HY 135 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Suffolk Resolves, Thomas Gage, Prohibitory Act
Document Summary
Parliament could regulate trade only with colonial consent. Parliament did not have right to tax colonies. Agreed to hold a second meeting in spring 1775 if intolerable acts not repealed. Colonial leaders believed they were resisting encroachments on liberties, not working for independence. Fighting began long before most colonists convinced of the need for or wisdom of independence. General gage confiscated weapons that massachusetts stored in concord. Approximately 270 casualties for british, 95 for colonists. New situation: armed confrontation with most powerful military in the world. Assumed responsibilities of sovereign government: (since britain crossed a line) Purchased military supplies and issued paper money to pay for them. Mass of people not ready to take this step. Took a cannon, mounted cannon to threaten the british. August 1775 george iii declared colonies in state of rebellion. November 1775 lord dunmore, gov. of virginia, urged slaves of patriot masters to take up arms. Thomas paine provided the answer in common sense .
