Becoming a Nation

The Root of the Conflict

England believed that colonists were represented in Parliament

Colonists believed only represented by colonial legislaturesDid not vote for members of

Parliament“NO TAXATION WITHOUT

REPRESENTATION”

Root of the Conflict

England only allowed colonies to trade with England

Colonies wanted to trade with everyone

Independence?

NO, most people do not want Independence from EnglandWant to be treated fairly, like

British citizensWill take a lot of time and effort to

convince people to declare independence

Push Factors

England imposed series of taxes to raise money from the coloniesSugar Act, Stamp Act, Quartering

Act, Townshend Acts, Tea Act, Intolerable Act

Enraged colonists (NTWR)Petitioned, protested, and boycotted

taxes

At this time, the Molasses Act of 1733, which required merchants to pay a tax of six pence per gallon on foreign molasses, was about to expire. The Molasses Act was not largely successful, because the tax was easy to evade. Lord Grenville wanted to make the tax more effective. With the Sugar Act, passed on April 5, 1764, the tax on molasses was reduced from six pence to three, but Grenville took measures to make sure it was strictly enforced. Sugar, wine, coffee, pimento and printed calico were also taxed under the Sugar Act, and regulations were made for the export of lumber and iron. The Act dramatically reduced American trade with Madeira, the Azores, the Canary Islands and the French West Indies, which badly hurt the colonial economy.

Although the main purpose of the Sugar Act was to end smuggling and create a better trade system, not to oppress the colonists, they still viewed it as oppressive.

This political cartoon, published by a British newspaper, shows a tax collector being tarred, feathered, and forced to drink tea by a group of rebellious Bostonians. The Stamp Act, a tax on printed paper, hangs upside down on a tree. The tree also holds a waiting noose. In the background, rebels dump tea (another taxed item) into the harbor. All of this activity demonstrates the Bostonians’ anger at “taxation without representation.” The tone of the cartoon suggests the British artist’s indignation at the events.

Limited Government

Colonists came with the idea that the government is not all-powerful

Gov’t is restricted in what it can do and every individual has certain rights that can’t be taken away

Continental Congress

First 1774 – 12 colonies, 56 delegatesConvince England to respect colonists’ rightsAgreed to meet again if no changes had been

madeOlive Branch Petition

Second 1775MA already fightingThomas Paine’s Common Sense published