1. Tensions Build
Part 1

2. Review Britain in debt because of the French and Indian War
Britain wants colonists to pay for part of the war debt
Colonists were angered by Britain’s plan to pay off war debt
Proclamation Act of 1763

3. The Sugar Act
New taxes on sugar, molasses, silk, wine, coffee, indigo, etc.
Break English law w/ the Sugar Act
Merchants accused of smuggling these goods from other countries were presumed guilty until proven innocent.
British officials were allowed to seize goods without due process (proper court procedures).
Prevented lawsuits by merchants whose goods had been improperly seized.

4. Colonists React Colonist merchants complained to Parliament…
The act hurt trade and violated several traditional English rights such as innocent until proven guilty and due process.
Colonists protested in form of pamphlets
Parliament ignored the colonists protests.
James Otis protest pamphlet
“No taxation without representation.”

5. The Stamp Act Parliament passed the Stamp Act to raise money
The act required stamps to be placed on most printed materials
Newspapers, pamphlets, wills, deeds, licenses, diplomas, dice, and playing cards
Parliament had previously imposed many taxes on trade but…
The Stamp Act was the first direct tax Britain had ever placed on the colonists

6. Colonists React The Stamp Act Congress
Representatives from nine colonies meet
Issued the Declaration of Rights and Grievances
Only the colonists’ political representatives had the right to tax them and not Parliament (No taxation without representation!)
Sent a petition King George and Parliament asking for relief and to repeal the act
The King and Parliament did nothing

7. Boycott British Goods!
When the Stamp Act took effect the Colonists ignored it and began to boycott all British goods
Thousands of workers in Britain lost their jobs
B/c orders from the colonies were cancelled
British merchants could not collect money the colonies owed them

8. Britain Gives In British lawmakers repealed the Stamp Act
B/c of protests in both Britain and America
But…to reaffirm British authority Parliament passed the Declaratory Act
Asserted that Parliament had the power to make laws for the colonies
Britain reserved the right to tax the colonies without colonial representation in Parliament.

9. The Quartering Act
Forced the colonists to pay more for their own defense
Colonists must provide barracks for British troops
If the colonists did not provide barracks for the British soldiers…
The troops then had the right to stay in taverns, inns, vacant buildings, and barns
The colonists were expected to pay rent for the troops forced to stay in these places

10. The Townshend Acts
A series of new laws that placed import taxes on glass, paper, paint, lead, and tea
The British government wanted this money to pay for the salaries of governors and other British officers
Legalized writs of assistance
General search warrants for customs officers to enter any location to look for evidence of smuggling

11. Colonists React They protest peacefully!
No taxation without representation!
Organized a boycott of British goods
Colonists b/g making their own cloth, paper, and paint
Most colonists still had faith in British rule although it was beginning to weaken