Following the French and Indian War… New British lands and the colonists desire to expand led to… New British lands and the colonists desire to expand led to… Bad relationship with Indians which led to… Bad relationship with Indians which led to… Standing British military in colonies… Standing British military in colonies…
What do you need for war? Let’s take a step back…
What are the costs of war?
When it comes down to it…
Debt already accrued (GB Debt + results of the F&I War) $40 million in 1774 = $1,120,000, (2011) $ 1,120,000, ≈ £717.7 million Growing Debt Payment for the standing British military presence So instead of making money off the colonies, Great Britain now has an increasing debt! War Costs Money
Where was the money going to come from?
*see tax worksheet
1. Raise money – every time a person buys a good, the government then receives some money from the tax (ex. sales tax) 2. Protect domestic business (protective tariffs) – a tax/tariff on an imported good makes the price of it higher than goods made within the borders; people more likely to buy the lower priced item (domestic good) 3. Prove a point – that a government has the right/authority to impose taxes on its citizens Why Tax?
Who was going to pay these taxes? British King? British citizens? Was it their war? Colonists? Subjects of the Crown not English citizens TAXES
Taxes/Tariffs Indirect Tax King asked the Colonial Assembly (colonists elected to a law making group) to pass taxes Direct Tax Parliament (Great Britain) voted to tax colonists directly Colonists could not refuse the tax Colonists could not vote or have representation in Parliament
Road to the Revolution
Road to the Revolution : Sugar Act Details 1764 Indirect tax on imported sugar, molasses, some wines (from West Indies) – tax money went to GB Customers paid higher prices due to tax Repealed by King Colonists’ Response Unpopular in the colonies Samuel Adams and James Otis two prime movers against the Act Created the Committee of Correspondence to improve communication among the colonies (S. Adams) "it is expedient that new provisions and regulations should be established for improving the revenue of this Kingdom... and... it is just and necessary that a revenue should be raised... for defraying the expenses of defending, protecting, and securing the same."
Road to the Revolution : Stamp Act Details 1765 Tax on all paper items (licenses, newspapers, contracts, legal documents, etc.) First attempt at direct taxation (raising money by directly taxing colonists) Repealed; as an attempt to restore order Colonists’ Response Unpopular in the colonies Sons of Liberty; secret society created (S. Adams) Boycotts and protests (hurting London merchants; cried over lost business) Patrick Henry – VA House of Burgess (series of resolutions) James Otis – “ taxation without representation is tyranny."
Without the official seal, documents were considered illegal Could only obtain the seal by paying the tax Contracts Playing cards Newspapers Pamphlets
Road to the Revolution : Declaratory Act Details 1766 Parliament had the power to make laws for the colonies “in all cases whatsoever” (raise money, protect domestic business, etc.) Colonists’ Response Worried colonists…what would come next? Strips away colonial independence – reality check of who is boss
Road to the Revolution : Townshend Act Details 1767 Tax on glass, lead, paint, paper and tea Unwarranted searches for smuggled goods (illegal search and seizure) Repealed Colonists’ Response Unpopular in the colonies Resentment towards British soldiers/rule Boston Massacre (Paul Revere) The Fourth Amendment (Amendment IV) to the United States Constitution is the part of the Bill of Rights which guards against unreasonable searches and seizures, along with requiring any warrant to be judicially sanctioned and supported by probable cause.
The Fourth Amendment ( Amendment IV ) to the United States Constitution is the part of the Bill of Rights which guards against unreasonable searches and seizures, along with requiring any warrant to be judicially sanctioned and supported by probable cause.
British troops in colonial towns…Boston To enforce the Townshend Act Tax collection and search for smuggled goods March 5, 1770 British soldier engaged in a shouting/shoving match with a colonist Crowds drew near Order!
Raised voices and a dare (“Come on you rascals…Fire if you dare!”) created more commotion and shots were fired (by soldiers) killing five Townshend Acts repealed (except tax on tea) Order!
Road to the Revolution : Tea Act Details 1773 British East India company allowed exclusive rights to sell tea directly to the colonists Directly selling to colonists would mean cheaper tea, less smuggling and more tax revenue Colonists’ Response Unpopular in the colonies High cost and no choice in tea Continued to boycott goods, and smuggle tea Boston Tea Party
Three ships arrive in Boston Harbor Sons of Liberty: ships must leave Governor: must pay tax for shipment December 16, 1773 Colonists disguised as Indians Dump 340 chests of tea Boston harbor is a teapot tonight!
Road to the Revolution : Coercive Act Details 1774 Punishment for the Boston Tea Party Colonists’ Response ““Intolerable” Acts FFirst Continental Congress BBan trade with GB FFormation and preparation of militias
Spring 1774 In response to the Boston Tea Party and to punish colonists… Boston Harbor was closed Massachusetts’ charter was canceled (no colonial assembly) Royal officials accused of crimes were tried in GB Quartering Act – requiring colonists to house British soldiers Quebec Act – gave land to Quebec Appointed governor (General Thomas Gage) Coercive Acts (aka Intolerable Acts)
Colonial Reaction
Colonists Speak Out James Otis Power of the Crown and Parliament was limited “they can not take from any man any part of his property, without his consent in person or by representation” *absolute power
James Otis (taxation without representation is tyranny) Samuel Adams (no taxation without representation) Sons of Liberty “I look upon (British soldiers) as foreign enemies” Patrick Henry (Stamp Act) Daughters of Liberty (Townsend Act) Paul Revere (Boston Massacre) “The Bloody Massacre perpetrated in King Street” Who is speaking out?