CAUSES OF THE REVOLUTION (1763-1765.)
21. REFERENCES.
BIBLIOGRAPHIES.—Justin Winsor, Handbook of the Revolution, 1-25, and Narrative and Critical History, VI. 62-112; W. E. Foster, Monthly Reference Lists, No. 79; Channing and Hart, Guide, §§ 134-136.
HISTORICAL MAPS.—No. 2, this volume (Epoch Maps, No. 5); Labberton,
Historical Atlas, lxiv.; Gardiner, School Atlas, No. 46; Francis
Parkman, Pontiac, frontispiece; Putzger, Atlas, No. 21; B. A.
Hinsdale, Old Northwest, I. 68 (reprinted from MacCoun, Historical
Geography).
GENERAL ACCOUNTS.—R. Frothingham, Rise of the Republic, 158-401; E. Channing, United States, 1765-1865, ch. ii.; Geo. Bancroft, United States (original ed.) V., VII, chs. i-xxvi. (last revision III., IV. chs. i-viii.); W. E. H. Lecky, England in the Eighteenth Century, III. ch. xii.; R. Hildreth, United States, II. 514-577; III. 25-56; G. T. Curtis, Constitutional History, I. i.; J. M. Ludlow, War of Independence, ch. iii.; Abiel Holmes, Annals of America, II. 124-198; Bryant and Gay, United States, III. 329-376; Justin Winsor, Narrative and Critical History, VI. ch. i.; T. Pitkin, United States, I. 155-281; H, C. Lodge, Colonies, ch. xxiii.; J. R. Green, English People, IV., 218-234; W. M. Sloane, French War and Revolution, chs. x.-xiv.; Adolphus, England, II. 134-332 passim; Grahame, United States, IV. book xi. Biographies of John Adams, Samuel Adams, Otis, Dickinson, Hutchinson, Franklin, and Washington.
SPECIAL HISTORIES.—W. B. Weeden, Economic and Special History of New
England, II. chs. xviii., xix.; Wm. Tudor, Life of James Otis; J. K.
Hosmer, Samuel Adams, 21-312; J. T. Morse, Benjamin Franklin, 99-201;
M. C. Tyler, Literature of the Revolution, I., and Patrick Henry,
32-147; H. C. Lodge, George Washington, I. ch. iv.
CONTEMPORARY ACCOUNTS.—Works of Washington, Franklin, Patrick Henry, and
John Adams; James Otis, Rights of the British Colonies asserted and
proved: Examination of Franklin (Franklin, Works, IV. 161-195); W. B.
Donne, Correspondence of George III. with Lord North [1768-1783]; John
Dickinson, Farmer's Letters; Jonathan Trumbull, McFingal (epic poem);
Mercy Warren, History of the American Revolution; Thomas Hutchinson,
History of Massachusetts, III., and Diary and Letters; Joseph
Galloway, Candid Examination; Stephen Hopkins, Rights of the Colonies
Examined.—Reprints in Library of American Literature, III.; Old South
Leaflets; American History told by Contemporaries, II.
22. THE CONDITION OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE (1763).
[Sidenote: England's greatness.]
In 1763 the English were the most powerful nation in the world. The British islands, with a population of but 8,000,000 were the administrative centre of a vast colonial empire. Besides their American possessions, the English had a foothold in Africa through the possession of the former Dutch Cape Colony, and had laid the foundation of the present Indian Empire; small islands scattered through many seas furnished naval stations and points of defence. The situation of England bears a striking resemblance to the situation of Athens at the close of the Persian wars: a trading nation, a naval power, a governing race, a successful military people; the English completed the parallel by tightening the reins upon their colonies till they revolted. Of the other European powers, Portugal and Spain still preserved colonial empires in the West; but Spain was decaying. Great Britain had not only gained territory and prestige from the war, she had risen rich and prosperous, and a national debt of one hundred and forty million pounds was borne without serious difficulty.