| Lecture 9: Global War and Imperial Crisis | |
| I. Imperial neglect and the expansion of the colonies | |
| II. Imperial reform and the triumph of English Protestant nationalism | |
| III. From military ascendancy to political instability — onset of imperial crisis | |
| 1748-1749 | Glory of British Empire |
|---|---|
| 1748 | Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle |
| 1749 | Handel, “Music for the Royal Fireworks” |
| 1720-1770 | Demographic and Economic Growth in British North American Colonies |
| white population in colonies | |
| 1720 | 397,000 |
| 1770 | 1,688,000 (+325%) |
| value of colonial exports to England | |
| 1720 | 468,000 |
| 1770 | 1,016,000 (+117%) |
| value of colonial imports from England | |
| 1720 | 320,000 |
| 1770 | 1,926,000 (+502%) |
| 1720-1764 | British Colonial Administration |
| 1720-1748 | neglect of colonies |
| 1748-1761 | reform of colonial administration by Lord Halifax and Board of Trade |
| 1754-1763 | war between England and France, in North America; contest for Native American allegiances |
| 1763 | Treaty of Paris (absorb Florida and Canada) Royal Proclamation (stay east of Appalachians) |
| 1756-1761 | Cherokee uprising in SC and GA |
| 1763-1764 | Pontiac’s uprising in PA and VA |
| English ”Liberty“ — The Perfect Balanced Government for Nation and Empire | |
| monarchy (Crown/King) matched to appointed governor in colonies | |
| aristocracy (House of Lords) matched to appointed council in colonies | |
| democracy (House of Commons) matched to elected assembly in colonies | |
| 1760-1770 | Political Destabilization in England |
| 1720-1760 | 3 prime ministers in 40 years |
| 1760 | King George III (age 22) |
| 1760-1770 | 7 prime ministers in 10 years |
| 1763 | Economic Crisis in Postwar England |
| national debt: | 137,000,000 pounds |
| annual budget: | 8,000,000 pounds |
| annual interest payment on debt: | 5,000,000 pounds |
| annual cost of army: (10,000 soldiers stationed in colonies) |
400,000 pounds |
| 1764-1775 | Innovations in Imperial Policy |
| 1764 | Sugar Act — began to tighten customs enforcement |
| 1765 | Stamp Act — began to impose new taxes (one new tax) |
| 1766 | Stamp Act repealed |
| 1767 | Townsend Act (many new taxes) |
| 1770 | Townsend Act repealed |
| 1773 | Tea Act |
| 1774 |
Boston Act (closed port of Boston) |