6. Resistance or Rebellion? (Or, What the Heck is Happening in Boston?)

The American Revolution (HIST 116)

Professor Freeman discusses the mounting tensions between the colonists and the British in the late 1760s and early 1770s. The Virginia Resolves were published and read throughout the colonies in 1765, and generated discussion about colonial rights and liberties. Colonies began working together to resolve their problems, and formed the Stamp Act Congress in 1765. Meanwhile, Boston was becoming more radicalized and mobs began acting out their frustration with British policies. Colonists began to believe that the British were conspiring to oppress their liberties, a belief that seemed to be confirmed when the British stationed troops in Boston. The mounting tension between the Bostonians and British troops culminated in the violence of the Boston Massacre in March 1770.

00:00 - Chapter 1. The Circulation of the Virginia Resolves
03:47 - Chapter 2. The Stamp Act Congress and Parliamentary Thoughts on the Stamp Act
10:11 - Chapter 3. Mob Protests by the Sons of Liberty
15:41 - Chapter 4. The Repeal of the Stamp Act and the Complications of the Declaratory Act
19:39 - Chapter 5. Reactions to the Townshend Acts and Samuel Adams's Propaganda
31:48 - Chapter 6. Different Viewpoints on the Boston Massacre

Complete course materials are available at the Open Yale Courses website: http://open.yale.edu/courses

This course was recorded in Spring 2010.