England tightens control over the colonies

After the French and Indian War, Britain wanted to govern all its landholdings in North America equally King George III-king of England who’s strict laws and high taxes led to the American Revolution Parliament began to impose new laws and restrictions on colonists After the period of Salutary Neglect, many colonists felt their freedoms were being limited

Outlawed the colonists from settling west of the Appalachian Mountains Prevent further conflict with the Natives, After Pontiac’s Rebellion Colonists wanted to move into the fertile valley of the Ohio River Many felt they had earned the right by helping to win the war

Must enforce the Proclamation and needed troops in the colonies. Quartering Act (1765) – Required colonists to house British soldiers and provide them with supplies Reason for the 3 rd Amendment Most of the troops were stationed in New York with General Thomas Gage

England had a huge debt from the war, and the quartering act required even more money. Colonial assemblies had been responsible for creating taxes to support the colonial military Sugar Act (1764) – tax on sugar, molasses and other products shipped to colonies; included a harsh punishment for smuggling

Many colonial merchants had been trading smuggled goods and reacted angrily to the new enforcement Colonial leaders criticized the direct taxation by Parliament James Otis argued that Parliament had no right to tax the colonies because they had no direct representation in Parliament England argued that since colonists benefited from English laws they were subject to be taxed.

Required that all legal documents and paper have an official stamp showing a tax had been paid for them New type of tax – Direct Tax It was a tax directly on colonists Colonial leaders continued to question the legality of being taxed without representation

Met in New York City; first time colonies met to act together in protest Created petition to King protesting the act Declared right to tax the colonies rested with colonial legislatures Colonial merchants boycotted British goods

The protests had an effect on British Merchants. They were scared their trade with the colonies would be hurt Parliament repealed the Stamp Act in 1766 Declaratory Act (1766) – Parliament declared it had supreme power over the colonies Could make any law they wanted to now.

After repealing the Stamp Act, Parliament had to raise revenue (money) Finance Minister Charles Townshend proposes multi-part plan Townshend Acts- Suspended the legislative assemblies in the colonies Placed duties (taxes) on imported goods Goods brought IN to the country Townshend believed that these taxes on goods would anger the colonists less than a direct tax like the Stamp Act

Writs of assistance were used to search homes and businesses for smuggled goods British soldiers were sent to colonial cities to enforce British law & protect customs officials Standing armies in the colonies became the norm Samuel Adams’ Sons of Liberty urged colonists to resist British goods Protests were assembled to emphasize displeasure in the colonies

A group of colonists who formed a secret society to fight against British laws Protests Boycotts Riots Colonists formed secret societies to oppose British policies Many groups staged protests against the taxes; some were violent with fires set and tax collectors tarred and feathered Journal 1.

One of the leaders of the Sons of Liberty Cousin of John Adams Planner of the Boston Tea Party

A protest that turned into a riot outside customs house on Kings St. in Boston 5 people died after shots were fired by the Redcoats Including Crispus Attucks Colonists use the event as propaganda to gain support from other colonies against the British Soldiers did receive a fair trial and were acquitted John Adams- lawyer for the soldiers Crispus Attucks Journal 2.

Tea was popular but was smuggled Tea Act (1773)-a tax on tea, the colonist were forced to buy all their tea from a British company at a higher cost. 3. Boston Tea Party Colonists disguised themselves as Native Americans and dumped 342 chests of tea in Boston Harbor The colonists intent was to destroy British property in an effort to show Britain how strongly they opposed taxation without representation Journal 3.

British government sought to punish the colonists for Boston Tea Party British called the Coercive Acts Colonists call them Intolerable Acts Laws not received well in colonies Closed Boston Harbor until the colonists paid for the tea Banned committees of correspondence Allowed Brits to house troops wherever needed British officials accused of crimes in the colonies would stand trial in Britain Was used as a way to punish the colonists for their rebellious behavior Parliament appointed a military General as Governor of Mass. to enforce the acts

1. Boycott-a refusal to buy goods 2. Sons of Liberty formed-led by Samuel Adams 3. Committees of Correspondence- a way for the colonists to get info * groups of colonists who exchanged letters on colonial affairs. 4. Tar and Feather 5. Boston Tea Party 6. Boston Massacre (Propaganda) 7. The First Continental Congress

All colonies except Georgia meet as the 1 st Continental Congress Debate & reject a plan to compromise & reconcile with Great Britain 12 of the 13 colonies attended, showing that the colonies were ready to stand as a united front against England Decisions the 1 st C.C.: 1. Ban all trade w/ Britain 2. Begin training troops 3. Meet again in 7 months “The distinctions between Virginians, Pennsylvanians, New Yorkers, & New Englanders are no more…I am not a Virginian, but an American.” Journal 4.

“Gentlemen may cry peace, peace—but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why should we idle here?....I know not what course others may take. But as for me, give me liberty or give me death.” -Patrick Henry, March 1775