentiment and was immortalized by Paul Revere's engraving.
Lord North's policies, including the Tea Act, were perceived as attempts to coerce the colonies into accepting Parliament's right to tax them.
The Intolerable Acts of 1774 were designed to punish Boston and assert British authority, but instead galvanized colonial resistance.
The Quebec Act was seen as a betrayal by the colonies, as it favored French Canadians and Catholics, and expanded Quebec's borders at the expense of colonial land claims.
The First Continental Congress convened in 1774, agreeing to resist British policies through a boycott of British imports.
General Gage's attempt to disarm the militia and seize colonial military stores backfired, prompting a rapid and unified colonial response.
The growing tension between Britain and the colonies culminated in the state of rebellion declared by King George III, setting the stage for the American Revolution.
Transcripts
The American Revolution was the seminal moment of the 18th century. It was the culmination of
the Enlightenment and would usher in an era of change and revolution. However,
it was never intended to become so. That a dispute over taxes would escalate into an era defining war
shocked everyone involved, and forever changed the fate of both the New and Old Worlds. Welcome
to the beginning of our series on the American Revolution, where we will tell the tale of
miscommunication, misunderstanding, and missed opportunities and led to the birth of a nation.
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The Core Problem The fundamental underlying problem
that led to war between Britain and her colonial subjects was communication. A message sent from
North American to Europe on a typical sailing ship of the 17th and 18th century would arrive in about
a month assuming calm seas, favorable winds, and correct navigation. Anything less added weeks if
not months to a voyage. Additionally, the north Atlantic trade winds are westerly meaning the
return trip would take at least twice as long, as ships either had to tack into the
wind for a direct return, or sail down to Africa to catch the easterly equatorial winds. Therefore,
in a crisis, local authorities in the Americas would be on their own for no less than three
months before British authorities arrived on the scene. Great Britain solved this problem
by barely trying to govern its colonies at all. Instead, it handed charters to establish
colonies along with government powers, the rights of Englishmen, and land grants to
private individuals and/or joint stock companies. Except for a failed attempt to centralize control
and administration in New England, London barely interfered in colonial affairs. It didn’t have the
resources to pay appointed governors or station troops in every colony, nor any desire to. This
suited the colonists, who were left to manage their own affairs via elected legislatures.
London didn’t even attempt to enforce he mercantilist Navigation Acts. This period,
known as salutary neglect, lasted 70 years . London’s neglect wasn’t simply sloth. The Thirteen
Colonies just weren’t valuable enough as colonies to bother closely governing. The revenue generated
by the Thirteen Colonies paled in comparison to the fur trade, centered on Canada’s Great
Lakes and Hudson’s Bay. Canada in turn paled next to the Caribbean sugar colonies, which
accounted for 4% of Britain's total gross national product. Therefore London prioritized protecting
the Caribbean and Canadian colonies over the American ones. It was rare for the total number
of army regulars in North America to exceed four thousand during peacetime. Most were stationed
to protect trading posts and deter the French in Canada. The rest were scattered in frontier forts
and small coastal garrisons, with New York as the army’s headquarters. Local forces were the primary
protection for the American colonies against raids by the French and their indigenous allies.
Everything Changes The 1754 French and Indian War changed everything.
Facing a reinforced and aggressive New France and its allied tribes, representatives from the seven
northern colonies met in Albany on June 19th to plan their war strategy. Also in attendance
were representatives of the Iroquois Confederacy, whose continued alliance against the French the
colonists were desperate to secure. Despite the delegate's efforts, the Iroquois didn’t actually
commit to fighting the French, instead opting for a policy of neutral non-hostility towards the
colonies. Next, the delegates’ attention turned towards a unified war strategy, which culminated
in Benjamin Franklin’s Albany Plan of Union. While the Plan of Union was approved by all the
Colonial delegates, it was unanimously rejected by both the colonial legislatures and the Crown,
much to Franklin’s frustration. The former wanted more independence and the latter felt
it gave too much. Despite these setbacks, the Congress proved that cooperation between
the 13 colonies was possible, even desirable. On September 8, 1760, New France surrendered
to British Field Marshal Jeffery Amherst, ending the war in North America. The American colonists
celebrated their rival’s fall, especially since it meant expansion. Many colonies already had
settlements west of the Appalachian Mountains, but they had been constantly raided by the French and
their indigenous allies. However, with that threat gone, the formerly disputed territory, especially
the Ohio River valley, was now theirs for the taking. However, London felt differently. The
earlier conquest of French Arcadia had resulted in extensive and costly guerrilla fighting,
and the ongoing Seven Years War was draining the Exchequer. The last thing London wanted
was another war. Thus, it needed to very quickly pacify the French Canadiens and Native Peoples.
Secondly, the conquest had brought all of the fur trade under British control. While this was a
great victory, the fur trade relied on indigenous tribes bringing furs to traders. Without good
relations, trade was impossible. Britain had always been able to cultivate partnerships
with various native tribes by allying with the rivals of French-aligned tribes. That tool was
now gone and it was now entirely on the British to keep their Indian suppliers happy and protect
the fur trade. Unfortunately for London, these goals were thoroughly undermined by Amherst,
now the military governor of Canada. Amherst insulted everyone, treating both the French
Canadiens and French allied tribes poorly . This, coupled with fears of further colonial expansion,
ignited Pontiac’s War in April 1763, led by the Odawa Chieftain Pontiac against the
British. London finally realized that, 156 years after Jamestown was founded, it would have to
actually take the policy lead in North America. The Proclamation of 1763 and the Stamp Act
Preventing conflict was the first step. To this end, Parliament and King George III crafted a
royal proclamation to allay the Indian’s fears. Unfortunately, it wasn’t ready until October 1763,
too late to prevent Pontiac’s War. However, it did allow Amherst’s more conciliatory
replacement Thomas Gage an opening offer in peace negotiations. The Proclamation of
1763 first established governments for newly acquired territory in the Americas. Then, it
divided British North America into three pieces: the Thirteen Colonies, French-Speaking Quebec,
and Indian Territory. British settlers were forbidden within Indian Territory and the
tribe's rights to their land was acknowledged. The official reason was to meet Pontiac’s demand
to respect Indian land. This wasn’t actually true: London fully intended to expand British
settlements in North America. However, it would be at London’s direction and only after securing
the rights to do so through purchase from the tribes. Parliament just couldn’t say that openly
without angering the Indians, who they were trying to placate . The Proclamation of 1763
caused outrage in the colonies. It ignored their chartered land grants and effectively abandoned
the colonial settlements that already existed beyond the Allegheny Mountains.
Pontiac’s War and fears of a French reconquest of Quebec necessitated the stationing of more troops
in North America. Paying for this required new taxes, and since America would be the beneficiary,
the Whig government of George Grenville decided to make the colonies pay. Its first attempt to
do this was the Sugar Act of 1764, which was technically an update to an existing Navigation
Act. This drew some protests from New England rum distillers, but like the act it replaced,
most colonists simply ignored or dodged the tax. It would be the Stamp Act of 1765 that provoked
actual anger. The Act required that all legal paper be purchased from London with
a revenue stamp certifying its legality. Though a longstanding tax in Britain,
this was the first direct tax placed on any American colonies. It was first announced in
April 1764 but not enacted until March 1765. This proved disastrous for Granville’s plan,
as the delay in the act’s implementation allowed the colonies time to prepare to resist it. The
colonies learned of the Act’s passing in early May 1764. By late May, every English-speaking colony
from Nova Scotia to Jamaica made clear their intent to resist the tax. In the Caribbean,
the strong Royal Navy garrison kept protests muted, though most ports refused to enforce
the tax. However, the continental colonies all saw street protests, including the burning in effigy
of both tax collectors and the prime minister. Boston saw the loudest protests. Beginning with
peaceful street demonstrations organized by the nascent Sons of Liberty under James Otis and
Samuel Adams, it quickly escalated to violence. Tax collectors were assaulted in the streets,
their houses and offices attacked, and even the lieutenant governor was attacked and expelled
from his official residence. However, it was New York that planned the most effective resistance
to the Stamp Act. In addition to refusing to quarter British troops, the merchants organized
a boycott of British goods, the coordination of which was the focus of the Stamp Act Congress
in October held in New York City. Declaration of Rights and Grievances
It also sent a Declaration of Rights and Grievances that would form the basis of
colonial protests over the next ten years. The Declaration laid out the colonial position:
since they were English and guaranteed the rights and privileges thereof, they were only
subject to taxation from elected governments. They didn’t vote for Parliament, so it could not tax
them. Moreover, they had natural rights as human beings which were being ignored. These principles
eventually became the continental rallying cry of “No taxation without representation.”
This declaration posed a huge threat to Parliament’s plans, mostly because it was
technically true . During the winter of 1764 as crisis loomed, Grenville claimed
virtual representation solved the problem, for which he was ridiculed in Parliament
and the colonies. This loss of credibility and news of the colonial protests led to the
fall of Grenville’s government in July 1765. While the colonies celebrated the Stamp Act’s
repeal, the next battle loomed. Simultaneous with the repeal, Parliament passed the Declaratory Act,
stating that Parliament had the same powers in America as it did in Britain. Parliament intended
to try again, and now Townshend had his personal reputation to save. Thus beginning in 1767 the
five Townshend Acts were passed. These acts were intended to raise revenue, tighten Parliament’s
control of trade, and punish New York for refusing to quarter troops. Once again, there were
riots in Boston and widespread boycotts. At the Massachusetts assembly’s behest, numerous colonial
legislatures began to send petitions to King George asking him to intervene and protect their
rights as Englishmen. The petitions went nowhere, as the King was firmly on Parliament’s side.
However, most alarming was the Circular Letter written by Otis and Adams and passed
by the Massachusetts assembly in February 1768, stating that Parliament was acting
unconstitutionally in continuing to tax the colonies without representing them. It was
sent to other legislatures, to their approval. In response, the Colonial Secretary Lord Hillsborough
ordered Massachusetts to withdraw the letter. When it refused, Hillsborough ordered the
assembly dissolved and sent two thousand troops to occupy Boston that September.
The Boston Massacre Tensions mounted for the next year
and a half, especially in occupied and resentful Boston. On the night of March 5, this resentment
boiled over. A guard on duty outside the Custom House got into an argument with a wig maker's
apprentice , eventually hitting him with his musket. This caused onlookers to begin harassing
the guard. The crowd kept growing and he retreated up the steps and called for help. Captain Thomas
Preston soon arrived with seven soldiers and ordered the crowd of several hundred to disperse.
Instead, the crowd started throwing snowballs, rocks, and insults at the soldiers. Then
innkeeper Richard Palmes, carrying a cudgel, approached Preston, asking if the soldiers'
muskets were loaded. Preston said they were, but they’d only fire on his order. Just then,
a missile knocked down Private Hugh Montgomery. Dazed, he retrieved his musket, shouted “Damn you,
fire!” and fired. Palmes then swung his cudgel at Montgomery, hitting his arm, then at Preston,
also hitting his arm. After a pause , the rest of the soldiers opened fire. Three Americans
died instantly, and two more would die of their wounds. Both sides called for reinforcements and
a full riot seemed imminent. Order was only restored when the governor himself arrived at
the Custom House and promised an investigation. A trial ultimately resulted in two soldiers being
found guilty of manslaughter. News of the incident spread like wildfire and was immediately used as
anti-Parliament propaganda, with Paul Revere’s engraving calling it The Boston Massacre the
most well known. The propaganda worked, and anti-Parliament sentiment spread rapidly.
North Comes to Power By coincidence, on the same day as the Massacre,
the recently appointed Tory Prime Minister Lord North repealed most of the Whig Townshend Acts,
citing lack of revenue they generated. However, he kept the tax on tea and the Boston garrison
intact, and further signaled to the colonies that this was the new status quo. Parliament was done
backing down. In response, the colonies continued organizing. The Committees of Correspondence,
first set up by the Sons of Liberty to coordinate opposition to the Stamp Act,
became more active and spread to more colonies. However, 1771 and 1772 were otherwise quiet and
it looked like the conflict might be allowed to burn out. However, Lord North wasn’t finished.
In May 1773, the Tea Act was passed. Not a tax, it instead allowed the British East India Company
the right to sell unlimited tea to the Thirteen Colonies at a discount. However, the Colonies saw
it for what the North intended it to be: a ploy to get them to buy more tea, paying the tea tax,
and implicitly accepting Parliament’s right to tax them. This led nearly every colony to refuse
tea to be landed in their ports. Boston went further, again, with the Boston Tea Party on
December 16th. This was the final straw for North, who decided that harsh action needed to be taken
to put the colonies in their place. Massachusetts and especially Boston would be made an example.
The fuse of revolution was now lit. The Intolerable Acts
At the next session of Parliament , the five Intolerable Acts were passed.
The first four , called the Coercive Acts, all directly punished Boston: closing the city port,
placing it under military governance, allowing officials to try anyone in British courts rather
than local ones, and requiring more extensive troop quartering. To enforce these acts, General
Gage was appointed governor of Massachusetts and ordered to consolidate his garrisons in
Boston and move his headquarters there, which was accomplished in May 1774. This would not
produce the results London intended. Gage had been stationed in North America since 1755,
only occasionally returning to Britain, and was quite sympathetic to the colonies' grievances.
He would try to separate his duties as governor from his duties as an occupier, to little effect.
It was the fifth act that would prove most damaging to Britain's hold on the colonies.
Unrelated to the Coercive Acts but passed at the same session, the Quebec Act outraged all
parts of colonial society, even Parliament’s strongest defenders. To placate the Canadiens,
the Act restored rights to Catholics in Quebec, allowed the use of French civil law,
and most importantly, expanded Quebec’s borders to include the Ohio River Valley,
forever denying it to the American colonists . This was seen as a complete betrayal and
drove many previously moderate loyalist Americans towards the Sons of Liberty and the patriot camp.
The First Continental Congress On September 5, delegates from
every colony but Georgia met in Philadelphia for the First Continental Congress. After first
issuing the Declaration of Rights , they agreed to resist the Intolerable Acts via a complete
boycott of British imports, and to pressure the West Indies colonies to do the same. Congress
then adjourned with an agreement to reconvene the next year if their grievances weren’t addressed.
The boycott quickly put enormous pressure on Lord North to back down. However, with the
king solidly behind him, North refused to budge even as British exports to America plummeted.
Whether the boycott could have worked will never be known, as events in Boston overtook everyone.
Even before arriving in Boston, Gage realized that his position was impossible. He had roughly
3,000 soldiers in Boston, which was more than needed to keep order in a city of 16,000 but
far too few to control the countryside. He was effectively trapped in Boston, and lacked the
authority or resources to change his situation. He refused to actively oppress the population,
but couldn’t negotiate with them either. Instead, he hoped removing the colonists'
ability to fight would reduce their resistance. On September 1, 1774, Gage dispatched 260 soldiers
to seize the Powder House, the largest gunpowder magazine in Massachusetts,
a few miles northwest of Boston. After capturing and removing the powder without resistance,
a contingent stopped in Cambridge to seize two cannons. The next day, a crowd of thousands of
militiamen swarmed Cambridge, acting on rumors of British regulars attacking Boston and worse.
This forced several prominent loyalists to flee into the city for military protection.
As facts became clearer, the militia dispersed, with Gage understandably perturbed by the
swiftness and scale of the response . He didn’t know that he was under constant surveillance
by the Sons of Liberty, now led by Dr. Joseph Warren. He soon learned that other colonies were
moving their militia stores further inland, away from his reach. Massachusetts militia also moved
their unseized cannons out of Boston to Concord and began looking for more powder to replace
the lost stores. Recognizing the situation, Gage resolved to take no further provocative action.
Unfortunately, Parliament had contrary plans. In February 1775, King George declared before both
Houses of Parliament that a state of rebellion existed in Massachusetts. Immediately afterwards,
Secretary of State William Legge ordered Gage to quash the rebellion, disarm the militia,
disband the Massachusetts assembly and arrest their leaders . How was left to Gage’s discretion,
but it was to be done as quickly as possible. In the next episode of our history of the
American revolution, Paul Revere will go on his midnight ride, and continental militias
will clash with the British at Bunker Hill. To ensure you do not miss that,
make sure you are subscribed and press the bell button. Please, consider liking,
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