Lesson 4: Actions and Reactions
British Colonial British Action Reaction Reaction
STAMP ACT CONGRESS October, 1765 Representatives from 9 colonies attended and protested…
The Writs Trials Stamp of without Act Assistance Juries Result of the Stamp Act Congress
Jigsaw Activity Keeping track of Political Ideas Just go for the main idea. Why are the dates important? British Colonial British Action Reaction Reaction
The Protests Repeal of Stamp such as the Stamp Act boycotts Act The Declaratory Act - March 18, 1766
An act for the better securing the dependency of his majesty's dominions in America upon the crown and parliament of Great Britain.
Whereas several of the houses of representatives in his Majesty's colonies and plantations in America, have of late against law, claimed to themselves, or to the general assemblies of the same, the sole and exclusive right of imposing duties and taxes upon his majesty's subjects in the said colonies and plantations… may it be declared That the said colonies and plantations in America have been, are, and of right ought to be, subordinate unto, and dependent upon the imperial crown and parliament of Great Britain and that the King's majesty with parliament assembled have, full power and authority to make laws and statutes of sufficient force and validity to bind the colonies and people of America, subjects of the crown of Great Britain, in all cases whatsoever.
Colonial Imports From Britain
2,500,000.00
2,000,000.00
1,500,000.00
1,000,000.00
500,000.00 Value in British Pounds British in Value 0.00 1764 1765 1766 1767 Year ACTION
Townshend Acts
1767 • Suspended the NY Assembly for not complying with the Quartering Act.
• Tax on things like glass and paint from Britain.
• Continued to allow ‘Writs of Assistance’
• Put a tax on tea.
EVENT YEAR WHAT HAPPENED? REACTION
British placed a tax on things like glass and paint. Colonists were very angry. 1767 Circular letter- Massachusetts Writs of Assistance were issued that allowed the British to search for Boycott and more violence
smuggling without evidence. Townshend Acts Townshend
REACTION
Circular Letter - Massachusetts
Written by Samuel Adams and James Otis
Massachusetts Circular Letter of 1768
The House of Representatives of this province, have taken into their serious consideration, the great difficulties that must accrue to themselves and their constituents, by the operation of several acts of Parliament, imposing duties and taxes on the American colonies. As it is a subject in which every colony is deeply interested, they have no reason to doubt but your House is deeply impressed with its importance, and that such constitutional measures will be come into, as are proper. It seems to be necessary, that all possible care should be taken, that the representatives of the several assemblies, upon so delicate a point, should harmonize with each other.
In response to the Massachusetts letter, the British governor of Massachusetts dissolved the state’s legislature. Important People on the Road to Revolution
Person Important Information
Patrick Henry Spoke out against the Stamp Act in the House of Burgesses.
Patriot leader in Massachusetts who helped write Samuel Adams the Circular Letter
British Colonial British Action Reaction Reaction
The Protests Repeal of Stamp such as the Stamp Act boycotts Act
The Mass. Mass. Townsend Circular Legislature Acts Letter is dissolved
The Virginia House of Burgesses responded to the Massachusetts Circular Letter with resolutions of its own against the Townshend Acts.
• When the governor of Virginia learned of the resolutions, he dissolved the House of Burgesses.
• The burgesses, however, moved the meeting to the Raleigh Tavern in Williamsburg.
• They signed a pledge of action that was drafted by George Mason and George Washington and supported by another colonial leader, Thomas Jefferson.
Important People on the Road to Revolution
Person Important Information
Patrick Henry Spoke out against the Stamp Act in the House of Burgesses.
Patriot leader in Massachusetts who helped write Samuel Adams the Circular Letter
. Thomas Patriot leader in Virginia Jefferson REACTION
• Boycott plus more violence
Loyalists Britain repealed most of the Townshend Acts except the Tea Tax in 1770.
Many issues remained including
• the dissolving of colonial legislatures • British troops being sent to Boston
ACTION
Britain sends more troops • By 1770 there were more than 9000 British soldiers in the colonies. • Fights between colonists and soldiers began to break out especially in Boston. • Tensions were rising!