The Act of Revolution Acts that changed our course

Were Americans who believed that colonies had the right to govern themselves. Had groups who were ready for competition (war) with Britain. – Sons of Liberty – Militia (some called Minuteman) Were prepared with muskets to meet British troops at Lexington and Concord Were willing to not only fight for their freedom, but die for it.

The STAMP Act Set up as a way to pay off Britain’s large debt from the French and Indian War. Required colonists to buy a stamp for every piece of paper they owned. – Marriage license, wills, playing cards, and even newspapers were printed on stamp paper The colonists believed this was tyranny Colonists were will to pay taxes passed by their own assembly, but believe they didn’t owe money to Britain. – Colonists had no representation in Parliament where this act was passed.

“No Taxation without representation” Loyalist refused to buy stamps. The Patriots decided they would take more violent action. – The Sons of Liberty would attack the homes of tax collectors. After months of protest, Parliament repealed the Stamp Act – However, the real struggle was just beginning

The QUARTERING Act Ordered colonial assemblies to provide British troops with quarters. – Also provided: fire, bedding, cooking utensils, salt, vinegar, and alcohol or cider. Providing for these soldiers cost colonists money. The troops just took up space and did nothing. The assembly decided they wouldn’t pay, however, Parliament decided to close down the colonial assembly until they did pay.

Tempers began to FLARE… The Townshend Acts were enacted by Charles Townshend, a British leader. He believed that colonists should have to pay for the armies in the colonies because of their rebel behavior This act placed a “duty,” or tax, on imported goods from Britain (glass, paint, paper, tea) This prompted a boycott led by Sam Adams

A massacre ensues… Parliament repealed the Townshend Acts On the same day, a fatal brawl broke out between British Redcoats and Bostonians. Crispus Attucks and 4 other colonials were killed in the “massacre” Samuel Adams had Paul Revere engrave a picture of the event – He wanted to “enrage” colonists, but that didn’t happen

Paul Revere’s Engraving John Pufford’s Illustration

The TEA Act The Tea Act gave the British a “monopoly” over tea sales in the colonies. Lord North thought that he could sell the tea cheap and trick the colonists. The colonists saw this as another “taxation without representation.” This Act had Boston merchants worried and nervous

A Tea Party When British ships arrived with tea the Bostonian governor closed the harbor, blocking the British Navy in. The Sons of Liberty, supported by Samuel Adams, decided to unload all of the tea from the ships. Near 50 men dressed as Mohawk Indians dumped 90,000 pounds of tea into the harbor.

Samuel Adams Of the Boston Tea Party, Adams said “This destruction of tea is so bold, so daring, so firm… it must have… important consequences.” – Little did he know, he would soon be right. The raging battle for American independence began at Lexington in April 1775, and then Concord the very next day.