1764
The Sugar Act
The British government passed the Sugar Act in 1764. The Sugar Act placed a tax on sugar, wine and other goods. In addition, products coming into the colonies from other places were also taxed. Colonists claimed they could sell their products to other countries for more money. Many colonists felt this new law violated their rights as British citizens. Some colonists sent letters of protest to Britain. By the end of the year, some colonies were practicing nonimportation, a refusal to use imported English goods. Even though this law angered many colonists, Loyalists supported the Sugar Act since selling their goods to England would help bring in more money to the British government.
The Sugar Act
The British government passed the Sugar Act in 1764. The Sugar Act placed a tax on sugar, wine and other goods. In addition, products coming into the colonies from other places were also taxed. Colonists claimed they could sell their products to other countries for more money. Many colonists felt this new law violated their rights as British citizens. Some colonists sent letters of protest to Britain. By the end of the year, some colonies were practicing nonimportation, a refusal to use imported English goods. Even though this law angered many colonists, Loyalists supported the Sugar Act since selling their goods to England would help bring in more money to the British government.
1765
Quartering Act
In March of 1765, as a means to save the government money, Parliament passed the Quartering Act. This act required colonists to quarter (provide shelter and supplies) to British soldiers. Loyalists supported this act since the British soldiers were there to protect the colonies. However, many colonist did not support the Quartering Act and refused to house the soldiers.
Quartering Act
In March of 1765, as a means to save the government money, Parliament passed the Quartering Act. This act required colonists to quarter (provide shelter and supplies) to British soldiers. Loyalists supported this act since the British soldiers were there to protect the colonies. However, many colonist did not support the Quartering Act and refused to house the soldiers.
1765
The Stamp Act
The British government then decided to generate money by passing the Stamp Act on March 22, 1765. This law imposed a tax on all kinds of paper goods used in the colonies including newspapers, legal documents, licenses, and even playing cards. It affected almost all colonists in some fashion.
The Stamp Act, was not only a means for Parliament to raise money, but also a means to show the colonists that the British government has supreme rule over the colonies. The tax on the Stamp was not very expensive, but this law angered many colonists. This was the first time Parliament did not work with, or get approval from, the local governments within the colonies on a law like this. People who were suspected of violating the Stamp Act were to be tried in special courts that had no juries.
Most colonists believed they could do nothing but complain about the stamps and buy them until the Virginia House of Burgesses, Virginia's local government, adopted a Stamp Act Resolves. This stated that Americans possessed the same rights as the British, especially the right to be taxed only by their own representatives and stated Virginians would not pay any taxes that did not come from their local government.
Groups of Patriots, who did not support the British government and their new laws began to protest. For example, in Boston, an effigy, (a type of dummy) was made to look like a stamp commissioner and hung in a tree. Later a group gathered shouting “Liberty, property, and no stamps.” They took the effigy and burned it near the commissioner’s home.
The Sons of Liberty was a network of secret organizations formed to protest the Stamp Act. They began in New York and Massachusetts and then spread to other colonies. Samuel Adams was a leader in the Massachusetts group. These Patriots staged protests, but not all of the protests were peaceful. Sometimes customs officials were attacked.
The British government met to discuss the issue of colonial protest. Benjamin Franklin appeared in front of Parliament and urged Parliament to repeal the Stamp Act. He warned of a possible revolution in the colonies if the Stamp Act was enforced. The colonists had begun to boycott British goods. Since the colonists refused to buy the British products, it began to affect their businesses. So, the British merchants urged Parliament to the repeal of the Stamp Act.
The Stamp Act
The British government then decided to generate money by passing the Stamp Act on March 22, 1765. This law imposed a tax on all kinds of paper goods used in the colonies including newspapers, legal documents, licenses, and even playing cards. It affected almost all colonists in some fashion.
The Stamp Act, was not only a means for Parliament to raise money, but also a means to show the colonists that the British government has supreme rule over the colonies. The tax on the Stamp was not very expensive, but this law angered many colonists. This was the first time Parliament did not work with, or get approval from, the local governments within the colonies on a law like this. People who were suspected of violating the Stamp Act were to be tried in special courts that had no juries.
Most colonists believed they could do nothing but complain about the stamps and buy them until the Virginia House of Burgesses, Virginia's local government, adopted a Stamp Act Resolves. This stated that Americans possessed the same rights as the British, especially the right to be taxed only by their own representatives and stated Virginians would not pay any taxes that did not come from their local government.
Groups of Patriots, who did not support the British government and their new laws began to protest. For example, in Boston, an effigy, (a type of dummy) was made to look like a stamp commissioner and hung in a tree. Later a group gathered shouting “Liberty, property, and no stamps.” They took the effigy and burned it near the commissioner’s home.
The Sons of Liberty was a network of secret organizations formed to protest the Stamp Act. They began in New York and Massachusetts and then spread to other colonies. Samuel Adams was a leader in the Massachusetts group. These Patriots staged protests, but not all of the protests were peaceful. Sometimes customs officials were attacked.
The British government met to discuss the issue of colonial protest. Benjamin Franklin appeared in front of Parliament and urged Parliament to repeal the Stamp Act. He warned of a possible revolution in the colonies if the Stamp Act was enforced. The colonists had begun to boycott British goods. Since the colonists refused to buy the British products, it began to affect their businesses. So, the British merchants urged Parliament to the repeal of the Stamp Act.
1767
Townshend Act
In response to Colonial protests, the British government repealed the Stamp Act and introduced the Townshend Acts. The first of these acts punished the colony of New York for refusing to follow the Quartering Act. New York's local government was to remain suspended until people agreed to provide housing for the British troops. The Acts also placed a tax on imports such as paper, tea, glass, lead, and paint. Parliament hoped that the money raised by the taxes would pay the salaries of British governors and other British officials in the colonies. The acts continued to allow for writs of assistance to be used, which allowed British soldiers to freely search the colonists homes for goods that were banned by the Stamp Act.
Townshend Act
In response to Colonial protests, the British government repealed the Stamp Act and introduced the Townshend Acts. The first of these acts punished the colony of New York for refusing to follow the Quartering Act. New York's local government was to remain suspended until people agreed to provide housing for the British troops. The Acts also placed a tax on imports such as paper, tea, glass, lead, and paint. Parliament hoped that the money raised by the taxes would pay the salaries of British governors and other British officials in the colonies. The acts continued to allow for writs of assistance to be used, which allowed British soldiers to freely search the colonists homes for goods that were banned by the Stamp Act.
1768
Massachusetts Circular Letter
The Sugar, Stamp, and Townshend Acts were all passed by the British government without getting approval from the colonies' local government. There was no colony representatives in Parliament when the laws were being passed. However, there were British governors stationed in the colonies to oversee the local governments. Many colonists felt it was an injustice to pay for these taxes without having a voice in the British government. Soon came the battle cry, "No taxation without representation!"
In response to the Townshend Acts, Samuel Adams and James Otis of the Massachusetts legislature drafted a “Circular Letter.” This is the term given to correspondence meant to circulate between the colonies. The Massachusetts Circular letter opposed taxation without representation and called for colonists to unite in their actions. It was sent to assemblies throughout the colonies. Many colonial assemblies then issued similar statements. In response to the Massachusetts Circular letter, the British governor of Massachusetts dissolved the colony’s local government.
Massachusetts Circular Letter
The Sugar, Stamp, and Townshend Acts were all passed by the British government without getting approval from the colonies' local government. There was no colony representatives in Parliament when the laws were being passed. However, there were British governors stationed in the colonies to oversee the local governments. Many colonists felt it was an injustice to pay for these taxes without having a voice in the British government. Soon came the battle cry, "No taxation without representation!"
In response to the Townshend Acts, Samuel Adams and James Otis of the Massachusetts legislature drafted a “Circular Letter.” This is the term given to correspondence meant to circulate between the colonies. The Massachusetts Circular letter opposed taxation without representation and called for colonists to unite in their actions. It was sent to assemblies throughout the colonies. Many colonial assemblies then issued similar statements. In response to the Massachusetts Circular letter, the British governor of Massachusetts dissolved the colony’s local government.
1770
Repeal of the Townshend Acts
Faced with the threat of a boycott, Britain repealed most of the Townshend Acts except the Tea Tax. Many colonial leaders were still angry, however. In Jefferson’s words “Parliament still claimed the right to bind us by their laws in all cases whatsoever.” Other issues included the dissolving of colonial legislatures, British troops being sent to Boston, etc.
Following the repeal of the Townshend Acts, Britain decided to send more soldiers to the colonies in order to show its authority. By 1770, there were more than 9000 British soldiers in the colonies. Colonists had names for the soldiers that included “lobsterbacks” and “redcoats.” Soldiers sometimes responded to the name-calling by destroying colonial property. As a result, tensions began to rise. Fights between colonists and soldiers began to break out especially in Boston.
Repeal of the Townshend Acts
Faced with the threat of a boycott, Britain repealed most of the Townshend Acts except the Tea Tax. Many colonial leaders were still angry, however. In Jefferson’s words “Parliament still claimed the right to bind us by their laws in all cases whatsoever.” Other issues included the dissolving of colonial legislatures, British troops being sent to Boston, etc.
Following the repeal of the Townshend Acts, Britain decided to send more soldiers to the colonies in order to show its authority. By 1770, there were more than 9000 British soldiers in the colonies. Colonists had names for the soldiers that included “lobsterbacks” and “redcoats.” Soldiers sometimes responded to the name-calling by destroying colonial property. As a result, tensions began to rise. Fights between colonists and soldiers began to break out especially in Boston.
Loyalists
During this time period, Loyalists existed across all 13 colonies. For some, they felt comfort under the rule of the British government, and a sense of pride to be apart of the most powerful empire in the world. For others, they remained loyal to the British government simply because they still had family who lived in England. Although they were very committed to the British government, it was a very hard decision to make and to stick to during the Revolution. Loyalists suffered regular harassment, had their property taken, or were subject to personal attacks.
About one-in-six Americans was a Loyalist during the Revolution, and that number may have been higher if the Patriots hadn't been so successful in threatening and punishing people expressed their allegiance to the British government.
Information courtesy of:
NISD Elementary Social Studies Dept.http://www.ushistory.org/us/9b.asp
http://www.ushistory.org/us/13c.asp
During this time period, Loyalists existed across all 13 colonies. For some, they felt comfort under the rule of the British government, and a sense of pride to be apart of the most powerful empire in the world. For others, they remained loyal to the British government simply because they still had family who lived in England. Although they were very committed to the British government, it was a very hard decision to make and to stick to during the Revolution. Loyalists suffered regular harassment, had their property taken, or were subject to personal attacks.
About one-in-six Americans was a Loyalist during the Revolution, and that number may have been higher if the Patriots hadn't been so successful in threatening and punishing people expressed their allegiance to the British government.
Information courtesy of:
NISD Elementary Social Studies Dept.http://www.ushistory.org/us/9b.asp
http://www.ushistory.org/us/13c.asp