“Acts” That Brought Rebellion

The Stamp Act of 1765 - first direct tax on colonies levied by Parliament.

Colonel Isaac Bare (who served as an officer in the colonies), warned [Parliament] against underestimating the Americans:

“Remember I… told you…, that same spirit of freedom which actuated that people at first, will accompany them still...The [American] people are as truly loyal as any subjects the king has, but a people jealous of their liberties and who will vindicate them if ever they should be violated”

Jared Ingersoll’s account of the Parliament debate

on the Stamp Act, 11 February 1765.

“The passage of the Stamp Act transformed American opposition to British policies [because] it… produced at least a surface unity among the colonies, for almost every political leader, whatever his political principles, was opposed [to it].”

(Merrill Jensen, The Founding of a Nation).

The cartoon appeared along a Ben Franklin editorial about the "disunited state" of the colonies, and helped make his point about the importance of colonial unity. It was used twice – once when Franklin called the Albany Conference on defending Colonies vs. Indians and again when the Stamp Act Congress convened.

Colonists Unite to ProtestColonists Unite to Protest

Stamp Act Congress – October, 1765Stamp Act Congress – October, 1765

• New York City meeting of delegates from 9 coloniesNew York City meeting of delegates from 9 colonies

• Declaration of Rights and Grievances Declaration of Rights and Grievances Parliaments had no right to tax w/o representationParliaments had no right to tax w/o representation

• Shows AGAIN that colonists can unite for rightsShows AGAIN that colonists can unite for rights

Great Britain says “Great Britain says “Virtual RepresentationVirtual Representation” allows taxes.” allows taxes.

Parliament exists for the benefit of all English citizens!Parliament exists for the benefit of all English citizens!

Colonists Unite to ProtestColonists Unite to ProtestSons of LibertySons of Liberty

New York and Boston “sons” harass Stamp Agents New York and Boston “sons” harass Stamp Agents

Some use violence Some use violence

Create “Committees of Correspondence”Create “Committees of Correspondence”

Colonial MerchantsColonial Merchants

Philadelphia, New York, and Boston refuse importsPhiladelphia, New York, and Boston refuse imports

British merchants suffer business losses British merchants suffer business losses

Colonial Pressure causes the repeal of the Stamp Act, Colonial Pressure causes the repeal of the Stamp Act,

but on the same day it passes…but on the same day it passes…

Declaratory Act Establishes England’s authority to tax

Townshend Acts-Replaced Stamp Act

-Indirect, but still affecteddaily life.

-Glass, Lead, Paint, Paper and tea.-Smuggling continued John Hancock’s “Liberty” is confiscated for smuggling wine.

George TownshendAnother New Prime Minister!

4000 British occupy Boston.

Take jobs in “off time”.

Colonials now in a recession with less being spent after the French & Indian War.

Resent Brits taking jobs, living in their homes** and having to pay taxes on more and more personal items.

Tensions were high…

Tea Act- 3 Pence Tax on tea

- Gave British East India Co. the right to sell tea direct!

- Cuts out Colonial tea merchants!

- Boston Tea Party -

Intolerable Acts-Closed Boston Harbor-Quartering Act-Martial Law – Curfews, Control

First Continental CongressFirst Continental Congress

Intolerable Acts Intolerable Acts

Intended to Isolate Massachusetts Intended to Isolate Massachusetts Colonials respond by meeting to discuss response.Colonials respond by meeting to discuss response.

• September 1774 – 54 DelegatesSeptember 1774 – 54 Delegates

• Declaration of Colonial Rights – Support ProtestsDeclaration of Colonial Rights – Support Protests

• Decide to fight back if attackedDecide to fight back if attackedStockpile gunpowder and firearms at ConcordStockpile gunpowder and firearms at Concord

The American Revolution Had Begun