The Road to Revolution By Mr. Argall & Mr. Forbes

Didn’t we JUST finish talking about a war? Remember the problems that the French and Indian War created. How to repay the War debt? William Pitt had intended to spend now, pay later… The Proclamation of 1763 People wanted that land West of the Appalachain Mountains… Other problem laws… The Navigation Acts People did not like restrictions on their trade

The British started NEW Problems They brought in 10,000 soldiers to enforce the Proclamation of 1763 and any new laws… The colonists were frightened that the British would interfere with what they were used to Soldiers often acted rudely towards the colonists, making good relations difficult

The rule of George Grenville Grenville becomes the Prime Minister of England in 1763 (Pitt is gone) Decides to reduce Britain’s debt He wants to crack down on smuggling Starts Vice Admiralty Courts Courts run by British officers with NO JURY Defendants were considered guilty until proven innocent Allows Writs of Assistance Basically search warrants but without restrictions

Taxes, Taxes, Taxes The Sugar Act of 1764 Lowers the tax on Molasses BUT… also gave British officers the right to seize goods from smugglers without a trial. (This was abused, i.e. the Liberty Affair 1768)

The Stamp Act In 1765 Parliament passed a tax on all printed material This was a direct tax on the colonists, who used these materials everyday It was passed without consulting the colonial legislatures, thus ignoring the colonial tradition of self government.

Let the protests begin Patrick Henry gets Virginia to speak out against the law Samuel Adams starts the Sons of Liberty to stage rallies and protests Colonists began to raid and destroy British official’s houses Tax collectors were tarred and feathered

More official protests The Stamp Act Congress Nine states agreed to tell the King and Parliament that only the colonists could tax the colonies Boycotts are started. An agreement by a group to not buy from or sell to another group Non-importation agreements People agree to not buy goods brought in by a certain group or country

Results – Good, Bad, or Ugly… By March of 1766, the Stamp Act is repealed, or canceled Bad Parliament then passes the Declaratory Act, which stated that the Parliament had the power to make all laws for the colonies Ugly The Townshend Act of 1767 Taxed all imports (Colonists were a captive market) Protests begin all over again, but bigger (Daughters of Liberty)

The Boston Massacre March 5, 1770 A fight between the soldiers and citizens turned into a riot More soldiers are called, colonists throw things, then a soldier is knocked down and they open fire Five colonists are killed, including Crispus Attucks (Freed African American)

Both sides use this as propaganda Information designed to influence opinion. Colonists try to depict the British as horrible people Gets the British to repeal the Townshend acts except for tea Committees of Correspondence are started to share ideas and spread anti British feelings.

A crisis over tea The British try to save the Dutch East India Company by allowing them to sell tea in the colonies without paying the taxes This makes the colonial tea merchants mad New boycotts are started Dutch East India ships are not allowed to even unload

The Boston Tea Party 1773 – Three ships come to Boston Harbor. Thomas Hutchinson refuses to let them turn back Dec 16th, Sam Adams and the Sons of Liberty dress as Indians, sneak on board the ships, and destroy all 342 chests of tea

The Intolerable Acts In reaction to the Boston Tea Party, King George passed the Coercive Acts in 1774 Closed Boston Harbor No supplies, not even food could come in by boat Other colonies helped Boston by lending support and sending supplies by land Took away town meetings Permitted Royal officers to be tried in England for crimes instead of in Boston Required the Quartering of troops by Bostonians Quebec Act of 1774 Gave Quebec the land West of the Appalachain Mountains (remember this is what the French and Indian War was fought for!!!!)