“No taxation without representation”

Many of the new English laws revolved around taxes – payment due to the government This is because the English needed money to pay for the money spent in the French and Indian War The colonists protested these laws because they went against the principles of “no taxation without representation” This meant that since the colonists did not elect representatives to Parliament (British Government), Parliament had no right to tax them. They were willing to pay only if the taxes were passed by their legislatures.

Important Definitions Unrest – a state of agitation or change in development Petition – a formal written request to someone in authority, signed by a group of people Boycott – to refuse to buy certain goods and services Writs of Assistance – The British were allowed to inspect a ships cargo without giving a reason

Directions You will be split into groups examining some of the causes that led to the American Revolution. Read and examine each placard carefully. Discuss what happened in the event Record what happened, your unrest rating, and the colonial response (if there is one). Color in your unrest-o-meter. If you think the event contributed greatly to unrest, give it a higher number, if not – give it a lower number. You must have exactly 36 blocks filled in by the end of the activity. You may change your meter as you go. Then, your group will present your unrest-o-meter.