Colonial Resistance and Rebellion 2.1 Notes

Proclamation of 1763 Issued by British gov’t Forbade colonies from expanding west beyond the Appalchian Mtns. Meant to avoid conflicts with Indians Ignored by colonists Convinced that Britain didn’t care about colonist’s needs

Britain’s Financial Debt French and Indian war debt King George III commissioned Prime Minister George Grenville to lower debt Sugar Act Halved duty on foreign-made molasses (to prevent smuggling) Placed duties on certain imports Colonists accused of violating the act would face a single judge, not a jury

Merchants complained about reduced profits Taxed without representation in Britain

Stamp Act Colonial assemblies resisted b/c Tax on documents and printed items (wills, newspapers, playing cards) First tax directly affecting colonists Taxed goods and services Colonial assemblies resisted b/c no representation at tax decisions Sons of Liberty (Samuel Adams) Secret resistance group of shopkeepers, laborers Resisted taxation Boycotted British goods – Act repealed

Declaratory Act Passed on day Stamp Act repealed “to bind the colonies and people of America in all cases whatsoever” Townshend Acts Taxed goods imported into colonies from Britain Lead, glass, paint, paper, tea (most popular drink) Sons of Liberty organized boycott

Tensions Mounted Boston, MA – center of rebellion Boston Massacre – March 5, 1770 British soldiers taunted at Boston Customs House 5 colonists killed when fired upon British patrol schooner attacked and burned King George sought English trials for suspects – alarmed colonists

Boston Tea Party 1773 Tea Act of save British East India Company Could sell tea to colonies tax free Colonial tea sellers still taxed Could sell tea directly to consumers for less - backfired Boston rebels disguised as “Indians” dumped 18,000 pounds of tea into harbor

Intolerable Acts Law shut down Boston Harbor Quartering Act – British soldiers housed in vacant private homes and buildings General Thomas Gage (commander of British forces) named governor of MA Boston placed under martial law First Continental Congress assembled in Philadelphia, PA to draw up declaration of colonial rights Colonies should fight back if forced by British

FIRST CONTINENTAL CONGRESS – PHILADELPHIA, PA 1774