History

American Revolution Podcast

American Revolution Podcast explores the events of the American Revolution, from beginning to end. It publishes weekly. Be sure to check out the related blog for access to pictures, maps, and links to more useful information on each week’s episode. https://blog.amrevpodcast.com

Latest Episodes:

Episode 024: Stamp Act Repeal and Declaratory Act Dec 24, 2017

Show notes

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 immediately set about to repeal the law. The problem was, Parliament did not want to look like it was backing down in the face of mob violence, or sending the message that it accepts colonial assertions that Parliament cannot impose taxes on the colonies. After months of wrangling and infighting, King George let it be known that he supports the repeal. Parliament passed the repeal, but on the same day also passes the Declaratory Act which says Parliament still has the authority to pass such laws whenever it wants.

For more text, pictures, maps, and sources, please visit my site at AmRevPodcast.Blogspot.com.

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Episode 023: The Stamp Act Congress Dec 17, 2017

Show notes

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 time, was imposing a direct tax on the colonists, even though they had no representation in Parliament.

For more text, pictures, maps, and sources, please visit my site at AmRevPodcast.Blogspot.com.

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Episode 022: The Stamp Act and Quartering Act of 1765 Dec 10, 2017

Show notes

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 contribute more. To help with enforcement, Parliament also passed the Quartering act, forcing colonies to pay for housing for soldiers in their colonies.

For more text, pictures, maps, and sources, please visit my site at AmRevPodcast.Blogspot.com.

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Episode 021: The Colonies React to Taxes Dec 03, 2017

Show notes

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 Wheelwright Scandal makes all of this worse. British restrictions on western lands cuts off a traditional economic resource.

The colonies send petitions to London protesting the changes. They also begin writing editorials and circulating pamphlets among themselves as they start to orginaize colonial opposition. British customs officials face opposition at all levels as they attempt to enforce the law.

For more text, pictures, maps, and sources, please visit my site at AmRevPodcast.Blogspot.com.

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Episode 020: The Sugar Act & Currency Act of 1764 Nov 26, 2017

Show notes

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 Quartering Act, to make colonies pay for the quartering of British Regulars within their borders, whether they are there to protect the colonists or to enforce tariff and trade laws.

For more text, pictures, maps, and sources, please visit my site at AmRevPodcast.Blogspot.com.

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Episode 019: Suppressing the Indians Nov 19, 2017

Show notes

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. Gage follows through on Amherst's attack plan, sending out two expeditions to destroy Indian villages and kill anyone they find, taking no prisoners.

By the time the expeditions leave in the summer of 1764, the leaders find almost all tribes ready to settle. Indian attempts to bring the French back into the fight have failed. Most Chiefs realize they cannot continue the war. The Treaty of Niagara returns the Seneca to peace. Other tribes request diplomatic negotiations, eventually resulting in the Treaty of Fort Ontario in 1766. This Treaty recognizes British rule as far west as the Mississippi River.

Meanwhile, King George III issues the Royal Proclamation of 1763, requiring all British colonial settlements to remain east of the Allegheny mountains, thus forbidding westward colonial expansion. The colonists strongly oppose this restriction.

For more text, pictures, maps, and sources, please visit my site at AmRevPodcast.Blogspot.com.

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Episode 018: Pontiac's War Nov 12, 2017

Show notes

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 and colonists hunker down in forts, flee the region, or die horrible deaths.

For more text, pictures, maps, and sources, please visit my site at AmRevPodcast.Blogspot.com.

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Episode 017: Parsons Cause, Bishops, and Trade Nov 05, 2017

Show notes

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 enforcement of trade tariffs through the use of general warrants.

For more text, pictures, maps, and sources, please visit my site at AmRevPodcast.Blogspot.com.

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Episode 016: Treaty of Paris & Wilkes Affair Oct 29, 2017

Show notes

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, you cannot criticize the King like any other politician. He goes on to become a hero for the cause of British liberities.

For more text, pictures, maps, and sources, please visit my site at AmRevPodcast.Blogspot.com.

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Episode 015: Cherokee Uprising, Fighting in West Indies & Spain joins the War. Oct 22, 2017

Show notes

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, please visit my site at AmRevPodcast.Blogspot.com.

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