US History
Fort Burrows
5.2 -- Turmoil Over TAXATION
READ pgs 146 - 154
Main Idea:
Many colonists opposed the Parliament’s attempt to tighten control over Britain’s North America empire.
Vocabulary:
Pontiac’s War – 1763 conflict between Indians and British over Indian land near the Great
Lakes
Proclamation of 1763 – law forbidding English colonists to settle West of the Appalachian
Mountains
Stamp Act – 1765 law that placed duties on legal documents, newspapers, almanacs, playing
cards, and dice
petition – formal written request to someone in authority, signed by a group
boycott – refusal to buy certain goods and services
repeal – cancel
Townshend Acts – 1767 law that taxed glass, paper, paint, lead, and tea
writs of assistance – legal document that allowed British customs to inspect a ship’s cargo
without giving a reason
Boston Massacre – 1770 conflict between colonist and British troops in which 5 colonists
were killed
committee of correspondence – letter writing campaign that became a major
tool of protest in the colonies
Setting the Scene:
The lieutenant governor of Massachusetts, Thomas Hutchinson, was at supper with his children in Boston when an out-of-breath messenger arrived. A mob was coming for Hutchinson. “ I directed my children to fly to a secure place”, Hutchinson recalled. Then he fled to a neighbors.
“I had been there but a few minutes before the hellish crew fell upon my house with theRage of devils and in a moment with axes split down the doors and entered…”
Thomas Hutchinson, lieutenant governor of Massachusetts, 1765
The furious mob went to work. It smashed windows and broke down walls. It ripped up Hutchinson’s garden and chopped down his trees. The entire house would have been demolished except that daylight came before the job could be finished. “Such ruins were never seen in America,” Hutchinson mourned.
“How could such a riot take place? Only two years earlier, in 1763, British colonists had celebrated Britain’s victory over France. In truth, the riots of 1765 were only the beginning of a growing dispute with Great Britain.”
Thomas Hutchinson, September 9, 1711– June 3, 1780
New Troubles on the Frontier
” “ ” Fur traders sent back glowing reports about the land beyond the Appalachians
” “ ” British headed west eager to claim the land for themselves
” “ ” Clashes with Native Americans
Many Native Americans lived in Ohio Valley
British raised the price of goods traded and allowed settlers to build farms and forts on Indian land
An Ottawa chief, Pontiac, became leader for the angry Indians and called the British “dogs dressed in red, who have come to rob us of our hunting grounds and drive away the game”
” “” War on the Frontier
Pontiac led attack on British troops at Fort Detroit and captured most of the British forts in Ohio Valley
British fought back and regained much of what they lost
Conflict was named Pontiac’s War and did not last long
French told Indians they signed the Treaty of Paris which ended the French power in North America
Indians could no longer count on French aid and stopped fighting
Proclamation of 1763
” “ ” Pontiac’s War convinced British that they should stop British subjects from settling on the western frontier
” “ ” Government issued the Proclamation of 1763 which drew an imaginary line along the crest of the Appalachian Mountains
” “ ” Colonists were forbidden to settle west of the line
” “ ” Proclamation was meant to bring order to western lands
” “ ” To enforce it, Britain stationed 10,000 troops in the colonies
” “ ” Colonists had to pay for the extra British troops sent to enforce proclamation
” “ ” Many settlers ignored the proclamation and moved west anyway
¿¿ How did the Proclamation of 1763 affect colonists ? ______
______
Britain Imposes New Taxes
” “ ” French and Indian War plunged Britain deeply into debt
” “ ” Taxes paid by citizens in Britain rose sharply
” “ ” British Prime Minister decided colonists should help share the burden
” “ ” Sugar Act
In 1764, the Prime Minister asked parliament to approve the Sugar Act, which put a new tax on molasses (valuable item in Triangular Trade)
Sugar Act replaced an earlier tax that was so high it would have driven merchants out of business
Most colonial merchants avoided that tax by smuggling molasses or bribing the tax collectors to look the other way
Sugar Act of 1764 lowered tax but made it easier to bring smugglers to trial
” “ ” Stamp Act
In 1765, the Prime Minister asked parliament to approve the Stamp Act, which placed duties on legal documents such as wills, diplomas, marriage licenses, newspapers, playing cards and dice
Samuel Adams September 27 – October 2, 1803 one of the most outspoken opponents of the Stamp Act; he had once been a tax collector
¿¿ How did Britain’s economic policy after the French Indian war affect colonists ?
______.
Protesting the Stamp Act
” “ ” When British tried to enforce Stamp Act, they were met with stormy protests from colonists
” “ ” Colonists threw rocks and tarred/feathered tax collectors; destroyed a home
” “ ” The colonists fury shocked the British
” “ ” British at home were paying higher taxes than colonists and Britain had spent a great deal of money protecting colonists from the French and Indians
“ Our colonies must be the biggest Beggars in the World, if such small Duties appear to be intolerable Burdens in their Eyes. ”
Pacificus (Alexander Hamilton), Maryland Gazette, March 20, 1766
” “ ” No Taxation Without Representation!
Colonists felt Stamp Act taxes were unjust
Taxes went against the principle of no taxation without representation
This principle was rooted in English traditions dating back to the Magna Carta in 1215
Colonists had no representation in Parliament so they could not tax them
Colonists were willing to pay taxes if they were passed by colonial legislatures
” “ ” Uniting in Peaceful Protest
In 1765, nine colonies sent delegates to the Stamp Act Congress
Delegates drew up petitions to King George III and Parliament
In petitions, delegates rejected the Stamp Act; no right to tax colonies
Parliament paid little attention
Colonists joined together to boycott British goods; trade fell by 14%
In 1766, Parliament repealed the Stamp Act but passed a law saying that Parliament had the right to raise taxes in “all cases whatsoever”
The Townshend Acts
” “ ” In 1767, Britain reopened the debate over taxing the colonies
” “ ” Parliament passed Townshend Acts, which taxed goods such as glass, paper, paint, lead and tea
” “ ” Taxes were low but colonists said Parliament did not have right to tax them without their consent (again)
” “ ” Searching Without a Reason
Townshend Acts also set-up a new way to collect taxes
Customs officials were sent to America with orders to stop smuggling
Using legal documents, writs of assistance, officers could search cargos without a reason
Colonists argued that the writs of assistance violated their rights as British citizens
By law, officials could not search a person’s property without a good reason
“ Now, one of the most essential branches of English liberty is the freedom of one’s house. A man’s house is his castle; and while he is quiet, he is as well guarded as a prince in his castle. This writ, if it should be declared legal, would totally destroy this privilege. Customhouse officers may enter our house when they please… break locks, bars, and everything in their way…” James Otis, February 24, 1761
” “ ” Colonial Protests Widen
Colonists responded by promising to stop importing goods taxed by Townshend Acts
Colonists hoped the boycott would win repeal of Townshend Acts
Angry colonists formed the Sons of Liberty which staged mock hangings of British officials
Daughters of Liberty also signed petitions and boycotted fine British cloth
New Colonial Leaders
” “ ” In Massachusetts
Samuel Adams of Boston stood firmly against Britain and emerged as a leader against the tax struggle
Unlikely leader – failure in business, poor public speaker, wore red suit and gray wig but was good at organizing people
John Adams (Sam’s cousin) was another important leader
School teacher and lawyer who had great knowledge of British law
Mercy Otis Warren
” “ ” In Virginia
George Washington joined other Virginians to protest taxes
Patrick Henry, a lawyer, became well-known vocal critic of Britain politics
His speeches in HOB, moved listeners to anger and tears, especially Jefferson
¿¿ What new colonial leaders became popular ?From what colony ? ______
The Boston Massacre
” “ ” Port cities, like NY and Boston, were centers for protests
” “ ” In NY, a dispute arose over the Quartering Act – law that made colonists provide housing, bedding, and beverages to soldiers stationed in colonies
” “ ” British also sent regiments to protect customs officials from citizens
” “ ” The soldiers presence was a daily reminder that they were being bullied by Britain to pay unjust taxes
” “ ” A Bloody Night
On March 5, 1770, a crowd gathered outside the Boston customs house
Colonists shouted insults, threw snowballs, oyster shells and ice at soldiers
British soldiers panicked and fired into the large and rowdy crowd
5 people lay dead including a white youth (17) and African American sailor
Colonists protested the incident called the Boston Massacre
Paul Revere and Sam Adams fanned anti-British feelings to build outrage
Soldiers were arrested and tried in court but the heaviest punishment was a branding on the hand
Sam Adams formed committee of correspondence, or letter writing campaign, which became a major tool of protest in every colony
” “ ” A Temporary Calm
By chance, a bill was introduced to repeal most of the Townshend Acts on the very day of the Boston Massacre
Quartering Act was repealed
King George III retained the tax on tea
Colonists were happy with the repeals, dismissed the tea tax and ended their boycott of British goods
There was a period of calm but Britain’s power to tax the colonies remained unsettled
Forced colonists to think more carefully about their political rights
- How did Britain attempt to ease growing tensions on the American frontier ?
______
- How did the colonists react to new taxes imposed by Parliament ?
Sugar Act – ______
______
Stamp Act –______
______
Townshend Acts – ______
______
- Which new colonial leaders emerged as the conflict with Britain escalated ?
In Massachusetts–______
______
In Virginia–______
______
- What events led to the Boston Massacre ?
Parliament passed:
Townshend Acts –______
______
Quartering Act –______
______
5. What can you infer about Pontiac’s reaction when the French told him about the
Treaty of Paris ?
A. he was pleased that there would be peace between the French and English
B. he was indifferent to the loss of French aid
C. he was disappointed that the French would no longer offer aid
D. he was eager to form an alliance with the English
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