Tighter British Control
One American’s Story:
A Voice From The Past- “It appears to me the worst instrument of arbitrary power, the most destructive of English liberty and the fundamental principles of law that was ever found in an English law-book.” James Otis, Jr., quoted in James Otis: The Pre-Revolutionist by J.C. Ridpath
What was James Otis so angry about?
James Otis was angry about the use of the search warrants in the colonies which gave officials the right to search without cause.
The Colonies and Britain Grow Apart
During the French and Indian War, _Britain______and the ______colonies______fought _side______by ___side______. __Americans______took __pride_____ in being partners in the victory over the _French______. When the war ended, problems arose. ___Britain_____ wanted to ___govern______the 13 original colonies and the territories gained in the war _in___ a _uniform______way_____. So the British __Parliament_____ in London imposed new __laws_____ and ___restrictions______. Previously, the __colonies______had been allowed to _____develop______largely on __their______own___. Now they felt that their ____freedom______was being __limited______.
The first of Parliament’s laws was the ___Proclamation______of_ __1763_____. It said that colonists could _not______settle_____ west of the __Appalachian______Mountains______. Britain wanted this land to remain in the hands of its ____Native______American______allies to ___prevent____ another ___revolt_____ like Pontiac’s Rebellion.
The proclamation _angered______colonists who had _hoped_____ to ___move___ to the fertile Ohio Valley. Many of these colonists had _no___ land of __their______own__. It also upset colonists who had bought land as an __investment______. As a result, many __ignored_____ the __law_____.
British Troops and Taxes
King George III, the British monarch, wanted to _enforce______the proclamation and also keep __peace___ with Britain’s Native American ___allies______. To do this, he decided to keep __10,000______soldiers in the colonies. In 1765, Parliament passed the _Quartering______Act____. This was a __cost-saving______measure that required the colonies to quarter, or __house_____, British soldiers and ___provide_____ them with __supplies______. General Thomas Gage, commander of these forces, put most of the troops in _____New______York______.
Why did Britain have a large debt? What did they need to deal with it?
Britain had a large debt from fighting the French and Indian War over seven long years. They needed revenue, or income, in order to pay off that debt.
In the past, the king had asked the ____colonial______assemblies______to pass __taxes______to support ___military______actions that took __place______in the _colonies______. This time, however, __Parliament__ voted to _tax___ the _____colonists______directly____.
What act did Parliament pass in 1764 and what did it mean for the colonists?
Parliament passed the Sugar Act in 1764 it meant that colonists would now be paying a tax on sugar, molasses, and other products that were being shipped to the colonies.
As a result, the following slogan was adopted by the colonists:“Taxation without representation in tyranny!”
Britain Passes the Stamp Act
What was the Stamp Act?
All documents must carry a stamp to show a tax had been paid.
How did it affect the colonists?
This tax affected colonists directly, where previous taxes had mostly affected merchants.
Colonial leaders vigorously protested. For them, the __issue____ was clear. They were being _taxed___ without their ___consent_____ by a Parliament in which they had no _____voice______. If Britain could pass the Stamp Act, what other taxes might it pass in the future? Samuel Adams, a leader of the Massachusetts legislature, asked, “Why not our lands_____? Why not the __produce______of our _lands______and, in short, ______everything______we ____posses____ and make use of?” Patrick Henry, a member of Virginia’s House of Burgesses, called for the resistance to the tax. When another member shouted that resistance was ___treason______, Henry replied, “If tis be ______treason______, make the ___most____ of it!”
The Colonies Protest the Stamp Act
What slogan became the cry of Colonial assemblies and newspapers?
“No taxation without representation!”
What steps did colonists take to resist and protest the Stamp Act?
They drew up a petition to protest the Stamp Act, they organized a boycott of British goods, they formed secret societies, and burned stamped paper and attacked customs officials.
Who was William Pitt? What did he say about what was happening in the colonies?
William Pitt was a popular parliamentary leader who agreed with the Americans. He called for an immediate repeal of the Stamp Act.
What did Parliament do in response to American protesting?
Parliament repealed the Stamp Act; however, placed another law in effect giving them sole power to govern the colonies.
What was Britain’s final word for the colonies?The Declaratory Act
How did Britain view the colonies?
As a possession to be governed and dealt with as they saw fit
How did colonists view Britain and Parliament?
Colonists viewed Britain and Parliament as acting against their rights and therefore as an enemy.
Describe what you see in this British political cartoon:
A customs official is being tarred and feathered and colonists are pouring hot tea down his throat.