1 World Trade Center, the “Freedom Tower”, was completed this summer, becoming the USA’s

tallest building. How tall?

1776 feet. Why?

Please have your “RAFT” homework out…• 350 word letter to friend in France– 5 accurate facts about life in the colony you live in

at around 1750• (notes on regions, text ch. 2 & 3, regional summaries on

my website)

– 2 rights colonists had– The source of those rights – Why they are important• (notes on “Sources of American Rights”, textbook ch. 2

& 3, “source” descriptions on my website)

– Extra credit- picture– Due Monday; 2 pts. If in tomorrow

Today’s key historical question:Why were the colonists upset about the Stamp Act?

• The Stamp Act was passed by Parliament on March 22, 1765 with an effective date of November 1, 1765

Ben Franklin cartoon, Pennsylvania Gazette, May 9, 1754

• What does the snake symbolize?

• Why a snake?• What do the

labels signify?• What is the

message of this cartoon?

Impact of the French and Indian War 1754-1763(French & Indians vs. colonists & British army)

Problems for England after French and Indian War (1754- 1763)…

• British debt is doubled after expensive war…• Territory under its control is expanded– 10,000 more troops needed to control Native

Americans and former French subjects• Pontiac’s Rebellion- Natives in Ohio River Valley

rebellingWhat should Britain do?

Proclamation of 1763

• Colonists barred from moving into area west of the Appalachians

George Grenville- appointed Prime Minister

• Decides to tax colonies– American colonists on

average are 20% richer, but pay about ¼ of the taxes as British citizens

Sugar Act- 1764• Purpose: tax on imported molasses • Effect: tougher enforcement of colonial

smuggling (no more SALUTARY NEGLECT)• Smugglers tried in vice-admiralty court rather

than colonial courts

Stamp Act

• passed by Parliament on March 22, 1765 with an effective date of November 1, 1765

• A small tax on legal documents, licenses, magazines, pamphlets, almanacs, playing cards, newspapers and many other types of paper used throughout the colonies– 1st INTERNAL TAX

• Colonists who disobeyed tried in vice-admiralty courts

Sons of Liberty-Violent resistance• Sons of Liberty– Leaders of protests– Sam Adams leads in Boston– Some violent intimidation

• Mobs riot in cities• Tax collectors harassed, threatened• August 1765- stamp collectors office torn down; house

damaged• October 1765- Governor Hutchinson’s house burnt down• By November 1, the day the tax was to go into effect,

there was not a single stamp left in the colonies to collect the tax

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFWZ925zK0A

Key Question:

• WHY WERE THE COLONISTS UPSET ABOUT THE STAMP ACT?

• READING LIKE A HISTORIAN:– WHAT DO THE DOCS SAY?

• Always SOURCE the document first

• CONTEXTUALIZATION- What were people thinking/ saying AT THAT TIME?

• Close Reading- what claims does the author make?

Sourcing Questions:What newspaper does this come from? What would you predict the author’s perspective will be on the Stamp Act?

Context Questions:What happened in Boston? Why is the author surprised? Who reads the newspapers, according to the author? According to this document, why were colonists upset about the Stamp Act?

CORROBORATING: Looking at all 3….

• WHY WERE THE COLONISTS UPSET ABOUT THE STAMP ACT?

• Was the Stamp Act unreasonable or unfair?

• Were the British violating colonists’ rights? If yes, how so?

• How were the colonists behaving in response?

• Some historians argue that the American Revolution happened because a few rich leaders riled up all the poor people. Do these documents provide evidence for this argument? Is that evidence believable?

• Why do the colonists see the Stamp Act as a violation of their rights?