UNRESTUNRESTMoving Towards RevolutionMoving Towards Revolution

17641764• Sugar Act: Parliament, desiring revenue Sugar Act: Parliament, desiring revenue

from its North American colonies, from its North American colonies, passed the first law specifically aimed passed the first law specifically aimed at raising colonial money for the Crown. at raising colonial money for the Crown.

• The act increased duties on non-British The act increased duties on non-British goods shipped to the colonies. goods shipped to the colonies.

17641764• Currency Act: This act prohibited Currency Act: This act prohibited

American colonies from issuing their American colonies from issuing their own currency, angering many American own currency, angering many American colonists.colonists.

17641764• -Beginnings of Colonial Opposition: -Beginnings of Colonial Opposition:

American colonists responded to the American colonists responded to the Sugar Act and the Currency Act with Sugar Act and the Currency Act with protest. protest.

• In MA, participants in a town meeting In MA, participants in a town meeting cried out against taxation without proper cried out against taxation without proper representation in Parliament, and representation in Parliament, and suggested some form of united protest suggested some form of united protest throughout the colonies. throughout the colonies.

• By the end of the year, many colonies By the end of the year, many colonies were practicing non-importation, a were practicing non-importation, a refusal to use imported English goods.refusal to use imported English goods.

17651765• Quartering Act: The British further Quartering Act: The British further

angered American colonists with the angered American colonists with the Quartering Act, which required the Quartering Act, which required the colonies to provide barracks and colonies to provide barracks and supplies to British troops. supplies to British troops.

17651765• Stamp Act. Parliament's first direct Stamp Act. Parliament's first direct

tax on the American colonies, this tax on the American colonies, this act, like those passed in 1764, was act, like those passed in 1764, was enacted to raise money for Britain. enacted to raise money for Britain.

• It taxed newspapers, almanacs, It taxed newspapers, almanacs, pamphlets, broadsides, legal pamphlets, broadsides, legal documents, dice, and playing cards. documents, dice, and playing cards. Issued by Britain, the stamps were Issued by Britain, the stamps were affixed to documents or packages to affixed to documents or packages to show that the tax had been paid.show that the tax had been paid.

17651765• Organized Colonial Protest. American Organized Colonial Protest. American

colonists responded to Parliament's acts colonists responded to Parliament's acts with organized protest. Throughout the with organized protest. Throughout the colonies, a network of secret organizations colonies, a network of secret organizations known as the Sons of Liberty was created, known as the Sons of Liberty was created, aimed at intimidating the stamp agents aimed at intimidating the stamp agents who collected Parliament's taxes. who collected Parliament's taxes.

• Before the Stamp Act could even take Before the Stamp Act could even take effect, all the appointed stamp agents in effect, all the appointed stamp agents in the colonies had resigned.the colonies had resigned.

17651765• The Massachusetts Assembly The Massachusetts Assembly

suggested a meeting of all the colonies suggested a meeting of all the colonies to work for the repeal of the Stamp to work for the repeal of the Stamp Act. All but four colonies were Act. All but four colonies were represented. represented.

• The Stamp Act Congress passed a The Stamp Act Congress passed a "Declaration of Rights and Grievances," "Declaration of Rights and Grievances," which claimed that American colonists which claimed that American colonists were equal to all other British citizens, were equal to all other British citizens, protested taxation without protested taxation without representation, and stated that, representation, and stated that, without colonial representation in without colonial representation in Parliament, Parliament could not tax Parliament, Parliament could not tax colonists. colonists.

17661766• Repeal of the Stamp Act. Although some Repeal of the Stamp Act. Although some

in Parliament thought the army should in Parliament thought the army should be used to enforce the Stamp Act be used to enforce the Stamp Act (1765), others commended the colonists (1765), others commended the colonists for resisting a tax passed by a for resisting a tax passed by a legislative body in which they were not legislative body in which they were not represented. represented.

• The act was repealed, and the colonies The act was repealed, and the colonies abandoned their ban on imported abandoned their ban on imported British goods.British goods.

17661766• Declaratory Act. The repeal of the Declaratory Act. The repeal of the

Stamp Act did not mean that Great Stamp Act did not mean that Great Britain was surrendering any control Britain was surrendering any control over its colonies. over its colonies.

• The Declaratory Act, passed by The Declaratory Act, passed by Parliament on the same day the Stamp Parliament on the same day the Stamp Act was repealed, stated that Act was repealed, stated that Parliament could make laws binding the Parliament could make laws binding the American colonies "in all cases American colonies "in all cases whatsoever."whatsoever."

17671767• Townshend Acts: To help pay the Townshend Acts: To help pay the

expenses involved in governing the expenses involved in governing the American colonies, Parliament passed American colonies, Parliament passed the Townshend Acts, which initiated the Townshend Acts, which initiated taxes on glass, lead, paint, paper, and taxes on glass, lead, paint, paper, and tea.tea.

• This was an EXTERNAL taxThis was an EXTERNAL tax

17671767• Non-importation: In response to new Non-importation: In response to new

taxes, the colonies again decided to taxes, the colonies again decided to discourage the purchase of British discourage the purchase of British imports.imports.

17671767• "Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania "Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania

to the Inhabitants of the British to the Inhabitants of the British Colonies." Colonies."

• Originally published in a newspaper, Originally published in a newspaper, this widely reproduced pamphlet by this widely reproduced pamphlet by John Dickinson declared that Parliament John Dickinson declared that Parliament could not tax the colonies, called the could not tax the colonies, called the Townshend Acts unconstitutional, and Townshend Acts unconstitutional, and denounced the suspension of the New denounced the suspension of the New York Assembly as a threat to colonial York Assembly as a threat to colonial liberties.liberties.

17681768• Massachusetts Circular Letter: Samuel Massachusetts Circular Letter: Samuel

Adams wrote a statement, approved by Adams wrote a statement, approved by the Massachusetts House of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, which attacked Representatives, which attacked Parliament's persistence in taxing the Parliament's persistence in taxing the colonies without proper colonies without proper representation, and which called for representation, and which called for unified resistance by all the colonies. unified resistance by all the colonies.

• Many colonies issued similar Many colonies issued similar statements.statements.

17691769• Virginia's Resolutions: The Virginia Virginia's Resolutions: The Virginia

House of Burgesses passed House of Burgesses passed resolutions condemning Britain's resolutions condemning Britain's actions against Massachusetts, and actions against Massachusetts, and stating that only Virginia's governor stating that only Virginia's governor and legislature could tax its citizens. and legislature could tax its citizens.

• The members also drafted a formal The members also drafted a formal letter to the King, completing it just letter to the King, completing it just before the legislature was dissolved before the legislature was dissolved by Virginia's royal governor.by Virginia's royal governor.

17701770• Townshend Acts Cut Back: Because of Townshend Acts Cut Back: Because of

the reduced profits resulting from the the reduced profits resulting from the colonial colonial ““boycottboycott”” of imported British of imported British goods, Parliament withdrew all of the goods, Parliament withdrew all of the Townshend Act (1767) taxes except for Townshend Act (1767) taxes except for the tax on tea.the tax on tea.

17701770• An End to Non-importation. In response An End to Non-importation. In response

to Parliament's relaxation of its to Parliament's relaxation of its taxation laws, the colonies relaxed their taxation laws, the colonies relaxed their ““boycottboycott”” of British imported goods of British imported goods (1767).(1767).

17701770• Conflict between Citizens and British Conflict between Citizens and British

Troops in New York: After a leading New Troops in New York: After a leading New York Son of Liberty issued a broadside York Son of Liberty issued a broadside attacking the New York Assembly for attacking the New York Assembly for complying with the Quartering Act complying with the Quartering Act (1765), a riot erupted between citizens (1765), a riot erupted between citizens and soldiers, resulting in serious and soldiers, resulting in serious wounds but no fatalities.wounds but no fatalities.

17701770• Boston Massacre. The arrival of troops Boston Massacre. The arrival of troops

in Boston provoked conflict between in Boston provoked conflict between citizens and soldiers. On March 5, a citizens and soldiers. On March 5, a group of soldiers surrounded by an group of soldiers surrounded by an unfriendly crowd opened fire, killing unfriendly crowd opened fire, killing three Americans and critically three Americans and critically wounding two more. wounding two more.

• A violent uprising was avoided only A violent uprising was avoided only with the withdrawal of the troops to with the withdrawal of the troops to islands in the harbor. The soldiers islands in the harbor. The soldiers were tried for murder, but convicted were tried for murder, but convicted only of lesser crimes; noted patriot only of lesser crimes; noted patriot John Adams was their principal lawyer.John Adams was their principal lawyer.

17711771• Uhhh…Uhhh…

17711771• I am sure it was a good year, but not I am sure it was a good year, but not

much happened that I want to discuss much happened that I want to discuss here…here…

17721772• Committees of Correspondence: Samuel Committees of Correspondence: Samuel

Adams called for a Boston town meeting Adams called for a Boston town meeting to create committees of correspondence to create committees of correspondence to communicate Boston's position to the to communicate Boston's position to the other colonies. other colonies.

• Similar committees were soon created Similar committees were soon created throughout the colonies.throughout the colonies.

17731773• Tea Act: By reducing the tax on Tea Act: By reducing the tax on

imported British tea, this act gave imported British tea, this act gave British merchants an unfair advantage British merchants an unfair advantage in selling their tea in America. in selling their tea in America.

• American colonists condemned the act, American colonists condemned the act, and many planned to boycott tea.and many planned to boycott tea.

17731773• Boston Tea Party: When British tea Boston Tea Party: When British tea

ships arrived in Boston harbor, many ships arrived in Boston harbor, many citizens wanted the tea sent back to citizens wanted the tea sent back to England without the payment of any England without the payment of any taxes. taxes.

• The royal governor insisted on payment The royal governor insisted on payment of all taxes. of all taxes.

• On December 16, a group of men On December 16, a group of men disguised as Indians boarded the ships disguised as Indians boarded the ships and dumped all the tea in the harbor.and dumped all the tea in the harbor.

17741774• Coercive Acts (aka Intolerable Acts) Coercive Acts (aka Intolerable Acts)

• In response to the Boston Tea Party, In response to the Boston Tea Party, Parliament passed several acts to punish Parliament passed several acts to punish Massachusetts. Massachusetts.

• The Boston Port Bill banned the loading or The Boston Port Bill banned the loading or unloading of any ships in Boston harbor. unloading of any ships in Boston harbor.

• The Administration of Justice Act offered The Administration of Justice Act offered protection to royal officials in Massachusetts, protection to royal officials in Massachusetts, allowing them to transfer to England all court allowing them to transfer to England all court cases against them involving riot suppression cases against them involving riot suppression or revenue collection. or revenue collection.

17741774• The Massachusetts Government Act put The Massachusetts Government Act put

the election of most government the election of most government officials under the control of the Crown, officials under the control of the Crown, essentially eliminating the essentially eliminating the Massachusetts charter of government.Massachusetts charter of government.

17741774• The Colonies Organize Protest: To The Colonies Organize Protest: To

protest Britain's actions, Massachusetts protest Britain's actions, Massachusetts suggested a return to non-importation, suggested a return to non-importation, but several states preferred a congress but several states preferred a congress of all the colonies to discuss united of all the colonies to discuss united resistance. resistance.

• The colonies soon named delegates to a The colonies soon named delegates to a congress -- the First Continental congress -- the First Continental Congress -- to meet in Philadelphia on Congress -- to meet in Philadelphia on September 5.September 5.

17741774• The First Continental Congress: Twelve The First Continental Congress: Twelve

of the thirteen colonies sent a total of of the thirteen colonies sent a total of fifty-six delegates to the First fifty-six delegates to the First Continental Congress. Continental Congress.

• Only Georgia was not represented. One Only Georgia was not represented. One accomplishment of the Congress was accomplishment of the Congress was the Association of 1774, which urged the Association of 1774, which urged all colonists to avoid using British all colonists to avoid using British goods, and to form committees to goods, and to form committees to enforce this ban.enforce this ban.

17741774• New England Prepares for War. British New England Prepares for War. British

troops began to fortify Boston, and seized troops began to fortify Boston, and seized ammunition belonging to the colony of ammunition belonging to the colony of Massachusetts. Massachusetts.

• Thousands of American militiamen were Thousands of American militiamen were ready to resist, but no fighting occurred. ready to resist, but no fighting occurred. Massachusetts created a Provincial Massachusetts created a Provincial Congress, and a special Committee of Congress, and a special Committee of Safety to decide when the militia should be Safety to decide when the militia should be called into action. called into action.

• Special groups of militia, known as Minute Special groups of militia, known as Minute Men, were organized to be ready for instant Men, were organized to be ready for instant action.action.

1775: you could 1775: you could call it an call it an

important year!important year!• New England Restraining Act: New England Restraining Act: Parliament passed an act banning trade Parliament passed an act banning trade between the New England colonies and between the New England colonies and any other country besides Great Britain.any other country besides Great Britain.

17751775• New England Resists: British troops New England Resists: British troops

continued to attempt to seize colonial continued to attempt to seize colonial ammunition, but were turned back in ammunition, but were turned back in Massachusetts, without any violence. Massachusetts, without any violence.

• Royal authorities decided that force Royal authorities decided that force should be used to enforce recent acts of should be used to enforce recent acts of Parliament; war seemed unavoidable.Parliament; war seemed unavoidable.

17751775• Lexington and Concord: British troops Lexington and Concord: British troops

planned to destroy American planned to destroy American ammunition at Concord. ammunition at Concord.

• When the Boston Committee of Safety When the Boston Committee of Safety learned of this plan, it sent Paul Revere learned of this plan, it sent Paul Revere and William Dawes to alert the and William Dawes to alert the countryside and gather the Minute Men.countryside and gather the Minute Men.

17751775• On April 19, Minute Men and British troops On April 19, Minute Men and British troops

met at Lexington, where a shot from a stray met at Lexington, where a shot from a stray British gun led to more British firing. British gun led to more British firing.

• The Americans only fired a few shots; The Americans only fired a few shots; several Americans were killed. several Americans were killed.

• The British marched on to Concord and The British marched on to Concord and destroyed some ammunition, but soon found destroyed some ammunition, but soon found the countryside swarming with militia. the countryside swarming with militia.

• At the end of the day, many were dead on At the end of the day, many were dead on both sides.both sides.

17751775• The Second Continental Congress: The The Second Continental Congress: The

Second Continental Congress convened Second Continental Congress convened in Philadelphia on May 10. John Hancock in Philadelphia on May 10. John Hancock was elected president of Congress.was elected president of Congress.

17751775• George Washington is named George Washington is named

commander-in-chief. On June 10, John commander-in-chief. On June 10, John Adams proposed that Congress consider Adams proposed that Congress consider the forces in Boston a Continental army, the forces in Boston a Continental army, and suggested the need for a general. and suggested the need for a general.

• He recommended George Washington He recommended George Washington for the position. for the position.

• Congress began to raise men from other Congress began to raise men from other colonies to join the army in New colonies to join the army in New England, and named a committee to England, and named a committee to draft military rules. draft military rules.

17751775• On June 15, Washington was nominated On June 15, Washington was nominated

to lead the army; he accepted the next to lead the army; he accepted the next day. day.

• To pay for the army, Congress issued To pay for the army, Congress issued bills of credit, and the twelve colonies bills of credit, and the twelve colonies represented in the Congress promised represented in the Congress promised to share in repaying the bills.to share in repaying the bills.

17751775• Bunker Hill. On June 12, British General Bunker Hill. On June 12, British General

Gage put martial law in effect, and Gage put martial law in effect, and stated that any person helping the stated that any person helping the Americans would be considered a traitor Americans would be considered a traitor and rebel. and rebel.

• When Americans began to fortify a hill When Americans began to fortify a hill against British forces, British ships in against British forces, British ships in the harbor discovered the activity and the harbor discovered the activity and opened fire. British troops -- 2,400 in opened fire. British troops -- 2,400 in number -- arrived shortly after. number -- arrived shortly after.

• Although the Americans -- 1,000 in Although the Americans -- 1,000 in number -- resisted several attacks, number -- resisted several attacks, eventually they lost the fortification.eventually they lost the fortification.

17751775• Olive Branch Petition. Congress issued a Olive Branch Petition. Congress issued a

petition declaring its loyalty to the king, petition declaring its loyalty to the king, George III, and stating its hope that he George III, and stating its hope that he would help arrange a reconciliation and would help arrange a reconciliation and prevent further hostilities against the prevent further hostilities against the colonies. colonies.

• Four months later, King George III Four months later, King George III rejected the petition and declared the rejected the petition and declared the colonies in rebellion.colonies in rebellion.

17751775• Congress Treaties with the Indians: Congress Treaties with the Indians:

Acting as an independent government, Acting as an independent government, Congress appointed commissioners to Congress appointed commissioners to create peace treaties with the Indians.create peace treaties with the Indians.

17751775• Congress Creates a Navy. Congress Congress Creates a Navy. Congress

began to plan for aggressive action began to plan for aggressive action against British ships stocked with against British ships stocked with ammunition. ammunition.

• It authorized the building of four armed It authorized the building of four armed ships, and began to formulate rules for a ships, and began to formulate rules for a navy. navy.

• On December 22, Congress named Esek On December 22, Congress named Esek Hopkins commodore of the fledgling Hopkins commodore of the fledgling American navy. American navy.

• Soon after, Congress authorized Soon after, Congress authorized privateering, and issued rules for privateering, and issued rules for dealing with enemy vessels and plunder.dealing with enemy vessels and plunder.

17751775• Congress Searches for Foreign Aid: Congress Searches for Foreign Aid:

When a congressional committee began When a congressional committee began to investigate the possibility of foreign to investigate the possibility of foreign aid in the war against Great Britain, aid in the war against Great Britain, France expressed interest.France expressed interest.