1. Samuel Johnson: “He that accepts protection, stipulates obedience
Samuel Johnson: “He that accepts protection, stipulates obedience. We have always protected the Americans. We may, therefore, subject them to government.”
If subjects enjoy the protection of the government, does that mean that the government has certain rights, including taxation to pay for that protection?

2. The Proclamation of 1763
After Pontiac’s War, British government declared that colonists could not settle west of the Appalachian mountains

3. Custom Duties Tax on imports and exports
Smugglers were bringing goods in and out of the colonies
Smugglers were tried in Nova Scotia, where the court had no jury and did not follow Common British law
Colonists felt they were being denied their rights as British citizens

4. The Sugar Act
Raised the tax rates on imports of raw sugar and molasses
The property of merchants accused of smuggling was seized
“No taxation without representation”
Currency Act: to slow inflation, Britain banned the use of paper money in the colonies because it lost its value so quickly

5. The Stamp Act Taxed almost all printed materials in the colonies
First direct tax on colonists:
Sons of Liberty: group that held demonstrations
Declaration of Rights and Grievances:
Believed only colonial representatives had the rights to tax, asked Parliament to repeal the Stamp Act
Nonimportation Agreement: pledged not to buy any British good until Parliament repealed the acts

6. The Townshend Acts
Revenue Act: customs duties on glass, lead, paper, paint and tea imported by the colonies
Writs of assistance
Enabled customs officers to enter any location and search for evidence of smuggling

7. Reaction: Colonists write letters of protest;
Virginia’s House of Burgesses passed the Virginia Resolves, saying only the House had the right to tax Virginians
Boycott on imported British goods spreads; stopped buy British cloth and tea

8. The Boston Massacre
People were attacking customs officials, British military fired shots and killed 3 people;
Several weeks later the British repealed almost all of the Townshend Acts, but kept one tax on tea to maintain the right to tax the colonists
Please read Section 2 up until “The Revolution Begins” 64-68