The Birth of a Democratic Nation Chapter 2, Section 2 Pgs. 33-38

Key Terms Mercantilism – the theory that a country should sell more goods to other countries than it buys. Boycott – refuse to buy Repeal – to cancel Delegate – a representative Independence – self-reliance and freedom from outside control

Taxes Britain was heavily in debt after the French and Indian War. To pay these debts, it placed high taxes on the American colonies. Stamp Act – attach tax stamps on such things as newspapers and legal documents. Colonists boycotted British goods so Britain repealed the taxes, but then… Townshend Acts – these laws placed taxes on items that the colonies imported such as tea, paper, and lead.

Effects The laws angered the colonists, and they brought back the boycott. They began resenting the British for taxing them without their having any say about it. NO TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION!

Tea act Great Britain began allowing the British East India Company the right to ship tea to the colonies tax free and sell straight to shopkeepers. This made the East India Company tea cheaper than any other tea. Colonists fought back by blocking East India Company ships from entering the ports except Boston and then colonists dressed as Native Americans dumped 300 chests of tea into the harbor.

Britain’s Response The British Parliament responded by passing the Coercive Acts, which the colonists called the INTOLERABLE Acts. The laws limited the colonists’ right to trial by jury and allowed British soldiers to search and move into colonists’ homes. To fight these acts the colonial governments came together and sent delegates to Philadelphia to talk about their concerns…The FIRST Continental Congress.

Thomas Paine His Common Sense pamphlet inspired the colonists to seek their independence from Great Britain. Paine argued it was “common sense” to stop following the “royal brute,” King George III.

Coercive Acts Britain felt they were necessary because they realized they were losing control over their colonies. They felt by tightening the reigns they could gain back control. It worked against them though and drove the colonists closer to seeking indepence

Declaration of Independence All men are created equal with the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Purpose of government is to protect rights of people Government based on consent of governed People entitled to overthrow government that disregards their rights

Assignment Read the Declaration of Natural Rights in the Declaration of Independence (second, third, and fourth paragraphs on pg. 44). Select what you think is the single most important idea and explain how that idea affects your life today.