TAXING THE COLONIES! Student Simulation

Classroom Historical Experience Reality Memorandum announced that students had to pay for photocopies Shortfalls in state revenue forced schools to seek alternative funding Crown appointed officials to collect taxes and enforce trade laws Each student was required to pay 10 cents per page Colonists were required to trade only with Britain and pay taxes on certain goods French and Indian War left Britain with an enormous debt The Sugar Act was an attempt to raise money to run the colonies by taxing the colonists Teacher collected money from students

Classroom Historical Experience Reality No students were consulted about new policy Many students were angry about policy Smuggling made it easy for many colonists to avoid paying taxes Some students paid the fee b/c they did not want a zero for the quiz Some colonists obeyed the law b/c they feared punishment Many colonists were angered by policies and organized boycotts and protests Colonists had no voice in Parliament (Britain’s lawmaking body) Other students refused to pay fee or provided teacher with an “IOU”

REACTIONS ?? Colonists are outraged! “No taxation without representation!”