1. Fighting Back- Acts of Colonial Resistance

2. 1765- Virginia Resolves Proposed by Patrick Henry
Virginia could only be taxed by Virginians
“if this be treason, let me make the most of it”
Led to similar resolutions in 8 other colonies
Printed and distributed to other colonies

3. Stamp Act Congress- 1765
James Otis persuaded other colonies to meet in NY to petition the king
Acknowledged subordination to England but denied England’s right to tax without consent (only colonial legislature)
England repeals Stamp Act, passes Declaratory Act

4. Sons of Liberty
Started off as the Loyal Nine, grew in response to Stamp Act
Intimidated, tarred and feathered tax collectors
Burned stamps, threatened anyone who cooperated

5. Tarring and Feathering

6. SOL Focus on Propaganda
Wanted to promote radical message in a peaceful way
Spread propaganda in the form of letters, brochures, engravings, posters, etc.
Organized Committees of Correspondence to spread information throughout colonies (Women and DOL involved)

7. Paul Revere’s on the Boston Massacre

8. The Gaspee Incident (1772)
The Gaspee was a hated British schooner that operated on the coast of Rhode Island
The Gaspee ran aground and was a sitting duck for the Sons of Liberty
SOL members burned the ship and wounded crew members
Propaganda was spread by the SOL and this inspired many Patriots

9. The Gaspee Burning

10. Boston Tea Party (1773)
Bostonians upset with Tea Act (especially the smugglers)
SOL members dress up like Mohawk Indians and dump 342 chests into Boston Harbor
Britain is furious and pass the Coercive Acts

11. Boston Tea Party

12. The First Continental Congress (1774)
Met to discuss problems with Great Britain
Denounced Intolerable Acts
Urged Colonists to organize a militia
Called on colonists to suspend all trade with Great Britain
Urged citizens not to pay taxes
Did not call for Independence, but wanted grievances addressed

13. Important Propaganda
John Dickinson’s Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania(1767)- no difference between internal and external taxes, colonies are sovereign
Sam Adams’ Massachusetts Circular Letter (1768)- argued Townshend Duties unconstitutional, only colonial assemblies should tax (British military to Boston)

14. And Common Sense (1776)
The most read piece of literature next to the Bible
Thomas Paine (the original T-Paine) argued that there was no need for British connection (its Common Sense)