ROAD TO REVOLUTION FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR
French basically kicked out of New World Spain kicked out of Florida and has territory west of the Mississippi England owns everything east of Mississippi, full ownership of land, head honcho in East India Trading Company- as well as slave trade
England also poor due to war…… ALBANY PLAN
Albany Plan of Union - planned united defense with the Iroquois to help against the French Proposed by Benjamin Franklin Called for Grand Council w/ reps from each colony For laws, taxes and defense Rejected by colonial assemblies Albany Plan was significant because it was the first attempt to unite the colonies TAXATION
In an effort to reduce Britain’s debt and pay for the British troops in North America, George Grenville, the British prime minister and first lord of the Treasury, implemented new tax policies in the colonies:
Sugar Act- April 1764
Stamp Act- March 1765
Quartering Act- May 1765
Declaratory Act- March 1766
Townsend Acts- June 1767
Tea Act- May 1773
Intolerable Acts- May 1774 SUGAR ACT 1764
The first attempt to finance the defense of the colonies by the British Government. Tax on foreign sugar, coffee, indigo, French wines, rum These taxes affected only a certain part of the population, but the affected merchants were very vocal. Taxes were implemented without the consent of colonists- colonists vocalizing that they want a say in their taxes STAMP ACT 1765
Every newspaper, pamphlet, and other public and legal document had to have a Stamp, or British seal, on it This STAMP of course cost money- British money, they would not accept colonial money There was a HOSTILE reaction in the colonies- tax collectors were quitting their jobs, the stamped money was being burned in the street, boycotting all British goods THE STAMP ACT CONGRESS
NO TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION Representatives sent to New York to vote on whether or not Parliament has authority to pass taxes on colonies Stamp Act repealed in 1766 SONS OF LIBERTY
Protested British taxes- formed over Stamp Act Would intimidate tax collectors to quit their jobs Members include: Samuel Adams, John Adams, Paul Revere Most famous event: Boston Tea Party Daughters of liberty- women refused to drink British tea, only wore homemade clothes- impacted the British textile business QUARTERING ACT 1765
Quartering Act passed so soldiers could stay in houses of people whom they just defended in war Soldiers who fought in the French and Indian War now had nowhere to stay Parliament was asked to help, but had no money to provide housing Colonists were not happy about being forced to house these men, so they refused Parliament passed New York Restraining Act which stopped the governor from signing further legislation until they followed orders Complied by housing them in public places, not private homes Forces stayed until Washington forced them out in 1776 DECLARATORY ACT 1766
Passed when Stamp Act was repealed- to ensure they were allowed to pass laws in the colonies Parliament has authority to pass laws in America, same authority they have as in England TOWNSEND ACTS 1767
British made these laws to help pay for various government decisions. Also didn’t think the colonists would be upset after they repealed the Stamp Act. New taxes on imports of paper, paint, lead, glass, and tea. Established an American Customs Board in Boston to collect taxes. Set up new courts in America to prosecute smugglers (without using a local jury). Gave British officials the right to search colonists' houses and businesses
British clearly not understanding the concept of no taxation without representation. Pushing closer and closer to revolution BOSTON MASSACRE 1770
Colonists gather and start harassing the Red Coats in front of Custom House in Boston
Crowd begins to grow, angered at seeing the British with their weapons, taunt them
Something was thrown from the crowd (or a shot was fired) and out of defense, the soldiers fired on the crowd
Three die at the scene, two die later- total of five (massacre?)
Trial is set for soldiers, no lawyer wants to represent them- John Adams mans up- everyone deserves a fair trial
Argues self defense, six are let go, two charged with manslaughter TEA ACT 1773
British passed to save the East India Trading Company Colonist could buy tea from no one but the East India Trading Company
Response? BOSTON TEA PARTY 1773
Colonists boarded three trading ships in Boston Harbor and threw 342 chests (90,000 lbs.= $1 million in todays money) of tea into the ocean as a protest to the taxes Tea being a major import of the East India Trading Company, dumping hundreds of chests into the ocean would hurt them financially INTOLERABLE ACTS 1774
Colonists could not ‘tolerate’ such unfair laws (punishment for Tea Party) Boston Port Act- port closed until all tea paid for Massachusetts Government Act- more power to governor, less to colonists. One town meeting a year. Scary to colonists, possibility of this happening at all colonies Administration of Justice Act- capital trails against government officials could be moved to Great Britain- more protection Quartering Act Quebec Act- Canadian territory extended to Ohio
Colonists angered, united under unfairness of acts, basic rights being violated CONTINENTAL CONGRESS 1774
Delegates from 13 colonies Took two actions:
Wrote letter to King George about their issues, threatened to boycott if no change, he ignored, they boycotted English goods
Made plans to meet again if the British did not end the acts
Important members: John Adams, Patrick Henry, George Washington
Also- Minutemen- ‘to be ready at a minutes notice’- Lexington and Concord
Militias raid military depots for ammunition and gunpowder