American History Class Mr. Gritman Colonial Unrest

From Unity to Revolution Parliament had generally been preoccupied with affairs in Europe and let the colonies govern themselves. It was no longer willing to do so. A series of measures resulting from this policy change, while affecting the New England colonies most directly would continue to arouse opposition in the 'thirteen colonies' over the next thirteen years

The Acts – Part 1 Currency Act (1764) – Forbid making money Sugar Act (1764) – Tax on sugar used in the colonies Stamp Act 1765 – Tax on legal documents.

The Acts – Part 2 First Quartering Act (1765) – Forced colonial people to provide food and housing for British soldiers Declaratory Act (1766) – Stated that Great Britain could create whatever law they wanted Townshend Revenue Act (1767) – Meant to raise money for Great Britain.

The Acts – Part 3 Tea Act (1773) – A tax on the imported tea. Leads to the Boston Tea Party The Intolerable Acts, also called the Coercive or Punitive Acts (1774) – A series of laws that punished the 13 colonies for the Boston Tea Party (Last straw for most colonists) Prohibitory Act (1775) – Naval Blockade against all trade in the colonies.

Major Issues Taxation without Representation Self Determination Often the colonists were forced to pay taxes to the government in Great Britain but had no say in how those taxes were spent. They could not vote in any elections. Self Determination There was a growing feeling of individualism. Colonists felt like they could do it on their own, they didn’t need help from people across the ocean from them.

Events Leading to War Boston Massacre – (1770) Upset with taxation without representation, protestors went to a taxation station in Boston. British guards were threatened, and ended up calling in reinforcements. After the reinforcements arrived a volley of shots were fired into the crowd of protestors. 5 Colonists were killed.

Boston Massacre

Events Leading to War Boston Tea Party – (1773)Because of the Tea Act the tea aboard ships was to be taxed. Rather than shipping it to England and paying the tax, the people of Boston boarded the ship and threw it into the ocean. (Coercive Acts Followed)

The Boston Tea Party

Patriots John Adams – George Washington’s VP / 2nd President of the United States. Paul Revere – The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere George Washington – Military Leadership Benjamin Franklin – Political thought John Hancock – Largest Signature of Declaration Patrick Henry – “Give me liberty or give me death.”

Revolution on the horizon The stage was set for the “shot heard round the world”.

Lexington / Concord The British hear about a stockpile of weapons that the colonists are storing in Concord, Massachusetts. Paul Revere and other riders sent to warn colonists about British soldiers. Conflict on Lexington’s Green. Who fired the first shot?