Road to Revolution “ No Taxation without Representation” - James Otis

British Taxation Policies Sugar Act 1764 – small tax on sugar, mild protest Stamp Act 1765- tax on all legal documents, led to the Stamp Act Congress, boycotts organized and act repealed

Mercantilism How would the Sugar Act be a Mercantilist practice for the British? How might the Colonist’s be angry about this practice?

Stamp Act Congress : Representatives from the Colonies met to discuss the taxes created by the British Parliament and ask to British to repeal acts. A new rallying slogan was created…… “ No Taxation without Representation” - James Otis

Quartering Act 1765 – required colonist to house British soldiers provide them with supplies

Writs of Assistance 1767- British could search ships and houses at will Townshend Acts 1767- Taxes placed on various household items, boycotts led to repeal Each new Act led to more and more discontent, hostility and anger

Sons of Liberty Organization created to oppose British policies Used protests, boycotts and violence

Samuel Adams was the leader of the Boston Sons of Liberty Samuel Adams was the leader of the Boston Sons of Liberty.. “We will destroy every soldier that dares put his foot on our shore” One British official said “Every dip of his pen stings” Others leaders of the Sons of Liberty were Paul Revere, John Hancock and Patrick Henry

The Sons of Liberty would rally under a large tree which became known as "The Liberty Tree".

Boston Massacre On March 5, 1770…..A rioting mob confronted British soldiers at the Boston Customs House 5 Colonists were killed, among them was African American Crispus Attucks Paul Revere made a famous engraving that portrayed the event as a Massacre….Sam Adams used the incident to spread Anti-British propaganda

Lawyer John Adams defended the British soldiers in court Lawyer John Adams defended the British soldiers in court. Adams argued the soldiers acted in self-defense. Criticized for taking the case, Adams replied “that law should be deaf to the clamors of the populace” The soldiers were acquitted and sent home

Committees of Correspondence. Samuel Adams helped create the Committees of Correspondence. They exchanged letters about colonial problems and spread news about the British laws

Mercy Otis Warren also participated in the Committee of Correspondence Mercy Otis Warren also participated in the Committee of Correspondence. She writes a series of pamphlets and satires against the British from her personal notes and correspondences

Boston Tea Party Tea merchants in the colonies were cut out of the tea trade because the British East India Company was given total economic control (monopoly) over the American tea trade with the Tea Act 1773. British East India Company

On December 16, 1773, the Sons of Liberty dumped 90,000 pounds of tea into Boston Harbor. Britain would make the people of Boston pay for what they had done

First Continental Congress Intolerable Acts 1774 Britain passed the Acts to punish the colonist for supporting the Tea party Closed the port of Boston (economic) Shut down the Massachusetts Assembly (political) First Continental Congress 12 colonies sent delegates to try to find peaceful solution Voted to ban trade with Britain But called on each colony to start training troops

Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death! Patrick Henry’s speech inspired many to join the Revolution!!!