The Road to Revolution

Stamp Tax Uproar Britain had 140 million pounds of debt after winning the 7 Years War. Half of that debt was a result of defending the colonies Britain looked to diminish this debt by creating Acts that asked the colonies to pay taxes

Early Acts 1763 Prime Minister George Grenville ordered the British Navy to begin strictly enforcing the Navigation Acts 1764 Sugar Act increased the tax on sugar imported from the West Indies – First law ever passed by Parliament to raise tax revenue in the colonies for the British government – Colonies erupted in protest-Britain lowered the tax

More Acts… The 1765 Quartering Act Required certain colonies to provide food and quarters for British troops. The 1765 Stamp Act mandated the use of stamps on any official document as well as additional items (50 items) It was designed to make money to support the new military force stationed in the colonies

Was this fair? Grenville felt that this was fair because he was asking the colonies to pay for a part of their own defense. British people already paid taxes that were higher than these taxes. Colonists felt that these taxes jeopardized their rights as Englishmen because offenders were tried in admiralty courts where there were no juries allowed Guilty until proven innocent

You decide… Do you feel that Prime Minister George Grenville was justified in ordering the colonists to pay these taxes? Why or why not? Explain.

What was the need for a British army in the colonies? French had been expelled from the continent Pontiac’s warriors had been crushed Colonies were suspicious of the British

“NO TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION” Americans made a designation between legislation and taxation Felt Parliament HAD the right to legislate about matters affecting their empire including the regulation of trade Felt that Parliament DID NOT HAVE the right to impose taxes on Americans because there were no American representatives in Parliament. Only elected colonial legislatures had the power to tax.

British Perspective Grenville dismissed these protests Felt that the power of the Parliament was supreme and undivided Every member of the Parliament represented all British subjects including the American colonists- called “virtual representation” This was laughed at by American colonists Both sides stood by their principles

Repeal of the Stamp Act Stamp Act Congress met in 1765 in NYC- 27 distinguished delegates from 9 colonies Debated and drew up a statement of rights and grievances and asked the King and Parliament to repeal the legislation (ignored) Colonists decided to make an agreement NOT to import British goods (effective)

What effect did the agreement to deny the importation of British goods have on the American colonists? United American colonists in common action Provided opportunities for colonists to participate in protests and boycotts Groups of women gathered to make homespun clothing to replace British textiles Resistance spread through the colonies

Sons and Daughters of Liberty Colonial protests became violent Enforced the non-importation agreement by tarring and feathering violators Ransacked houses of British officials Confiscated money from British officials Hanged dummies representing tax collectors Forced Stamp Agents to resign

Effects of the Non-Importation Boycott Americans had bought ¼ of all British goods Merchants, manufacturers, and shippers suffered (hundreds lost work) British citizens demanded that Parliament repeal the Stamp Act Member of British Parliament were upset because 7.5 million Brits paid heavy taxes to protect the colonies yet 2 million colonists refused to pay 1/5 of the cost of their own defense

1766 Stamp Act Officially Repealed Repealed the Stamp Act Immediately passed the Declaratory Act which stated that Parliament had the right to bind the colonies “in all cases whatsoever” Absolute sovereignty over the colonies Americans made clear that they wanted sovereignty of their own and that they would go to drastic measures to secure it