Prohibitory Act 1775

The Prohibitory Act 1775 was passed as a measure of retaliation by Great Britain against the general rebellion then going on in her American colonies, which became known as the American Revolutionary War (or, to the British, the American War of Independence).

• First Continental Congress met September 5, 1775 in Philadelphia 
• Colonies were attempting to start a rebellion against the British Rule and Parliament
• Colonists had stopped trade with Britain
• American Colonies had decided they wanted to be free and had created their own government

 The Liberty Song

One of the earliest Patriotic Songs in the Thirteen Colonies

Among growing tensions between England and the Colonies, the original lyrics were changed in 1770 and the name of the song was changed to "The Massachusetts Song of Liberty".

 

 

Original Version

Come, join hand in hand, brave Americans all,
And rouse your bold hearts at fair Liberty's call;
No tyrannous acts shall suppress your just claim,
Or stain with dishonor America's name.

British Era, 1763-1775

A map showing the layout of the territory Britain ruled and of the French territory that was later ceded by the Spanish.

At this point the 13 colonies were starting to realize and form their own government.

 Timeline to the Revolutionary War

1754- French and Indian War

(AKA:  Seven Years' War 1756)

In 1754, British Colonists fought against the French and Indians over land ownership.  Disputes arose mainly in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  The British wanted to expand westward into the French owned territory.  The Colonists desired a better life for themselves and their family, hoping to gain that through land ownership and the natural resources available such as the fur trade. 

1763-Treaty of Paris(End to the French and Indian War and Seven Years' War)

Most of the British felt American's benefited from the French and Indian War as they were able to have more land ownership and settle on the the land and live. This ended the Seven Years' War.

1765-Stamp Act

In order to raise revenue for the British and pay off the debt incurred in the French and Indian War, Britain enforced a tax on all types of paper documents that would be taxed.  Newspapers, all printed materials, contracts and such would be produced in Britain and embossed with a special stamp to prove it was a legitimate document.

Economic Considerations in British America

The 13 Colonies have a very important impact on Britain's economy:

• 40 percent of  all exported goods from Britain is sent  to America
• Rum is the most valuable currency and is used to purchase African Slaves who work the southern fields cultivating tobacco, cotton, sugar and rice
• The British imply a tax on every item sold or exchanged

 

Africans were taken as slaves by the British to meet the needs of colonial planters and after 1672, the Royal African Company was formed.  K.G. Davies stated "the strongest and most effective of all European companies formed exclusively for the African trade".