CHAPTER 5.2 NOTES

Turmoil Over Taxation

Turmoil Over Taxation

VocabularyPetition- a formal written request to someone

in authority, signed by a group of people

Committee of Correspondence- a group whose members regularly wrote letters and pamphlets, reporting on events

Boycott-to refuse to buy certain good and services

Turmoil Over Taxation

After the French and Indian war: the British faced new problems in North America. With the French gone, British colonists began to move west in larger numbers. On the Frontier, settlers clashed with Native Americans. A series of dispute with natives Americans began to occur, which were lead by an Ottawa chief named Pontiac. (These came to be known as Pontiacs war)

Turmoil Over Taxation

In response to Pontiac’s War, the British government issued the Proclamation of 1763, which said that colonist could not move west of the Appalachian Mountains. Man colonist ignored this law and moved west despite what the Proclamation said. This drew an imaginary line along the crest of the Appalachian Mountains. Colonists were forbidden to settle west of the line and all who lived in that area had to move out.

The French and Indian War had cost a great deal of money and the British government needed funds to pay for this war, so they began to place new taxes on the colonists.

Turmoil Over Taxation

Colonists argued that the taxes being placed on them were unfair and claimed that since they did not elect representatives to the British government, it did not have the right to impose taxes on the colonies.

Taxes imposedSugar Act- new tax on molasses Stamp Act- placed duties on legal documentsTownshend Acts- glass, paper, paint, lead and

tea

Turmoil over Taxation

Colonist protested by holding demonstrations, writing petitions, forming committees of Correspondence, and attacking tax collectors. They also joined together to boycott certain British goods. Trade fell off by 14 percent through the colonists protests.

Turmoil Over Taxation

A number of leaders played key roles in the protests.

Samuel Adams- Worked behind the scenes to organize protests.

John Adams- Used skills as a lawyer to argue for justice.

Mercy Otis Warren- Wrote plays criticizing British officials.

Patrick Henry-Delivered fiery Speeches that criticized British policies.

Turmoil Over Taxation

Parliament did cancel some taxes in response to colonial protest, however the majority taxes stayed in place. The British sent soldiers to the colonies to remind the colonist that the British government was in charge and that they had the power to tax the citizens if they wished.

In Boston, citizens felt they were being bullied into paying unjust taxes. Tensions rose between colonists and soldiers which led to a massacre. This has been known as the Boston Massacre (1770).

Turmoil Over Taxation

Facing a large and angry crowd, British soldiers panicked and opened fire. Five colonist died. This outraged the colonists, stirring up more anti-British feelings. http://www.history.com/shows/america-the-story-of-us/videos/boston-massacre