The Road to Revolution: (1770-1776)

Was the American Revolution Inevitable??

Tar and Feathering

The Stamp Act Colonies Reacted Britain Responded Samuel Adams & “Sons of Liberty” Harassing stamp agents Stamp Act Congress No importation Repealed Stamp Act… …but… Issued Declaratory Act in its place. Required colonists to purchase special stamped paper for every legal document. Taxed playing cards and dice.

The Townshend Acts Indirect taxes (duties) on imported materials Colonies Reacted Britain Responded Rage Stopped buying British luxuries Seized ships of local merchants. Placed British soldiers in Boston. Indirect taxes (duties) on imported materials 3 penny tax on tea

The Boston Massacre (March 5,1770)

Tea Act British East India Co.: Monopoly on British tea imports. Many members of Parliament held shares. Permitted the Company to sell tea directly to colonies w/o middlemen (cheaper tea!) Lord North expected the colonies to eagerly choose the cheaper tea. Colonists React…

Boston Tea Party (1775) British respond…

The Intolerable Acts (1774) 1. Port Bill- closed Boston Harbor 2. New Quartering Act 3. Martial Law Lord North

Committees of Correspondence Purpose  warn neighboring colonies about incidents with Br.  broaden the resistance movement.

First Continental Congress (1774) 55 delegates from 12 colonies Agenda  How to respond to the new acts placed on colonies. 1 vote per colony represented.

Olive Branch Petition (1775)

Thomas Paine: Common Sense 15-page pamphlet that clearly explained all the reasons the colonies should become independent of the British king. This pamphlet was distributed everywhere in the colonies and was discussed in all colonial governments.

The British Are Coming . . . Paul Revere & William Dawes make their midnight ride to warn the Minutemen of approaching British soldiers.

The Shot Heard ’Round the World! Lexington & Concord – April 18,1775

Declaration of Independence (1776)

Independence Hall

New National Symbols