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THE PATRIOT
Historical background
By the eighteenth century, people from all over Europe have founded colonies across the Americas. Their arrival has brought them in conflict with the native peoples of the region (whom they dub ‘Indians’ due to Christopher Colombus’s original miscalculation that he was in India when he discovered the continent).
For years, rival European powers have struggled for dominance in the region. This culminates in the French and Indian War of 1754-63, in which France and many Indian nations unite against Britain and its colonies. Britain emerges as the supreme power in north America and the French are driven out.
To pay for this huge military effort, and to maintain a standing army to secure British supremacy, the colonists are taxed heavily, even though they have no representation in the British parliament. The Sons of Liberty, led by Boston brewer Sam Adams, is formed in opposition to a particularly severe piece of tax legislation, the Stamp Act, passed in 1765.
The Act is repealed the following year, but The Townshend Acts introduce a new tax on certain British imports – like glass, paper, paint and tea – which is deeply unpopular. Soon the colonies refuse to buy any British goods at all.This tension erupts into violence in 1770. Colonists taunt British soldiers, who fire into the crowd, killing five and wounding six, in what becomes known as the Boston Massacre.
Three years later, the Tea Act gives British merchants a monopoly on the sale of tea to the colonies. Protests are widespread. In Boston, a group of colonists disguise themselves as Indians, sneak on to a ship and dump tons of tea into the harbour. This incident becomes known ironically as the ‘Boston Tea Party’ and the authorities respond by closing the port until the tea is paid for. Massachusetts loses the right to self-government and is placed under British rule.
In 1774, colonists unite to hold the First Continental Congress. Delegates vote for a boycott of British trade and declare that Britain has no authority to pass laws governing the colonies without their consent. Parliament refuses to accept this and the colonies prepare for war … |
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