Ch. 5, Sec. 1 Notes – Taxation without Representation

Britain halts American expansion Estimated population of over 500,000 Natives Britain stations 10,000 soldiers in colonies, on frontier Proclamation Line of 1763 prohibits colonists from moving west of Appalachians

Britain needs Cash After the French & Indian War, Britain had has huge debts 1764, George Grenville, British Finance Minister targets American smuggling Allows customs officers to receive general writs of assistance, legal documents that enabled officers to search the homes and warehouses for smuggled goods.

The Sugar Act 1764, Parliament passes the Sugar Act Lowered the tax on molasses imported by the American colonists British hoped this would reduce smuggling Also set up special courts to hear smuggling cases. Cases heard and decided by British appointed judges, not juries.

“Taxation without representation is tyranny”

The Stamp Act 1765, Parliament passes the Stamp Act Placed a tax on almost all printed materials – including newspapers, pamphlets, wills, playing cards American opposition focused on two points: Parliament interfered in colonial affairs by taxing them directly Taxed the colonists without their consent

American Response & Repeal Virginia House of Burgesses passes a resolution, or formal declaration of opinion, declaring it only had the right to lay taxes on citizens Colonists hang effigies, or rag figures, representing un-popular tax collectors In Boston, Samuel Adams helps to form the Sons of Liberty, which led protests in the streets, burned and ransacked houses Merchants boycott, or refuse to buy, British and European goods People refuse to use the stamps – thousands sign nonimportation agreements in which they pledged to not import goods from Britain British merchants beg Parliament to repeal, or cancel, the Act February 1766, Parliament repeals the Act

New Taxes Britain passes Declaratory Act of 1766 declaring Parliament has the right to tax and make decisions in the American colonies “in all cases whatsoever.” Charles Townshend, Britain’s new Finance Minister, passes Townshend Acts in 1767, taxing all imports (common items such as glass, tea, paper, lead) Specifically targets goods Americans do not make

British use tax revenue British used tax revenue from Acts to pay for new courts and the salaries of British governors Britain replaces colonial assemblies as source of wages for governors, reducing American control over British governors Americans continue to boycott goods taxed by the Townshend Act

Daughters of Liberty Women organized groups to boycott British goods, sometimes calling themselves the Daughters of Liberty Urged Americans to wear homemade fabrics, produce their own goods Encouraged people to be economically independent