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A disrupted society, 1742 to 64
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New ideas, religious revival and war with France changed the colonies. Victory in 1763 created new problems.
Cultural change
The Great Awakening was a religious revival. Preachers like George Whitefield drew huge crowds and encouraged people to question authority.
The Enlightenment valued reason, science and education. Newspapers, pamphlets and almanacs spread ideas.
Benjamin Franklin was a printer, scientist and inventor. He experimented with electricity and proposed the Albany Plan (1754) for colonial unity.
The Enlightenment valued reason, science and education. Newspapers, pamphlets and almanacs spread ideas.
Benjamin Franklin was a printer, scientist and inventor. He experimented with electricity and proposed the Albany Plan (1754) for colonial unity.
War with France
During King George's War (1744 to 48) colonists captured Louisbourg, but it was handed back to France, angering them.
The French and Indian War (1754 to 63) decided who controlled North America. General James Wolfe captured Quebec in 1759, though he was killed.
The Treaty of Paris (1763) gave Britain Canada and French land east of the Mississippi. The Proclamation of 1763 banned settlement west of the Appalachians.
The French and Indian War (1754 to 63) decided who controlled North America. General James Wolfe captured Quebec in 1759, though he was killed.
The Treaty of Paris (1763) gave Britain Canada and French land east of the Mississippi. The Proclamation of 1763 banned settlement west of the Appalachians.
Aftermath
Britain had huge war debts and kept troops in America, so it wanted colonists to pay more. The Sugar Act (1764) was enforced strictly, and colonists protested that they had no representation in Parliament.
Pontiac's War (1763 to 64): Indigenous peoples attacked British forts.
Paxton Boys (1763 to 64): Pennsylvania frontiersmen killed peaceful Conestoga people and marched on Philadelphia.
Pontiac's War (1763 to 64): Indigenous peoples attacked British forts.
Paxton Boys (1763 to 64): Pennsylvania frontiersmen killed peaceful Conestoga people and marched on Philadelphia.
Explain one consequence of the Proclamation of 1763.
- It banned colonists from settling west of the Appalachians.
- Colonists who had fought for that land felt cheated.
- This increased resentment of British control.
Answer: It angered colonists by blocking westward settlement.
Great Awakening (Whitefield), Enlightenment, Franklin (Albany Plan 1754). King George's War 1744 to 48. French and Indian War 1754 to 63; Wolfe takes Quebec 1759. Treaty of Paris and Proclamation 1763. Sugar Act 1764; Pontiac's War; Paxton Boys.
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