1. The Stamp Act 1765
Britain required colonists to buy special stamps that had to be placed on every piece of printed paper including playing cards, newspapers, and legal documents.
Protests to the Stamp Act were widespread. Colonists boycotted many British goods, they signed a petition demanding the repeal of the Sugar Act and the Stamp Act, and even physically attacked tax collectors.

2. The memorandum Mr. Creten read to you was not real, and your money will be returned to you at the end of the activity. You will understand why we did this activity shortly.

3. YOU’VE BEEN PUNK’D!

4. Taxation Without Representation
Class Experience
Memorandum announced that students had to pay for photocopies.
Shortfalls in state revenue forced the County to seek alternative funding.
Historical Reality
The Stamp & Sugar Acts were an attempt to raise money by taxing the colonists.
French & Indian War left Britain with an enormous debt.

5. Taxation Without Representation
Class Experience
3. Each student was required to pay ten cents per photocopied page.
4. The teacher collected money from many students.
Historical Reality
3. Colonists were required to trade only with Britain and pay taxes on certain goods.
4. Customs officials were appointed by the crown to collect taxes and enforce trade laws.

6. Taxation Without Representation
Class Experience
5. No students were consulted to see if they approved of the policy.
6. Many students were outraged by the policy.
Historical Reality
5. Colonists had no voice in Parliament, Britain’s lawmaking body.
6. Many colonists displayed their anger by organizing boycotts and protests.

7. feelings and reactions
On a separate sheet
of paper, describe your
feelings and reactions
from today’s activity and how does it help you understand the colonists’ reaction.

9. The angry colonists protested the Stamp Act.

10. Eventually, England repealed (took away) the Stamp Act, which pleased the colonists. The colonists succeeded – for now at least.

11. Why were the colonists so angry?
The colonists had no representation or say in Britain’s Parliament.
“Taxation Without Representation”

12. Why were the colonists so angry?
Britain chose governors to control the colonies. Those governors had too much power.

13. Britain did not allow the colonists to make their own laws.
Why were the colonists so angry?
Britain did not allow the colonists to make their own laws.

14. King George III, Britain’s ruler at that time, became very unpopular in the colonies.
The colonists did not like his new taxes and laws.

15. Now, it was time for the Colonists to respond
Now, it was time for the Colonists to respond. They would begin to show their anger toward Britain in different ways.

16. How did the colonists respond to Britain’s unfair taxes and laws?
They boycotted British goods to avoid paying taxes.
2) They encouraged colonial shopkeepers NOT to import goods from Britain.
They began to weave their
own cloth and use only American products.
NO!

17. People in the 13 Colonies chose whether to be a patriot or a loyalist.

18. Patriots believed in America’s independence and wanted to break away from England
Picture by Richard Stein

19. Loyalists were opposed to independence and wanted to remain under the control of England.
Picture by Richard Stein

20. Why would any colonist want to remain loyal to Britain?
Nearpod Question
Why would any colonist want to remain loyal to Britain?

21. Throughout the colonies, the patriots’ were very vocal in trying to get people to join the fight for freedom and independence from Britain.

22. Thomas Paine, a journalist and author, also used words to inspire people to join the fight for freedom.

23. Thomas Paine wrote a famous book about fighting for freedom called Common Sense. One out of every five American colonists read Common Sense.
Bridgeman Art Gallery; London & New York

24. Nearpod Question
Why do you think Thomas Paine named his book Common Sense? What is common sense?

25. His simple words expressed and rallied support for American independence.
Bridgeman Art Gallery; London & New York

26. “I offer nothing more than simple facts, plain arguments and common sense.” Thomas Paine “Common Sense” “The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.” Thomas Paine “The Crisis”
Bridgeman Art Gallery; London & New York