Road to Revolution Proclamation of 1763 Prohibited colonists

Road to Revolution

Proclamation of 1763 üProhibited colonists from settling west of the Appalachian Mountains. ü King didn’t want colonies causing war with Native Americans Colonial reaction: Resentment—colonists ignored the law

Sugar Act § Lowered tax on molasses—England hoped colonies would pay tax and stop smuggling § Taxes were also placed on wine, coffee, and textiles imported into the colonies. Colonial reaction: Colonists protested—”no taxation without representation”

Stamp Act v Required colonists to buy a stamp for every piece of paper used. v newspapers, pamphlets, legal documents, wills, licenses, and even playing cards. Colonial reaction: Boycott, protests, violent attacks (Sons of Liberty)

Townshend Acts o Taxes on popular items such as glass, paint, paper, tea, and lead. Colonial reaction: Protests, rallies, actions by Sons of Liberty

Boston Massacre (1770) q Group of colonists began taunting small group of soldiers (calling them names, spitting, throwing snowballs) q soldiers fired into the crowd killing 5 colonists q Soldiers put on trial for murder, but found innocent—John Adams defended them in court q Became known as the Boston Massacre because of colonial propaganda

Tea Act ØNot a tax ØAttempt by England to save one of their biggest companies (East India Company) • Colonies forced to buy tea from 1 company, but it would be 50% cheaper

§ Colonial Reaction to Tea Act: Colonists angry—refuse to buy tea Boston Sons of Liberty dump tea in ocean—Boston Tea Party

Intolerable Acts v Punishment for the Boston Tea Party v England closed Boston Harbor until the people of Boston paid for the tea they destroyed v. Restricted freedom and colonial governments; English government could force colonists to house their troops

First Continental Congress • 1774 • A group made up of delegates, or representatives from all the 13 colonies except Georgia. • They met in Philadelphia, PA to make a plan as a response to the unfair British taxes and laws. • They agreed to boycott all British goods and made a petition to the king to end the Intolerable Acts. • This group would meet again the next year as the Second Continental Congress to create an Army and write the Declaration of Independence