2. 17641764
• Sugar Act: Parliament, desiring revenue from itsSugar Act: Parliament, desiring revenue from its
North American colonies, passed the first lawNorth American colonies, passed the first law
specifically aimed at raising colonial money for thespecifically aimed at raising colonial money for the
Crown.Crown.
• The act increased duties on non-British goodsThe act increased duties on non-British goods
shipped to the colonies.shipped to the colonies.
3. 17641764
• Currency Act: This act prohibited American coloniesCurrency Act: This act prohibited American colonies
from issuing their own currency, angering manyfrom issuing their own currency, angering many
American colonists.American colonists.
4. 17641764
• -Beginnings of Colonial Opposition: American-Beginnings of Colonial Opposition: American
colonists responded to the Sugar Act and thecolonists responded to the Sugar Act and the
Currency Act with protest.Currency Act with protest.
• In MA, participants in a town meeting cried outIn MA, participants in a town meeting cried out
against taxation without proper representationagainst taxation without proper representation
in Parliament, and suggested some form ofin Parliament, and suggested some form of
united protest throughout the colonies.united protest throughout the colonies.
• By the end of the year, many colonies wereBy the end of the year, many colonies were
practicing non-importation, a refusal to usepracticing non-importation, a refusal to use
imported English goods.imported English goods.
5. 17651765
• Quartering Act: The British further angered AmericanQuartering Act: The British further angered American
colonists with the Quartering Act, which required thecolonists with the Quartering Act, which required the
colonies to provide barracks and supplies to Britishcolonies to provide barracks and supplies to British
troops.troops.
6. 17651765
• Stamp Act. Parliament's first direct tax on theStamp Act. Parliament's first direct tax on the
American colonies, this act, like those passedAmerican colonies, this act, like those passed
in 1764, was enacted to raise money forin 1764, was enacted to raise money for
Britain.Britain.
• It taxed newspapers, almanacs, pamphlets,It taxed newspapers, almanacs, pamphlets,
broadsides, legal documents, dice, andbroadsides, legal documents, dice, and
playing cards. Issued by Britain, the stampsplaying cards. Issued by Britain, the stamps
were affixed to documents or packages towere affixed to documents or packages to
show that the tax had been paid.show that the tax had been paid.
7.
8.
9. 17651765
• Organized Colonial Protest. American colonistsOrganized Colonial Protest. American colonists
responded to Parliament's acts with organizedresponded to Parliament's acts with organized
protest. Throughout the colonies, a network ofprotest. Throughout the colonies, a network of
secret organizations known as the Sons of Libertysecret organizations known as the Sons of Liberty
was created, aimed at intimidating the stamp agentswas created, aimed at intimidating the stamp agents
who collected Parliament's taxes.who collected Parliament's taxes.
• Before the Stamp Act could even take effect, all theBefore the Stamp Act could even take effect, all the
appointed stamp agents in the colonies had resigned.appointed stamp agents in the colonies had resigned.
• ““Liberty, Property, & No Stamps!”Liberty, Property, & No Stamps!”
14. 17651765
• The Massachusetts Assembly suggested aThe Massachusetts Assembly suggested a
meeting of all the colonies to work for themeeting of all the colonies to work for the
repeal of the Stamp Act. All but four coloniesrepeal of the Stamp Act. All but four colonies
were represented.were represented.
• The Stamp Act Congress passed a "DeclarationThe Stamp Act Congress passed a "Declaration
of Rights and Grievances," which claimed thatof Rights and Grievances," which claimed that
American colonists were equal to all otherAmerican colonists were equal to all other
British citizens, protested taxation withoutBritish citizens, protested taxation without
representation, and stated that, withoutrepresentation, and stated that, without
colonial representation in Parliament,colonial representation in Parliament,
Parliament could not tax colonists.Parliament could not tax colonists.
15. 17651765
John Adams on the Stamp Act:John Adams on the Stamp Act:
It had inspired “the people, even to the lowest ranks,It had inspired “the people, even to the lowest ranks,
to become more attentive to their liberties, moreto become more attentive to their liberties, more
inquisitive about them, and more determined toinquisitive about them, and more determined to
defend them, than they were ever before known.”defend them, than they were ever before known.”
““Our presses have groaned, our pulpits haveOur presses have groaned, our pulpits have
thundered, our legislatures have resolved, our townsthundered, our legislatures have resolved, our towns
have voted.”have voted.”
18. 17661766
• Repeal of the Stamp Act. Although some inRepeal of the Stamp Act. Although some in
Parliament thought the army should be used toParliament thought the army should be used to
enforce the Stamp Act (1765), others commended theenforce the Stamp Act (1765), others commended the
colonists for resisting a tax passed by a legislativecolonists for resisting a tax passed by a legislative
body in which they were not represented.body in which they were not represented.
• The act was repealed, and the colonies abandonedThe act was repealed, and the colonies abandoned
their ban on imported British goods.their ban on imported British goods.
19.
20. 17661766
• Declaratory Act. The repeal of the Stamp Act did notDeclaratory Act. The repeal of the Stamp Act did not
mean that Great Britain was surrendering any controlmean that Great Britain was surrendering any control
over its colonies.over its colonies.
• The Declaratory Act, passed by Parliament on theThe Declaratory Act, passed by Parliament on the
same day the Stamp Act was repealed, stated thatsame day the Stamp Act was repealed, stated that
Parliament could make laws binding the AmericanParliament could make laws binding the American
colonies "in all cases whatsoever."colonies "in all cases whatsoever."
21. 17671767
• Townshend Acts: To help pay the expenses involvedTownshend Acts: To help pay the expenses involved
in governing the American colonies (governors &in governing the American colonies (governors &
judges), Parliament passed the Townshend Acts,judges), Parliament passed the Townshend Acts,
which initiated taxes on glass, lead, paint, paper, andwhich initiated taxes on glass, lead, paint, paper, and
tea.tea.
• This was an EXTERNAL (indierct) tax, tax on importedThis was an EXTERNAL (indierct) tax, tax on imported
goodsgoods
22. 17671767
• Non-importation: In response to new taxes, theNon-importation: In response to new taxes, the
colonies again decided to discourage the purchase ofcolonies again decided to discourage the purchase of
British imports.British imports.
23. 17671767
• "Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania to the"Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania to the
Inhabitants of the British Colonies."Inhabitants of the British Colonies."
• Originally published in a newspaper, thisOriginally published in a newspaper, this
widely reproduced pamphlet by Johnwidely reproduced pamphlet by John
Dickinson declared that Parliament could notDickinson declared that Parliament could not
tax the colonies, called the Townshend Actstax the colonies, called the Townshend Acts
unconstitutional, and denounced theunconstitutional, and denounced the
suspension of the New York Assembly as asuspension of the New York Assembly as a
threat to colonial liberties.threat to colonial liberties.
25. 17681768
• Massachusetts Circular Letter: Samuel AdamsMassachusetts Circular Letter: Samuel Adams
wrote a statement, approved by thewrote a statement, approved by the
Massachusetts House of Representatives,Massachusetts House of Representatives,
which attacked Parliament's persistence inwhich attacked Parliament's persistence in
taxing the colonies without propertaxing the colonies without proper
representation, and which called for unifiedrepresentation, and which called for unified
resistance by all the colonies.resistance by all the colonies.
• Many colonies issued similar statements.Many colonies issued similar statements.
26. 17681768
Officials were unable to enforce taxation laws inOfficials were unable to enforce taxation laws in
MassachusettsMassachusetts
So….So….
29. 17691769
• Virginia's Resolutions: The Virginia House ofVirginia's Resolutions: The Virginia House of
Burgesses passed resolutions condemningBurgesses passed resolutions condemning
Britain's actions against Massachusetts, andBritain's actions against Massachusetts, and
stating that only Virginia's governor andstating that only Virginia's governor and
legislature could tax its citizens.legislature could tax its citizens.
• The members also drafted a formal letter toThe members also drafted a formal letter to
the King, completing it just before thethe King, completing it just before the
legislature was dissolved by Virginia's royallegislature was dissolved by Virginia's royal
governor.governor.
30. 17701770
• Townshend Acts Cut Back: Because of the reducedTownshend Acts Cut Back: Because of the reduced
profits resulting from the colonialprofits resulting from the colonial “boycott” of“boycott” of
imported British goods, Parliament withdrew all ofimported British goods, Parliament withdrew all of
the Townshend Act (1767) taxes except for the tax onthe Townshend Act (1767) taxes except for the tax on
tea.tea.
• More on tea later….More on tea later….
31. 17701770
• An End to Non-importation. In response toAn End to Non-importation. In response to
Parliament's relaxation of its taxation laws, theParliament's relaxation of its taxation laws, the
colonies relaxed theircolonies relaxed their “boycott” of British imported“boycott” of British imported
goods (1767).goods (1767).
32. 17701770
• Conflict between Citizens and British Troops in NewConflict between Citizens and British Troops in New
York: After a leading New York Son of Liberty issuedYork: After a leading New York Son of Liberty issued
a broadside attacking the New York Assembly fora broadside attacking the New York Assembly for
complying with the Quartering Act (1765), a riotcomplying with the Quartering Act (1765), a riot
erupted between citizens and soldiers, resulting inerupted between citizens and soldiers, resulting in
serious wounds but no fatalities.serious wounds but no fatalities.
33. 17701770
• Boston Massacre. The arrival of troops inBoston Massacre. The arrival of troops in
Boston provoked conflict between citizens andBoston provoked conflict between citizens and
soldiers. On March 5, a group of soldierssoldiers. On March 5, a group of soldiers
surrounded by an unfriendly crowd openedsurrounded by an unfriendly crowd opened
fire, killing three Americans and criticallyfire, killing three Americans and critically
wounding two more.wounding two more.
• A violent uprising was avoided only with theA violent uprising was avoided only with the
withdrawal of the troops to islands in thewithdrawal of the troops to islands in the
harbor. The soldiers were tried for murder, butharbor. The soldiers were tried for murder, but
convicted only of lesser crimes; noted patriotconvicted only of lesser crimes; noted patriot
John Adams was their principal lawyer.John Adams was their principal lawyer.
38. 17711771
• I am sure it was a good year, but not much happenedI am sure it was a good year, but not much happened
that I want to discuss here…that I want to discuss here…
39. 17721772
• Committees of Correspondence: Samuel AdamsCommittees of Correspondence: Samuel Adams
called for a Boston town meeting to createcalled for a Boston town meeting to create
committees of correspondence to communicatecommittees of correspondence to communicate
Boston's position to the other colonies.Boston's position to the other colonies.
• Similar committees were soon created throughoutSimilar committees were soon created throughout
the colonies.the colonies.
41. 17731773
• Tea Act: By reducing the tax on imported British tea,Tea Act: By reducing the tax on imported British tea,
this act gave British merchants an unfair advantage inthis act gave British merchants an unfair advantage in
selling their tea in America.selling their tea in America.
• American colonists condemned the act, and manyAmerican colonists condemned the act, and many
planned to boycott tea.planned to boycott tea.
42. 17731773
• Boston Tea Party: When British tea ships arrived inBoston Tea Party: When British tea ships arrived in
Boston harbor, many citizens wanted the tea sentBoston harbor, many citizens wanted the tea sent
back to England without the payment of any taxes.back to England without the payment of any taxes.
• The royal governor insisted on payment of all taxes.The royal governor insisted on payment of all taxes.
• On December 16, a group of men disguised as IndiansOn December 16, a group of men disguised as Indians
boarded the ships and dumped all the tea in theboarded the ships and dumped all the tea in the
harbor.harbor.
46. 17741774
• Coercive Acts (aka Intolerable Acts)Coercive Acts (aka Intolerable Acts)
• In response to the Boston Tea Party, ParliamentIn response to the Boston Tea Party, Parliament
passed several acts to punish Massachusetts.passed several acts to punish Massachusetts.
• The Boston Port Bill banned the loading or unloadingThe Boston Port Bill banned the loading or unloading
of any ships in Boston harbor.of any ships in Boston harbor.
• The Administration of Justice Act offered protectionThe Administration of Justice Act offered protection
to royal officials in Massachusetts, allowing them toto royal officials in Massachusetts, allowing them to
transfer to England all court cases against themtransfer to England all court cases against them
involving riot suppression or revenue collection.involving riot suppression or revenue collection.
47. 17741774
• The Massachusetts Government Act put the electionThe Massachusetts Government Act put the election
of most government officials under the control of theof most government officials under the control of the
Crown, essentially eliminating the MassachusettsCrown, essentially eliminating the Massachusetts
charter of government.charter of government.
48. 17741774
• The Colonies Organize Protest: To protest Britain'sThe Colonies Organize Protest: To protest Britain's
actions, Massachusetts suggested a return to non-actions, Massachusetts suggested a return to non-
importation, but several states preferred a congressimportation, but several states preferred a congress
of all the colonies to discuss united resistance.of all the colonies to discuss united resistance.
• The colonies soon named delegates to a congress --The colonies soon named delegates to a congress --
the First Continental Congress -- to meet inthe First Continental Congress -- to meet in
Philadelphia on September 5.Philadelphia on September 5.
49. 17741774
• The First Continental Congress: Twelve of theThe First Continental Congress: Twelve of the
thirteen colonies sent a total of fifty-sixthirteen colonies sent a total of fifty-six
delegates to the First Continental Congress.delegates to the First Continental Congress.
• Only Georgia was not represented. OneOnly Georgia was not represented. One
accomplishment of the Congress was theaccomplishment of the Congress was the
Association of 1774, which urged all colonistsAssociation of 1774, which urged all colonists
to avoid using British goods, and to formto avoid using British goods, and to form
committees to enforce this ban.committees to enforce this ban.
50. 17741774
• New England Prepares for War. British troopsNew England Prepares for War. British troops
began to fortify Boston, and seized ammunitionbegan to fortify Boston, and seized ammunition
belonging to the colony of Massachusetts.belonging to the colony of Massachusetts.
• Thousands of American militiamen were ready toThousands of American militiamen were ready to
resist, but no fighting occurred. Massachusettsresist, but no fighting occurred. Massachusetts
created a Provincial Congress, and a specialcreated a Provincial Congress, and a special
Committee of Safety to decide when the militiaCommittee of Safety to decide when the militia
should be called into action.should be called into action.
• Special groups of militia, known as Minute Men,Special groups of militia, known as Minute Men,
were organized to be ready for instant action.were organized to be ready for instant action.
51. 1775: you could call it an1775: you could call it an
important year!important year!
• New England Restraining Act: Parliament passed anNew England Restraining Act: Parliament passed an
act banning trade between the New England coloniesact banning trade between the New England colonies
and any other country besides Great Britain.and any other country besides Great Britain.
52. 17751775
• New England Resists: British troops continued toNew England Resists: British troops continued to
attempt to seize colonial ammunition, but wereattempt to seize colonial ammunition, but were
turned back in Massachusetts, without any violence.turned back in Massachusetts, without any violence.
• Royal authorities decided that force should be usedRoyal authorities decided that force should be used
to enforce recent acts of Parliament; war seemedto enforce recent acts of Parliament; war seemed
unavoidable.unavoidable.
53. 17751775
• Lexington and Concord: British troops planned toLexington and Concord: British troops planned to
destroy American ammunition at Concord.destroy American ammunition at Concord.
• When the Boston Committee of Safety learned of thisWhen the Boston Committee of Safety learned of this
plan, it sent Paul Revere and William Dawes to alertplan, it sent Paul Revere and William Dawes to alert
the countryside and gather the Minute Men.the countryside and gather the Minute Men.
55. 17751775
• On April 19, Minute Men and British troops met atOn April 19, Minute Men and British troops met at
Lexington, where a shot from a stray British gun ledLexington, where a shot from a stray British gun led
to more British firing.to more British firing.
• The Americans only fired a few shots; severalThe Americans only fired a few shots; several
Americans were killed.Americans were killed.
• The British marched on to Concord and destroyedThe British marched on to Concord and destroyed
some ammunition, but soon found the countrysidesome ammunition, but soon found the countryside
swarming with militia.swarming with militia.
• At the end of the day, many were dead on both sides.At the end of the day, many were dead on both sides.
58. 17751775
• The Second Continental Congress: The SecondThe Second Continental Congress: The Second
Continental Congress convened in Philadelphia onContinental Congress convened in Philadelphia on
May 10. John Hancock was elected president ofMay 10. John Hancock was elected president of
Congress.Congress.
59. 17751775
• George Washington is named commander-in-George Washington is named commander-in-
chief. On June 10, John Adams proposed thatchief. On June 10, John Adams proposed that
Congress consider the forces in Boston aCongress consider the forces in Boston a
Continental army, and suggested the need for aContinental army, and suggested the need for a
general.general.
• He recommended George Washington for theHe recommended George Washington for the
position.position.
• Congress began to raise men from other coloniesCongress began to raise men from other colonies
to join the army in New England, and named ato join the army in New England, and named a
committee to draft military rules.committee to draft military rules.
60. 17751775
• On June 15, Washington was nominated to lead theOn June 15, Washington was nominated to lead the
army; he accepted the next day.army; he accepted the next day.
• To pay for the army, Congress issued bills of credit,To pay for the army, Congress issued bills of credit,
and the twelve colonies represented in the Congressand the twelve colonies represented in the Congress
promised to share in repaying the bills.promised to share in repaying the bills.
62. 17751775
• Bunker Hill. On June 12, British General Gage putBunker Hill. On June 12, British General Gage put
martial law in effect, and stated that any personmartial law in effect, and stated that any person
helping the Americans would be considered ahelping the Americans would be considered a
traitor and rebel.traitor and rebel.
• When Americans began to fortify a hill againstWhen Americans began to fortify a hill against
British forces, British ships in the harborBritish forces, British ships in the harbor
discovered the activity and opened fire. Britishdiscovered the activity and opened fire. British
troops -- 2,400 in number -- arrived shortly after.troops -- 2,400 in number -- arrived shortly after.
• Although the Americans -- 1,000 in number --Although the Americans -- 1,000 in number --
resisted several attacks, eventually they lost theresisted several attacks, eventually they lost the
fortification. However, Brits had 2X the casualties.fortification. However, Brits had 2X the casualties.
66. 17751775
• Olive Branch Petition. Congress issued a petitionOlive Branch Petition. Congress issued a petition
declaring its loyalty to the king, George III, anddeclaring its loyalty to the king, George III, and
stating its hope that he would help arrange astating its hope that he would help arrange a
reconciliation and prevent further hostilities againstreconciliation and prevent further hostilities against
the colonies.the colonies.
• Four months later, King George III rejected theFour months later, King George III rejected the
petition and declared the colonies in rebellion.petition and declared the colonies in rebellion.
67. 17751775
• Congress Treaties with the Indians: Acting as anCongress Treaties with the Indians: Acting as an
independent government, Congress appointedindependent government, Congress appointed
commissioners to create peace treaties with thecommissioners to create peace treaties with the
Indians.Indians.
68. 17751775
• Congress Creates a Navy. Congress began to planCongress Creates a Navy. Congress began to plan
for aggressive action against British shipsfor aggressive action against British ships
stocked with ammunition.stocked with ammunition.
• It authorized the building of four armed ships,It authorized the building of four armed ships,
and began to formulate rules for a navy.and began to formulate rules for a navy.
• On December 22, Congress named Esek HopkinsOn December 22, Congress named Esek Hopkins
commodore of the fledgling American navy.commodore of the fledgling American navy.
• Soon after, Congress authorized privateering,Soon after, Congress authorized privateering,
and issued rules for dealing with enemy vesselsand issued rules for dealing with enemy vessels
and plunder.and plunder.
69. 17751775
• Congress Searches for Foreign Aid: When aCongress Searches for Foreign Aid: When a
congressional committee began to investigate thecongressional committee began to investigate the
possibility of foreign aid in the war against Greatpossibility of foreign aid in the war against Great
Britain, France expressed interest.Britain, France expressed interest.
