American Revolution Podcast

The Stamp Act took effect on November 1, 1765. But colonial opposition prevented the use of any stamps. Protesters forced newspapers, courts, and ports to operate without stamped paper. Creditors could not go to court to collect on debts and trading vessels stop going to England. As a result, English merchants joined in opposition to the Act. Prime Minister Rockingham replaced Grenville and immedi...

Colonists at all levels of society protested the Stamp Act of 1765. Newspapers railed against it. Mobs marched in the streets, and destroyed the homes of tax agents and other supporters. Colonial politicians not only spoke out against the Act but organized the Stamp Act Congress to coordinate a unified response to this tax. At issue was "taxation without representation." Parliament, for the first...

In 1765 Prime Minister Grenville led passage of the Stamp Act through Parliament. He designed the tax on newspapers, legal documents and a host of other paper to collect revenues from the colonies. Although some radical Whigs like William Pitt opposed the new taxes, the law sailed through Parliament with relative ease. Parliament wanted to pay off its war debt and thought the colonies needed to co...

Following the passage of the Sugar Act in 1764, the British colonies in North America begin to organize opposition. The new taxes and trade enforcement policies hits the colonies just when they are experiencing other economic problems. Brtiain's removal of war subsidies leads to growing unemployment and a general lack of jobs. The Currency Act contributes to exisiting money shortages.  The Wheelwr...

In 1764, with Britain under a massive debt from the Seven Years War and with increased costs of maintaining its new colonies, the Grenville Ministry passes the Sugar Act to raise revenue from the colonists. The Act itself actually cuts tariff rates, but also institutes enforcement measures to ensure the colonists cannot evade the taxes as easily as they did in the past. Parliament also passes the...

In 1764, in response to the Native American attacks known as Pontiac's War, the colonists strike back at the Indians, killing the guilty and innocent alike. Gen. Amherst approves use of smallpox against the Indians. He proposes a campaign of terror and slaughter against the tribes. At the insistence of Indian agent Sir William Johnson, London recalls Amherst, leaving Gen. Thomas Gage in charge. Ga...

By 1763, France has left Canada after losing the the French and Indian war. British soldiers and colonists continue to occupy land west of the Allegheny mountains in violation of promises. To save money, Britain stops making annual gifts to the tribes. The Indian tribes unite and rise up against these continuing violations of treaties. The tribes seize multiple forts and besiege others. Soldiers a...

As the Seven Years War comes to an end, Britain and her colonies begin bickering over issues unrelated to the war. In Virginia, a new lawyer named Patrick Henry convinces a jury not to pay ministers the wage required under the law. The Archbishop of Canterbury is thwarted in his attempts to force New England to accept an Anglican Bishop. James Otis Jr. becomes an early advocate against the enforce...

The French try for one last land claim in North America at the Battle of Signal Hill. Following the end of combat, the British army in America shrinks, removing men and money from the colonies. Britain finally ends the Seven Years War with France and Spain through the Treaty of Paris in 1763. British politician John Wilkes learns the hard way that although the King has gotten involved in politics,...

The Cherokee go to war against the settlers in the Carolinas who are encroaching on their land. Britain captures French colonies in the West Indies (what we today call the Caribbean). Newcastle and Pitt leave the government as the Earl of Bute takes charge. Spain finally joins France in the war against Britain, only to lose some of its own colonies.   For more text, pictures, maps, and sources, pl...

The British Army in America captures the final concentration of French forces at Montreal in 1760. This effectively ends major combat operations in North America. With the death of his grandfather, 22 year old King George III claims the throne.   For more text, pictures, maps, and sources, please visit my site at AmRevPodcast. Blogspot.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adch...

British Gen. Wolfe defeats French Gen. Montcalm on the Plains of Abraham in 1759. The British capture the key city of Quebec.  For more text, pictures, maps, and sources, please visit my site at AmRevPodcast. Blogspot.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After convincing most Indians to abandon the French in the Ohio Valley, the British take Fort Duquesne at the end of 1758. Gen. Amherst takes command of British forces for the 1759 fighting season, capturing Forts Niagara and Carillion as well. Fort Duquesne becomes Fort Pitt. Fort Carillion becomes Fort Ticonderoga.  For more text, pictures, maps, and sources, please visit my site at AmRevPodcast...

Gen. Amherst captures Louisbourg in Britain's first major victory of the French and Indian War. The British follow up with a successful raid on Fort Frontenac. In Pennsylvania, the British sign the Treaty of Eastong. This ends most of the military opposition of Indians in the Ohio Valley.   For more text, pictures, maps, and sources, please visit my site at AmRevPodcast. Blogspot.com.     Learn mo...

After continuing defeats, Britain changes leaders. It also adopts a new strategy for encouraging British colonial support for the war in North America. Gen. Abercromby's army assaults Fort Carillon at Ticonderoga. For more text, pictures, maps, and sources, please visit my site at AmRevPodcast. Blogspot.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The French offensive continues in 1757 as Gen. Montcalm takes Fort William Henry. France's Indian allies massacre part of the British and colonial garrison. In London, the King gives William Pitt a chance to turn around the war with new strategies.  For more text, pictures, maps, and sources, please visit my site at AmRevPodcast. Blogspot.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/a...

The French go on the offensive, capturing Forts Ontario and Oswego. The British retreat, ceding much of upper New York to the French and their Indian allies. Various tribes also move aggressively to push British colonists out of the Ohio Valley.  For more text, pictures, maps, and sources, please visit my site at AmRevPodcast. Blogspot.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adch...

The British expel the French inhabitants, of Acadia. The French and British fight over Lake George. Britain gets a new Prime Minister, the Duke of New Castle. Lord Loudoun arrives in America as the new British miltiary commander.   For more text, pictures, maps, and sources, please visit my site at AmRevPodcast. Blogspot.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Britain sends Gen. Braddock to America to recapture the Ohio Valley in 1755. He meets the French and Indians at the Battle of the Monongahela.  For more text, pictures, maps, and sources, please visit my site at AmRevPodcast. Blogspot.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Virginia sends a young man named George Washington into the Ohio Valley to challenge the French. There, he starts a world war.  For more text, pictures, maps, and sources, please visit my site at AmRevPodcast. Blogspot.com.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Britain and France had spent the prior century in almost continuous fighting. In American, Native tribes attempted to play off the two European powers against one another, while engaging in their own power struggles with neighboring tribes. Today's episode looks at the power dynamics in play before the outbreak of the French and Indian War.   For more text, pictures, maps, and sources, please visi...

Background on the American Colonies. For more text, pictures, maps, and sources, please visit my site at AmRevPodcast. Blogspot.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Background on the American Colonies. For more text, pictures, maps, and sources, please visit my site at AmRevPodcast. Blogspot.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today I begin the American Revolution Podcast. For more text, pictures, maps, and sources, please visit my site at AmrevPodcast.blogspot.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices