Radicalization of the Colonies Action & Reaction

The New Approach Parliament implements the Townshend Acts (1767) Indirect tax on items only legally imported from England (glass, lead, tea, paper, paint) Indirect tax paid by the importer Tax would pay governors and judges to enforce laws in the colonies

Another Founder You Haven’t Heard Of Before Colonies renew boycotts John Dickenson writes Letters from a Pennsylvania Farmer in response to the Townsend Acts Said colonies were sovereign in internal affairs Parliament could regulate trade/make war/etc.

“Always Massachusetts & Boston disturbing the King’s Peace” Massachusetts General Court sends the Circular Letter (1768) to all other colonies Calls for unified action against Townsend Acts Written by Otis & Sam Adams England considers this treason Suspends the General Court Places Boston under martial law

British Reaction Boston put under martial law Gen. Thomas Gage British troops clash with Sons of Liberty Coercive force sent to oppress Competed with for jobs Massachusetts forms Committees of Correspondence to spread news & ideas

The First Blood is spilled Troubles culminate in Boston Massacre March 5, 1770 Troops fire on an angry mob 5 killed including former slave Crispus Attucks Demands for action by Sam Adams John Adams served as defense attorney Tension drops after troops found not guilty of murder

From Protest to Independence 1773 Parliament passes the Tea Act Lowers tax and gives the British East India Company a monopoly on selling tea in the colonies To keep the company from bankruptcy Colonists see as a plot to establish a precedent of accepting taxes Sons of Liberty destroy load of tea in Boston Tea Party (12-10-1773)

The Last Straw for the British Furious Parliament passes the Coercive or Intolerable Acts (1774) Closed Boston Harbor Quartering Act Town meetings outlawed Gage made military gov. Quebec Act gave land in the Ohio Valley to Quebec

Colonial Response to the Intolerable Acts Many Colonists begin to favor independence Washington John Adams Ben Franklin Colonists hold First Continental Congress (1774) in Philadelphia in response to the Intolerable Acts

The First Continental Congress Issue statement of rights Pledged loyalty to King Asked for redress of complaints Called for boycotts Called for a second congress in 1775 if not satisfied