This document provides a summary of several topics related to the American colonies in the 18th century. It discusses how wars increased taxes on colonists who went from the least taxed to highest taxed citizens in Europe. It also describes how unemployment increased in cities due to disabled veterans and declining jobs. Finally, it notes that most colonists did not want independence initially but neither side would back down from new English taxes, leading to war.

1. American Colonies: Prelude to Revolutions By Tiffany Jacobs HIST 140 (#50607)

3. Nine Years War

4. Control American colonies & Ireland, defend Dutch allies

5. Tax burdens were increased

6. Went from least taxed citizens in Europe to highest taxed citizens

7. Shift in power

8. Increased debt & servicing

9. Bank if England was formed

10. Parliament demanded more power to fiscally manage & tax citizens

11. “Taxation without representation” caused Revolution in AmericaRevolutions, Men & Money

13. Supported piracy when it served the country

14. England pirated strong Spanish rivals

15. Kept England competitive

16. During Ear of Spanish Succession

17. Suppressed piracy when it hurt

18. England condemned piracy after it affected their trade relations with India

19. Piracy was an economic “necessity” to support the colonies

20. Pirates Practiced democracy

21. Majority ruled and made decisions

22. Loot & booty was split evenly

23. Captain was allowed to be captain as long as the majority accepted him as captainRevolutions, Pirates

25. Impoverished populations increased in urban areas

26. Imperial wars increased number of disabled & alcoholic veterans in cities

27. Number of widows & orphans increased too

28. Emigration increased work force without increasing jobs in seaports

29. Cold-weather cycle affected jobs

30. British creditors affected unemployment rates by limiting credit or calling loans due

31. “Poverty” on farms too

32. They had food on their table but debts far exceeded the income

33. Large families lived in tiny farm houses with dirt floors & worked diligently

34. Most could not afford tools & suppliesThe Atlantic, Poverty

36. Male membership declined as female membership maintained

37. Most were eager to get baptized but were less hasty in receiving communion

38. Conflicts arose between the evangelicals and the rationalists

39. Differed on what “type” of God they are worshipping

40. Differed on how to worship

41. There was large diversity in churches and many choices

42. Congregationalists were largest group with450 churches

43. Anglicans were second largest with 300 parishes

44. Quakers had 250 meetings, Presbyterians had 160 churches, Baptists had 100 churches, Lutherans had 95 churches, Dutch Reformed had 78 churches, German Reformed had 51 churches

45. There were also Jewish synagogues & Catholic churchesAwakenings, Growth & Limits

47. Most colonists did not want national independence

48. England insisted on new taxes

49. Who would back down?

50. Growing population in the colonies led to a powerful new confidence

51. England was equally confident after defeating the French & Spanish

52. Neither side backed down & war cost many lives

53. After victory, the new U.S. began to expand across the continent

54. Expansion cost lives of Native Americans, Hispanics & slaves

55. “Thomas Jefferson aptly described the U.S. as an ‘empire of liberty,’ by and for the white citizenry.”Imperial Wars & Crisis, Empire of Liberty

57. Island chiefs sought weapons

58. Some natives left the islands on trade ships

59. Some members of the military deserted to enjoy the “island life”

60. Brought the usual scourges: disease, weeds, missionaries, and weapons

61. British naval officer gave Kamehameha a European-style warship

62. He seemed to be the dominant chief

63. In hopes of gaining a unified allyThe Pacific, Kamehameha