1. The Road to Revolution
By Mr. Argall & Mr. Forbes

2. Didn’t we JUST finish talking about a war?
Remember the problems that the French and Indian War created.
How to repay the War debt?
William Pitt had intended to spend now, pay later…
The Proclamation of 1763
People wanted that land West of the Appalachain Mountains…
Other problem laws…
The Navigation Acts
People did not like restrictions on their trade

3. The British started NEW Problems
They brought in 10,000 soldiers to enforce the Proclamation of 1763 and any new laws…
The colonists were frightened that the British would interfere with what they were used to
Soldiers often acted rudely towards the colonists, making good relations difficult

4. The rule of George Grenville
Grenville becomes the Prime Minister of England in 1763 (Pitt is gone)
Decides to reduce Britain’s debt
He wants to crack down on smuggling
Starts Vice Admiralty Courts
Courts run by British officers with NO JURY
Defendants were considered guilty until proven innocent
Allows Writs of Assistance
Basically search warrants but without restrictions

5. Taxes, Taxes, Taxes The Sugar Act of 1764 Lowers the tax on Molasses
BUT… also gave British officers the right to seize goods from smugglers without a trial. (This was abused, i.e. the Liberty Affair 1768)

6. The Stamp Act In 1765 Parliament passed a tax on all printed material
This was a direct tax on the colonists, who used these materials everyday
It was passed without consulting the colonial legislatures, thus ignoring the colonial tradition of self government.

7. Let the protests begin
Patrick Henry gets Virginia to speak out against the law
Samuel Adams starts the Sons of Liberty to stage rallies and protests
Colonists began to raid and destroy British official’s houses
Tax collectors were tarred and feathered

8. More official protests
The Stamp Act Congress
Nine states agreed to tell the King and Parliament that only the colonists could tax the colonies
Boycotts are started.
An agreement by a group to not buy from or sell to another group
Non-importation agreements
People agree to not buy goods brought in by a certain group or country

9. Results – Good, Bad, or Ugly…
By March of 1766, the Stamp Act is repealed, or canceled
Bad
Parliament then passes the Declaratory Act, which stated that the Parliament had the power to make all laws for the colonies
Ugly
The Townshend Act of 1767
Taxed all imports (Colonists were a captive market)
Protests begin all over again, but bigger (Daughters of Liberty)

10. The Boston Massacre March 5, 1770
A fight between the soldiers and citizens turned into a riot
More soldiers are called, colonists throw things, then a soldier is knocked down and they open fire
Five colonists are killed, including Crispus Attucks (Freed African American)

11. Both sides use this as propaganda
Information designed to influence opinion.
Colonists try to depict the British as horrible people
Gets the British to repeal the Townshend acts except for tea
Committees of Correspondence are started to share ideas and spread anti British feelings.

12. A crisis over tea
The British try to save the Dutch East India Company by allowing them to sell tea in the colonies without paying the taxes
This makes the colonial tea merchants mad
New boycotts are started
Dutch East India ships are not allowed to even unload

13. The Boston Tea Party
1773 – Three ships come to Boston Harbor. Thomas Hutchinson refuses to let them turn back
Dec 16th, Sam Adams and the Sons of Liberty dress as Indians, sneak on board the ships, and destroy all 342 chests of tea

14. The Intolerable Acts
In reaction to the Boston Tea Party, King George passed the Coercive Acts in 1774
Closed Boston Harbor
No supplies, not even food could come in by boat
Other colonies helped Boston by lending support and sending supplies by land
Took away town meetings
Permitted Royal officers to be tried in England for crimes instead of in Boston
Required the Quartering of troops by Bostonians
Quebec Act of 1774
Gave Quebec the land West of the Appalachain Mountains (remember this is what the French and Indian War was fought for!!!!)