The Call for Independence EQ: Why were the colonists unhappy with Great Britain?
Cast of Characters Tories or Loyalists- those loyal to the King Patriots or Whigs- those ready to cut ties Quakers, Mennonites, Moravians- objected war
Characters Cont’d Redcoats and Lobsterbacks- British soldiers Council of Safety- set up by Patriots in GA Fence Sitters- not committed to either group
Discontentment in the Colonies Navigation Acts Sugar Act-tax on sugar and molasses Stamp Act-1765-tax on newspapers, legal documents, and licenses Townshend Acts-1767-import taxes on tea, paper, glass, and coloring for paint Enforcement of old laws
Georgians React Talked openly about dislike of new laws Spoke out against Townshend Acts Elected Wimberly Jones as speaker of the assembly Governor Wright tried to do away with the assembly
Protests Increase “No taxation without representation” Stopped painting homes Stopped drinking tea—coffee instead March 1770-Boston Massacre Tea Act of 1773 December 1773-Boston Tea Party
The Intolerable Acts- enacted to punish the Patriots 1. British closed the Boston port 2. No town meetings without governor approval 3. Court system changed 4. Quartering Act-house and feed soldiers at own expense
Continental Congress-1774 All colonies except GA gathered in Philadelphia Two major groups: -those who wished to pull away from Britain -those who wanted to make changes but stay with Britain Agreed to stop all trade with Britain and set up committees of safety