The Story of the American Revolution Learning Target #7: I can evaluate whether or not the American Revolution was avoidable. CASS 10.2

Taxation British Government was having financial problems due to conflicts with France. British Government decided to tax the colonists to make more money. 1764 Sugar Act 1765 Stamp Act First time that the colonists were taxed directly by the British. Colonists were upset. They had no “say” in the new taxes. “Taxation without representation”

Colonists Push Back Stamp Act 1756 Stamp Act Congress Stamps were the only way of communication Huge Impact Stamp Act Congress Met to discuss how to solve the issue of the Stamp Act Created a declaration of grievances Complained about the unfair taxation without representation “Sons of Liberty” put pressure on British merchants Refused to pay taxes Boycotted British goods Stamp Act was repealed (gotten rid of)

Relationship After the Stamp Act of 1765, the Colonists and the British Government became untrustworthy of one another. Each side was suspicious of the other. Colonists resented the British for taxing them without allowing them to have a say British resented the colonists for fighting back and boycotting British goods.

Townshend Acts 1767 Series of taxes put on the Colonists by the British Government Taxed tea, paper, paint, lead, glass British collectors were stationed in the colonies Specifically, stationed in major cities, such as Boston Colonists rioted in Boston British Government sent in the military to put down the riots British troops remained in Boston for over a year

Boston Massacre 1770: Colonists in Boston were growing tired of the British military being stationed in their city Colonists gathered in the city square where the British Military was stationed to voice their opinions Colonists began throwing sticks and rocks at the British troops Majority of the troops did not respond, did not fire their weapons A few soldiers got annoyed and began to fire on the colonists Killed 5 colonists The soldiers were put on trial and were found Not Guilty of any crime

Tea Tea Act of 1773 Yet another tax on goods that the colonists used daily Taxed the colonists without their consent Colonists were outraged, and gathered to plan a response. Boston Tea Party Colonists dressed as Native Americans destroyed 9,000 pounds worth of tea belonging to the British East India Company Colonists threw the tea into Boston Harbor Negatively affected the British Economy, lost thousands of pounds (British currency) Coercive Acts British response to the Boston Tea Party All ports were closed until the colonists were able to pay back the money lost by the British Government

Enough is Enough Colonists had no intentions of paying back the British Government Began working on plans to rebel against Great Britain and declare their independence July 4, 1776: Declaration of Independence was signed Authored by Thomas Jefferson Ideas borrowed from Locke, Rousseau, and other enlightenment thinkers “Life, Liberty, Pursuit of Happiness” Rejection of the English Monarchy