Marching toward Revolution The French and Indian War (known as the Seven Years War in Europe) had been costly for Great Britain England's debt was greatly enlarged by the war. England set plans in motion to gain more control over the American colonists After the war, the Prime Minister, George Grenville, decided that colonists should share the tax burden.

New Taxes for America George Grenville and Parliament quickly passed new tax laws after These laws led colonists to boycott British goods, which in turn, made them smuggle in “forbidden” goods The Writs of Assistance were legalized documents, by Parliament, which gave officials the right to search colonists’ businesses, ships and homes for smuggled goods

THE STAMP ACT Passed on March 22, 1765 This act would grant and apply stamp duties both in the British colonies and plantation of America. This Act required that the colonists had to purchase printed documents such as: Deeds Legal Documents Marriage License (Licenses in general) Newspapers Bills Almanacs Pamphlets Dice and Playing Cards

These items would be issued on specially stamped paper that had to be purchased from stamp distributors. The colonist were outraged by the imposition of this tax. They would threaten or attack the court appointed stamp commissioners (collectors). Many were also threatened to be tarred and feathered, but none of the collectors were ever harmed in this way. By November 1, 1765, the day the Stamp Act was to go into effect, there were no stamp commissioners left in the colonies. March 18, 1766, the Stamp Act is repealed.

Leaders, such as Virginia man Patrick Henry, defended colonial rights and met at the Continental Congress. He also motivated colonists with anti-British speeches. A group known as the Sons of Liberty was formed to protest British policies. The Daughters of Liberty served coffee and “liberty tea,” brewed from raspberry leaves. In addition, riots broke out in New York, Newport and Charleston

In 1766, Parliament passed the Declaratory Act to remind the colonies they were still subjects of King George III. This was at the same time (year) that the Stamp Act was repealed. They claimed “full power and authority to make laws to bind the colonies and people of America … in all cases whatsoever.” Colonists maintained there could be “no taxation without representation.”

In 1767, Parliament passed a new series of taxes on a variety of essential goods. The Townshend Acts placed small taxes on tea, lead, glass, paper, and paint. These taxes only applied to imported goods. The purpose of this was to raise money for salaries of judges and governors in the area (to remain loyal to the King). It was met with great resistance! Parliament began issuing more and more writs of assistance, which gave officials the right to search colonists’ businesses, ships and homes for smuggled goods

Colonists began to taunt the soldiers sent to enforce these unpopular laws. On March 5, 1770, in Boston, a crowd threw snowballs at British soldiers. The soldiers opened fire and killed five Americans in what became known as the Boston Massacre. Soon after, Bostonian Samuel Adams revived an organization named the Committee of Correspondence to circulate grievance writings against the British

Paul Revere even created an engraving of the “Bloody Massacre” in an early example of propaganda. He showed Captain Thomas Preston raising his sword and ordering his men to fire on a peaceful crowd. He set the scene in front of a building known as “Butcher’s Hall.” Revere also claimed that there were seven dead

After continued abuse of British officials, Parliament repealed the Townshend Acts. The Tea Act of 1773 gave the British East India Company a monopoly. In an effort to boycott the Tea Act, the colonists dressed up as Mohawk Natives and began the Boston Tea Party EdTed: behind-the-boston-tea-party-ben-labaree

The Brits responded with the Coercive Acts. One law closed the port of Boston. Town meetings were outlawed in Massachusetts. A new Quartering Act was passed. Finally, British officials charged with crimes in America could be tried in England

General Thomas Gage, commander-in-chief of British forces in America, was named governor of Massachusetts. More troops were sent to America to maintain order. Colonists called these laws the Intolerable Acts. Other colonies sent supplies to the people of Boston. South Carolina sent rice. Virginia sent corn. Pennsylvania sent flour.

Colonists from twelve colonies met in Philadelphia in September The First Continental Congress – led by delegates from Virginia and Massachusetts – decided to boycott British goods. They also decided to stop exporting goods to Great Britain. Colonies were urged to set up and train a militia, or citizen army. They agreed to meet again in May

Taxation without Representation! Boycott-To refuse to buy certain goods or services. This worked for colonists on imports, as the Stamp Act was repealed. Repeal- To cancel. Example: The Stamp Act was repealed and most of the Townshend Act was repealed. Quartering Act- British act which made colonists open housing, bedding, food, and other personal supplies to British soldiers stationed in the colonies (specifically the port cities).