Britain Taxes the Colonies Following the French and Indian War

After the French and Indian War... Britain faced a national debt, so the British government (Parliament) passed a series of new taxes on the colonists. However, these taxes were passed by Parliament without first consulting the colonists. British leaders thought this was only right because the colonists were not paying their fair share towards their own defense. Since the colonists lived so far away from London, it seemed impossible for them to participate effectively in the British Parliament.

The Sugar Act The British government passed the Sugar Act in 1764. The act reduced the tax on imported sugar, but enforced it more strictly. Samuel Adams organized protests against the Sugar Act. The act was repealed in 1766. 1764

The Stamp Act Parliament ordered that every public or legal document had to be printed on paper with an official stamp on it. This was a form of tax- the British government was paid for the official stamp. Colonists protested and boycotted British goods. A “Stamp Act Congress” against the act was held in New York City. Produced petitions arguing that the colonists could only be taxed by their own consent. Stamp Act was repealed in 1766. 1765

The Quartering Act 1765 Forced colonists to house British soldiers and provide them with food, drink, and other supplies. Colonist support for British soldiers turned to resentment. The act expired in 1767

Townshend Acts Placed duties (special taxes) on goods used in the colonies, including glass and lead. Allowed British soldiers to search colonists’ property to look for smuggled goods. Colonists protested, held rallies, and organized into groups like the Sons of Liberty. Acts are repealed in 1770 1767

The Issue of Taxation... Wealthy colonial merchants and landowners were used to acting in their own colonial assemblies with little British interference (salutary neglect), so they resented the new policies. Colonial leaders were also influenced by John Locke, who wrote that government was a “social contract”, and the purpose of government was to protect individual freedom and property; if a government failed to do this, he argued that its citizens had the right to overthrow it. Following both Locke and English traditions of representative government, Samuel Adams and other colonists argued that the British government should not tax the colonists without their consent. These colonists believed that “taxation without representation” was tyranny. There were many forms of protest, but most colonists, including most members of the Sons of Liberty, remained loyal to King George. They believed that the British Parliament would eventually repeal the new taxes.

What action does George Washington suggest be avoided if possible? Excerpt from a letter written in 1769 by George Washington to a fellow Virginian… “At a time, when our masters in Great Britain will be satisfied with nothing less than the [denial] of American Freedom, it seems highly necessary that something should be done to avert [avoid] the strike, and maintain the liberty, which we derived from our ancestors. But the manner of doing it is the point in question. That no man should hesitate to use arms in defense of so valuable a blessing, on which life depends, is clearly my opinion. Yet arms should be the last resort. Addresses to the throne, and [petitions] to Parliament, we have already proved their inefficacy. How far their attention to our rights and privileges is to be awakened, by starving their trade and manufacturers, remains to be tried.” What action does George Washington suggest be avoided if possible? What action does he suggest the American colonists should try next?