Road to Independence1763-1776

Chapter 5

Relations with Britain• 1763—Great Britain tries to end troubles with

the Native Americans by issuing the Proclamation of 1763

• Prohibited colonist from moving west of the Appalachian Mountains

• Colonist feared that a large number of British troops in North America might be used to interfere with their liberties

• Distrust was growing between Britain and the colonies

Financial Troubles

• Great Britain had a huge debt after the French and Indian War.

• Desperate for new revenue (incoming money) the King and Parliament decide to tax the colonies their fair share

Britain’s Trade Laws• George Grenville becomes prime minister of Britain• Grenville decides to stop illegal smuggling of goods. • Smugglers to be sent to vice-admiralty courts• Writs of assistance

– legal document allowing custom agents to enter ANY location to search for smuggled goods

The Sugar Act• 1764 Parliament passes the Sugar Act• Was used to try to increase tax revenue • If caught smuggling officers are permitted to

seize goods without going to court• Writs of Assistance—violated their right to be

secure in their home• Vice-admiralty court---violated their right to trial

by jury “Guilty to Proven Innocent” • James Otis—Boston Lawyer argued for colonial

rights

The Stamp Act• 1765 Tax on almost all printed material in the

colonies (newspapers, playing cards, wills)• Opposition to Stamp Act focuses on 2 issues

– Parliament interfered in colonial affairs by taxing the colonies without consent– Parliament ignored the colonial tradition of self-government

Protesting the Stamp Act• Patrick Henry—young member of the Virginia

House of Burgesses– Persuaded the burgesses to take action– Virginia assembly passes a resolution

declaring it had the exclusive right and power to tax its citizens

• Samuel Adams in Boston forms the Sons of Liberty—protest the Stamp Act--1765

• 1765—Protesters burn effigies of tax collectors, also raided and destroyed houses

Stamp Act Congress• 1765 Delegates from 9 Colonies meet in NY• Declare they cant be taxed by Britain• Urged merchants, artisans, and farmers to

boycott goods from Britain• Non-importation Agreements—farmers

promised not to buy from Britain• March 1766 Parliament repeals the Stamp Act• Same day Parliament passes the Declaratory

Act —stated that Parliament had the right to tax and make decisions for the colonies

New Taxes• Parliament passes the Townshend Act in 1767• Tax on imported goods such as glass, tea,

paper, and lead• Again, colonist boycott• Women take active role—Daughters of Liberty

– Urged colonist to wear homemade fabrics

Writs of assistance enabled British customs officers to

searchA. ForeignersB. Foreign goodsC. People for contrabandD. Homes for smuggled goods

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The colonist paid lower taxes on molasses because of the

A. Sugar ActB. Stamp ActC. Proclamation of 1763D. Writ of assistance

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Which act ignored the colonial tradition of self-government?

A. Townshend ActB. Sugar ActC. Stamp ActD. Declaratory Act

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Good being imported to the colonist were taxed by the

A. Stamp ActB. Declaratory ActC. Sugar ActD. Townshend Acts

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Which act did the Daughters of Liberty protest?

A. Stamp ActB. Townshend Act C. Declaratory ActD. Sugar Act

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What do we call a refusal to buy a good

boycott

Who organized the Sons of Liberty?

A. John AdamsB. Abigail AdamsC. Samuel AdamsD. Adam Brown

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A formal expression of opinion

A. effigiesB. boycottC. resolutionD. revenue

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Incoming money

A. effigiesB. boycottC. resolutionD. revenue

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Rag figures

A. effigiesB. boycottC. resolutionD. revenue

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