1. Road to Revolution
England neglected the colonies for over 150 years. The colonists had to pay very little tax and the British Navigation acts were never enforced. The colonists had grown very independent.

2. The Road to Revolution
However, after the French & Indian War, England’s policy toward her colonies changed. England had a huge war debt after defeating the French. England reasoned that it had defended the colonies from the French and thus they should help payoff their share of the debt. To do this, England would impose new tax laws.

3. British Action Writs of Assistance – 1761
To stop smuggling and raise revenue, customs officials are given writs of assistance (general search warrants) to search any ship, home or warehouse for smuggled goods.

4. Colonial Reaction
James Otis, a lawyer, challenges the legality of the writs. He argues that they violate the basic right to be free from unreasonable search and seizures. Colonists are angry over their use.

5. British Action Proclamation of 1763
To avoid attacks from Native Americans (Pontiac’s War), England prevents colonists from moving west of the Appalachian Mts.

6. British Action
Proclamation
Line of 1763

7. Colonial Reaction
The colonists are angry that they cannot settle land that they helped to win from the French. Many ignore the Proclamation.

8. British Action Quartering Act – 1765
Believing that the colonist should help pay for their defense, England required that the colonists must provide funds, living quarters, and supplies to British troops in the colonies.

9. Colonial Reaction
The colonists were angry that they had to pay for British troops during peace time.
English had a distrust of large standing armies!

10. British Action Stamp Tax – 1765
To raise money, the act places a tax on all newspapers, almanacs, pamphlets, playing cards, & legal documents. A government stamp must be placed on all of these articles.

11. British Action

12. Colonial Reaction
This tax affects all people and stirs up a “hornets nest” of reaction. Soon the colonists:
Boycott products that are taxed.
Sons of Liberty – Patriotic group – intimidate tax collectors
“No taxation without representation”
(Colonies cannot be taxed by Parliament since they have no representation in Parliament)
Stamp Act Congress – meets in NY
Colonists petition King George III and Parliament
Petition: a list of grievances.

14. Colonial Reaction
British or Colonial Propaganda?

15. “Sons of Liberty”
The secret society was formed to protect the rights of the colonists and to fight taxation by the British government
Samuel Adams led the resistance to the Stamp Act in Boston, MA.

16. Key “Sons of Liberty”
Patrick Henry, a self educated lawyer with a fiery temper, would lead the resistance to the Stamp Act in Virginia

17. British Action
Parliament is disturbed over the violence in the colonies and repeals the Stamp Act.
Declaratory Act – England can tax its colonies.

18. British Action Townshend Act – 1767
New tax on imports of glass, lead, paint, paper, and tea.

19. Colonial Reaction
The colonists boycott glass, lead, paint, paper, and tea.
England repeals the Townshend Acts (1770), but keeps the small tax on tea.
Committees of Correspondence form to keep the colonies informed of new developments.

20. British Action Boston Massacre – 1770
On March 5, 1770, a crowd of Bostonians shout insults and throw snowballs at a group of British soldiers. The soldiers fire into the crowd, killing 5 and wounding 6.

21. Boston Massacre – 1770

22. Colonial Reaction
Samuel Adams and the Sons of Liberty issue propaganda and call for the removal of British troops. Soon news of the “Boston Massacre” spreads throughout the colonies. Tension between the colonists and British is extremely high.

23. Colonial Reaction

24. Colonial Reaction

25. Boston Massacre Site Today