The loss of the American colonies 1770-1783
Introduction
The loss of the 13 American colonies was caused by Britain’s conflict with France
British policy was based off stopping France’s territorial expansion globally as well as
Europe
Britain needed to fund a conflict – hence some of the policy choices in the 1770s
o Colonials believed the new taxation was unacceptable
1760s and 70s, British showed American colonies new economic terms
o Seemed sensible to British but caused a breakdown in relations
Boston in 1770 (Biggest Colony)
In 1770, colonials rioted against British duties on imports to colonies
British stationed 600 troops from Sept 1768
o Inflamed tensions further
Baiting troops & avoiding taxes = patriotic – according to pamphleteers
o Young boys & men rioted every Thursday
Events
22nd Feb 1770 - Man loyal to British suspected on informing on others was trapped
in house by Thursday mob
o Fired on crowd & killed 11 year old boy
2nd Mar- Factory workers attack British soldiers (Redcoats) causing street battle
5th Mar Boston Massacre– Small amount of troops guarding customs house fired into
protesting Bostonians and killed 5 people
Why did tensions between colonists and British reach a point of no return between 1770
and 1775?
Issue of customs collection and tea duties
Nature of colonial society
Economy was agriculturally based but were differences between colonies
o New England colonies = small subsistence farmers – extensive fishing industry
o Middle colonies = source of wheat and flour
o Southern colonies = dominated by tobacco
Very labour intensive – slaves were imported to help provide labour
Despite the differences in colonies, it is possible to make generalisations about settlers and
colonies
Majority of settlers were protestant – most of British chose to make journey because
of persecution at home
Unlike England, In America, most white men worked and owned land because of
availability
Most settlers were in agricultural production
In towns, skilled workers could negotiate higher prices due to scarcity of labour
o Meant far more white men enjoyed sense of independence
Had status such as landowners and voters – didn’t have in Europe
American colonists had more political experience than their European contemporaries
Introduction
The loss of the 13 American colonies was caused by Britain’s conflict with France
British policy was based off stopping France’s territorial expansion globally as well as
Europe
Britain needed to fund a conflict – hence some of the policy choices in the 1770s
o Colonials believed the new taxation was unacceptable
1760s and 70s, British showed American colonies new economic terms
o Seemed sensible to British but caused a breakdown in relations
Boston in 1770 (Biggest Colony)
In 1770, colonials rioted against British duties on imports to colonies
British stationed 600 troops from Sept 1768
o Inflamed tensions further
Baiting troops & avoiding taxes = patriotic – according to pamphleteers
o Young boys & men rioted every Thursday
Events
22nd Feb 1770 - Man loyal to British suspected on informing on others was trapped
in house by Thursday mob
o Fired on crowd & killed 11 year old boy
2nd Mar- Factory workers attack British soldiers (Redcoats) causing street battle
5th Mar Boston Massacre– Small amount of troops guarding customs house fired into
protesting Bostonians and killed 5 people
Why did tensions between colonists and British reach a point of no return between 1770
and 1775?
Issue of customs collection and tea duties
Nature of colonial society
Economy was agriculturally based but were differences between colonies
o New England colonies = small subsistence farmers – extensive fishing industry
o Middle colonies = source of wheat and flour
o Southern colonies = dominated by tobacco
Very labour intensive – slaves were imported to help provide labour
Despite the differences in colonies, it is possible to make generalisations about settlers and
colonies
Majority of settlers were protestant – most of British chose to make journey because
of persecution at home
Unlike England, In America, most white men worked and owned land because of
availability
Most settlers were in agricultural production
In towns, skilled workers could negotiate higher prices due to scarcity of labour
o Meant far more white men enjoyed sense of independence
Had status such as landowners and voters – didn’t have in Europe
American colonists had more political experience than their European contemporaries
