1764
The Sugar Act
The British government passed the Sugar Act in 1764. The Sugar Act put a tax on sugar and other goods coming into the colonies from other places. It angered many colonists. Many colonists stopped supporting the British government. Patriots, as these colonists were called, claimed they had no voice when Parliament decided this new law. They protested that King George and Parliament had taxed the colonists without their consent, or agreement. Many felt this violated their rights as British citizens. Some colonists sent letters of protest to Britain. By the end of the year, many colonies were practicing nonimportation, a refusal to use English goods brought into the colonies.
The Sugar Act
The British government passed the Sugar Act in 1764. The Sugar Act put a tax on sugar and other goods coming into the colonies from other places. It angered many colonists. Many colonists stopped supporting the British government. Patriots, as these colonists were called, claimed they had no voice when Parliament decided this new law. They protested that King George and Parliament had taxed the colonists without their consent, or agreement. Many felt this violated their rights as British citizens. Some colonists sent letters of protest to Britain. By the end of the year, many colonies were practicing nonimportation, a refusal to use English goods brought into the colonies.
1765
Quartering Act
In March of 1765, Parliament passed another act called the Quartering Act. This act required colonists to quarter (provide shelter and supplies) to British soldiers. Britain had many soldiers in the colonies and it was hoped the Quartering Act would help pay for these soldiers and save the British government money. This angered the Patriots who felt the soldiers were only being placed in their homes to punish them for not supporting the British government.
However, there were colonists who supported the the British government and approved of the Quartering Act. The British soldiers were sent to protect the colonies, so it made sense to help. Loyalists, as these colonists were referred to, supported the British government, including the new laws that were effecting the colonists.
Quartering Act
In March of 1765, Parliament passed another act called the Quartering Act. This act required colonists to quarter (provide shelter and supplies) to British soldiers. Britain had many soldiers in the colonies and it was hoped the Quartering Act would help pay for these soldiers and save the British government money. This angered the Patriots who felt the soldiers were only being placed in their homes to punish them for not supporting the British government.
However, there were colonists who supported the the British government and approved of the Quartering Act. The British soldiers were sent to protect the colonies, so it made sense to help. Loyalists, as these colonists were referred to, supported the British government, including the new laws that were effecting the colonists.
1765
The Stamp Act
The British government, still working to recover from the debt from the war, 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 did not support Parliament's new laws and 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, still working to recover from the debt from the war, 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 did not support Parliament's new laws and 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 penalized New York’s assembly for refusing to comply with the Quartering Act. The assembly was to remain suspended until people agreed to provide housing for British troops in New York. 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 for 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 penalized New York’s assembly for refusing to comply with the Quartering Act. The assembly was to remain suspended until people agreed to provide housing for British troops in New York. 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 for 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. Patriots 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. Patriots 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 over the Patriots. By 1770, there were more than 9000 British soldiers in the colonies. Patriots had names for the British soldiers that included “lobsterbacks” and “redcoats.” The British 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.
Information courtesy of NISD Elementary Social Studies Dept.http://www.ushistory.org/us/13c.asp
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 over the Patriots. By 1770, there were more than 9000 British soldiers in the colonies. Patriots had names for the British soldiers that included “lobsterbacks” and “redcoats.” The British 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.
Information courtesy of NISD Elementary Social Studies Dept.http://www.ushistory.org/us/13c.asp