Trouble over Colonists’ Rights 6.3

Raising Taxes New Taxes Britain had to pay for the cost of the French and Indian War and for protecting colonists from American Indian attacks. British prime minister George Grenville asked Parliament for new taxes. In 1764 Parliament approved the Sugar Act, which set duties on molasses and sugar. Was first act passed to raise money rather than regulate colonial trade.

Raising Taxes Additional Rules Colonies were not allowed to print their own money. Smugglers were to be tried by vice-admiralty courts, which had no juries and presumed guilt rather than innocence.

Taxation without Representation Colonial Reactions Many colonists were angry over Parliament’s new taxes and policies. James Otis, lawyer from Boston, one of the first critics Claimed Parliament could not tax colonists because colonists have no representatives in Parliament

Taxation without Representation Colonists Organize Samuel Adams of Boston agreed with James Otis. Helped to organize Committees of Correspondence, groups that contacted other towns and colonies. Colonists protested by holding a boycott- a refusal to buy certain goods- of British products.

The Stamp Act Another Tax In 1765 Parliament passed the Stamp Act. Required colonists to buy an official stamp whenever they bought paper items. First effort by Parliament to tax the colonists directly.

The Stamp Act Colonial Protests The Sons of Liberty sometimes used violence to threaten tax collectors. Some merchants ignored the law, and many people refused to buy the stamps. Patrick Henry introduced resolutions to the Virginia House of Burgesses declaring that the Stamp Act violated colonists’ rights.

Repealing Stamp Act Stamp Act Congress Delegates from nine colonies met in New York. Called upon Parliament to repeal, or end, the Stamp Act

Repealing Stamp Act Parliament’s Decision British merchants, hurt by a boycott, urged repeal. Parliament repealed the Stamp Act but issued the Declaratory Act.