Turmoil over Taxation Ch. 5 Section 2

Objective Analyze the events leading up to the start of the American Revolution Evaluate the impact that the taxing of the colonists had on the start of the war

New Troubles on the Frontier By 1760, French had been driven out of the Ohio Valley Caused influx of British colonists to the land Clashes with Native Americans 1762 – Lord Jeffery Amherst keeps order French traders on frontier held feasts for Indians and gave presents Amherst did not do this, raised prices of goods instead Also allowed settlers to build on Indian land

New Troubles on the Frontier cont. Pontiac – Leader among Native Americans Very respected by fellow Indians Pontiac – British were “dogs dressed in red” War on the Frontier Pontiac led attacks, quickly captured most British forts in Ohio Country - Pontiac’s War, did not last long 1763 – Treaty of Paris signed, Indians could no longer hope for French support, slowly stopped fighting and returned home

Proclamation of 1763 Aftermath of Pontiac’s War Dangerous for colonists to settle on Western Frontier Issue Proclamation of 1763 – Colonists were forbidden to settle west of Appalachian Mountains Purpose was to protect Colonists and Indians British sent 10,000 troops to the colonies to enforce law Few troops actually went to the Frontier, most stayed in cities Proclamation angered colonists Many colonies claimed lands in the west Colonists now had to pay for more British troops in the area Many ignored proclamation and moved anyway

Britain Imposes New taxes Debt from French and Indian War Taxes paid by British citizens rose, colonists should share burden Sugar Act – 1764 Replaced a tax on molasses so high, merchants smuggled or bribed tax collectors Made it easier to bring smugglers to trial Stamp act – 1765 New duties on legal docs – wills, diplomas, marriage papers Tax on newspapers, almanacs, playing cards, dice All items must have stamp, used in Britain to raise money, but never used in colonies

Protesting the Stamp Act Stormy Protests Threw rocks at, tarred and feathered tax agents British shocked – fought war to protect colonists British at home were paying higher taxes “No Taxation Without Representation!” Taxes went against principle Since colonists did not elect representatives to Parliament, Parliament had no right to tax them

Protesting the Stamp Act cont. Uniting in Peaceful Protest Petition – formal written request to someone in authority Colonists also boycotted British goods, or refused to buy or use them Boycotts took their toll, British merchants and workers were facing ruin 1766 – Repealed Stamp act Parliament also passed law saying they could raise taxes in “all cases whatsoever”

The Townshend Acts Taxed goods such as glass, paper, pain, lead and tea Colonists objected for same reason Searching Without a Reason Townshend Acts set up new ways to collect taxes Writs of Assistance – officers could inspect ship’s cargo without reason Colonists say writs violate rights as British citizens Sons of liberty formed to protest British Staged hangings of cloth British officials to scare them Boycotted British goods

The Boston Massacre Quartering act Colonists must provide housing and bedding to British soldiers in the colonies A Bloody Night – March 5 th, 1770 Crowd gathered outside Boston Customs house shouting insults at soldiers Soldiers panicked, fired into crowd Boston Massacre – five colonists dead

A Temporary Calm Parliament repeals Townshend and Quartering acts, most offensive taxes repealed Core issue remained unsettled – British can still tax colonists Still did not have representation in Parliament Debate over taxes had forced colonists to begin thinking more carefully about their political rights