Road to Revolution:“No Taxation without Representation!”

Image: © Richard T. Nowitz/CORBIS

Boston, 1763-1766

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Some terms…

Mercantilism: economic philosophy that says that colonies exist to make the “mother country” wealthy

Representation: Having another person speak for you.

Tariff: A tax on imported goods.

Boycott: To avoid buying a good for a philosophical reason.

Propaganda: Lies told or shown for a political reason.

Laissez-faire: “Leave it alone”

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French and Indian War (1755-1763)

Description:

How it led to the revolution:

•Who? English & their (Native American) friends vs French & their (Native American) friends•Who won? English

•What did they get? Canada & all lands E. of Mississippi

•1. Trained early colonial leaders in colonial warfare.

•2. Led to 140 m £ English debt

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Pontiac’s Rebellion (1763-1766)

Description:

How it led to the revolution:

•Why? Colonists settled east of Appalachian mountains

•What? Pontiac led a series of very successful surprise attacks on English forts (destroys 8)

•To avoid similar fights, English pass Proclamation of 1763

•Image: © Bettmann/CORBIS

•This limited colonial settlement west of the Appalachians

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Proclamation of 1763Description:

How it led to the revolution:

•What? Established a line across the Appalachians where colonists could not move (to prevent violence)

•Convinced colonists that the British were less concerned about colonies than money

Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Map_of_territorial_growth_1775.jpg

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Sugar Act of 1764Description:

How it led to the revolution:

•What? Halved tariff on foreign-made molasses (to cut down on smuggling),

•Trials by a military court rather than colonial (no jury)

•Colonists though that the English were violating their rights (no taxation without representation)

http://www.grandmasmolasses.com/grandmas/grandmas_products.asp

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Stamp Act of 1765Description:

How it led to the revolution:

•What? Direct tax on all paper goods (ex. Marriage license)

•Colonists begin to see a differencebetween their interests and England’s

•Lose respect for government officials

•Results? Massive protests by colonists (English ends up losing £ on the tax)

•England repeals the tax (even though its citizens already pay a higher tax!)

Opposition To The Stamp ActThe Stamp Act was an act of taxation imposed on the American Colonies by the British Parliament, seeking greater revenue, which required all legal documents, newspapers, and playing cards to carry a tax stamp. The Pennsylvania Journal and Advertiser sarcastically suggests affixing this Death's Head stamp to imported goods.Image: © Bettmann/CORBIS

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Townshend Acts of 1766Description:

How it led to the revolution:

•What? Indirect tax on glass, lead, paint, paper, and tea

•Resentment against troops stationed in Boston

•Results? Protests & boycotts

•A raid seized a shipload of stuff on John Hancock’s boat, which led to riots, which led to 4,000 troops being stationed in Boston

Cup of coffee with sugar cubesImage: Images.com/CORBIS

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Boston MassacreDescription:

How it led to the revolution:

•What? British troops shoot into a mob of angry Americans

•1st man to die was Crispus Attucks, a black man

•Becomes an opportunity for Colonial propaganda

•Paul Revere’s cartoon convinces people that the English are evil!

Print of British Troops Shooting at Crowd in Boston Massacre by Paul RevereImage: © Bettmann/CORBISCreator Name: Paul RevereDate Created: ca. 1770

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The British View:

Pay What You Owe!

The Colonial View:

No Taxation without

Representation!

But who is correct?