2. Prime Minister –
Sugar Act of 1764 –
Stamp Act of 1765 –
Petition –
Boycott –
Repealed –
George Grenville –

4. And the story continues . . .
The French and Indian War plunged Britain deeply into debt!
Parliament passes the Proclamation Act of 1763 prohibiting English colonists from settling west of the Appalachian Mountains. This angers colonists who ignore the proclamation.
Parliament sends 10,000 troops to “watch” over the colonists to make sure they obey the Proclamation act of Colonists are asked to pay more in taxes to pay for the soldiers.

5. In 1764, George Grenville was the Prime Minister of England.
A prime minister rules over Parliament (a group of law making representatives) and confers (discusses matters) with the King and Queen of England.
The French and Indian War had plunged Britain deeply into debt. As a result Britain needed a way to get more money.

6. Because Britain was in debt from the war, George Grenville decided that the colonists should have to pay their fair share. After all, he reasoned, it was the colonists who had gained most from the war!
In 1764, Grenville asked Parliament to approve the Sugar Act, which put a new tax on molasses.

8. Colonists avoided the tax by smuggling in goods and molasses!
Often the colonists would bribe (pay off) the tax collectors to look the other way.
Unfortunately for the colonists, the Sugar Act made it easier to bring smugglers to trial.
Also, unlike past tax laws that weren’t enforced, Grenville made it clear he expected the new tax to be paid!

9. Colonists smuggled molasses into the colonies, or bribed customs officials to “look the other way.”

10. Grenville also persuaded Parliament to pass the Stamp Act of 1765.
A tax was placed on all paper and legal documents: wills, marriage papers, newspapers, almanacs, playing cards, even dice!
All paper items had to have a stamp showing the tax had been paid!

11. When British officers tried to enforce the Stamp Act the colonists began protesting.
Riots broke out in Boston, New York, Newport, and Charleston.
Angry colonists threw rocks, tarred and feathered, and burned down the homes of tax collectors!

12. The anger of the colonists SHOCKED the British people back in England.
After all, hadn’t Britain spent a lot of money to protect the colonies against the French?
And the British citizens living in England were still paying higher taxes than the colonists.

13. Colonists felt that the taxes they were forced to pay were UNJUST!
“No taxation without representation!”
Colonists felt that the taxes they were forced to pay were UNJUST!
It had been an English tradition since the 1500s that citizens who paid taxes received a voice in Parliament.
Colonists did not have a voice in England’s Parliament and therefore they felt it unjust for them to pay taxes.
Colonists were willing to pay taxes but only if the taxes were passed by their own representative legislature in the colonies.

14. The Stamp Act is the single most important law passed by the English Parliament to have affected colonial and British relations because:
It ignited a fierce anger in the colonists that strained their relationship with English Parliament and their King.
It united the colonists, something no other colonial event had done.
It was the first step toward what would lead to (ten years later) the Revolutionary War where colonists would declare war on their own country.

15. The Stamp Act crisis brought a sense of UNITY to the colonies.
In October 1765, nine colonies sent delegates to what became known as the Stamp Act Congress.

16. What did the English Parliament do when they received the petition?
NOTHING!
The delegates drew up a petition to King George III, George Grenville and Parliament.
A petition is formally written document, typically signed by many people, appealing to authority about a particular cause.
In the petition the delegates rejected the Stamp Act. They told Parliament that they had no right to tax the colonists!

17. Trade fell off by 14%!
British merchants who sold English goods suffered!
British workers in England who made the goods suffered!
The colonists could join together!
The colonists could boycott (don’t buy) British goods!
Did it do any good?

18. Colonists rebel, tar and feather, and set collectors houses on fire
Colonists rebel, tar and feather, and set collectors houses on fire! They write a petition, and form the Stamp Act Congress, as well as boycotted British goods.

19. Did the colonial boycott have any effect on the King of England and Parliament?
YES!
In 1766, Parliament and King George III decided to REPEAL the Stamp Act! Repeal means to take away or remove.

22. NOT so FAST! I have another trick up my lacy sleeve!
They don’t call me the King for nothing!
What Happened?
In 1766, Parliament passed a law saying that it had the right to raise taxes in “all cases whatsoever.”
This is definitely NOT the end of the story. To be continued . . .