6.3 Trouble over Colonist’s Rights

Raising taxes on the Colonists British had to pay for the war Raised taxes to finance the Army Prime Minister George Grenville proposed “Sugar Act” taxed molasses and sugar

Colonists Could not Print their own money

Taxation without Representation Colonists being taxed without their consent “No Taxation without Representation” Sam Adams Founded committees of correspondence Boycotted British goods

Stamp Act Legal documents Licenses Newspapers Playing cards

Sons of Liberty Threatened tax collectors Secret organizations formed to protest Stamp Act Threatened tax collectors Repealed one year after it was passed – Sons of Liberty disbanded

Colonists Reactions Boycotted British goods Wanted to repeal the Stamp Act

Declaratory Act Parliament still had power to make laws for the colonies Passed on the same day that Stamp Act was repealed

“By one Act they have suspended the powers of one American legislature, & by another have declared they may legislate for us themselves in all cases whatsoever. These two acts alone form a basis broad enough whereon to erect a despotism of unlimited extent.” —Thomas Jefferson on the Declaratory Act

Proclamation of 1763 Purpose: Drew a line along western Appalachian Mountains Colonists were forbidden to settle west of the line to avoid Indian conflicts 10,000 troops sent to enforce

Proclamation of 1763 Effect: Settlers couldn’t gain new lands Colonists had to pay for extra troops from England

Sugar Act of 1764 Purpose: Place tax on sugar and molasses Stop colonial smuggling and bribery

Sugar Act of 1764 Effect: Colonists continue to smuggle Led to the passing of the Stamp Act

Stamp Act of 1765 Purpose: Place tax on documents More money for British debt

Stamp Act of 1765 Effect: Angered colonists Attacked tax collectors Boycott British goods Sent petition to the King to protest

Declaratory Act Purpose: Re-state England’s power over the colonists

Declaratory Act Effect: Colonists paid little attention to this statement