BRITISH ACTS AND COLONIAL REACTIONS

Cause and Effect

The Navigation Acts (1650)

Colonists were required to transport goods only on British ships Certain goods (sugar, tobacco, indigo, furs) could only go to England Imported goods must be purchased from England or pay taxes in British port if purchased from a foreign nation Purpose: To make England a wealthy nation

Whats the key word associated with the Navigation Acts?

MERCANTILISM!

The Navigations Acts (1650)

COLONIAL REACTION: -Many colonists ignored these laws -Smuggling was prominent BRITISH RESPONSE: -Passed more acts!

After the Seven Years War

Colonists are not allowed to live West of Appalachian Mountains- by order of King (Proclamation of 1763) 10,000 troops sent to make sure that the colonists obey this order

Paying for the war

The French and Indian War was very expensive. Britain was in debt and had to pay for the 10,000 troops now in Colonies to keep the peace King and Parliament (British version of Congress) felt that the Colonies should help pay. Britain began to issue new taxes as well as enforce older tax laws.

New Taxes

Colonists begin smuggling to avoid taxes Colonial courts often found smugglers innocent, so Parliament passed a law that made sure Smugglers were tried by Royal Judges. Parliament also allowed for writs of assistance allowing British customs officers to search almost anywhere for smuggled goods.

Three Sides Form

Three distinct points of view look at the new taxes

Patriots- believe that the colonies are being unfairly taxed for the war- Britain is supposed to protect the colonies, why should they have to pay more? Arent they British citizens? Loyalists: Believe that the British government is correct. Britain has defended the colonies for a war started by Virginia. Shouldnt the colonies have to pay for it? Neutral- can see both sides and choose not to take one.

Sugar Act

Passed in 1764 Lowered tax on Molasses (sugar) The tax was an old law that was being enforced again Britain hoped that by lowering the tax, people would pay it

The Currency Act 1764

The colonies suffered a constant shortage of currency with which to conduct trade. There were no gold or silver mines and currency could only be obtained through trade as regulated by Great Britain. The Currency Act of 1764 prohibited all American colonies from issuing paper currency, thereby creating severe monetary problems.

Stamp Act
Taxed all printed materials -Wills, newspapers, playing cards, letters needed a stamp to show the tax had been paid - Colonists argue that only the colonial assemblies can create taxes, not the British government

The Quartering Act - 1765

Intended to help the British defray the cost of maintaining troops in America Required that the colonists had to supply British troops with food, munitions and barracks Bitterly resented by the Americans, particularly because the troops were used to enforce Parliaments new tax policies in the colonies

Townshend Acts-1767

A tax on imported goods instead of goods sold within the colonies. Taxed goods like glass, tea, paper Tax was paid when goods arrived, before they were sold (the store that bought them would pay tax, not individuals) This does NOT lead to the Boston Tea Party

Boston Massacre

Britain has sent troops to occupy Boston- the center of Patriot protest. 1768 Colonists are angry Two years after occupation troops arrive, a mob gathers to protest the British troops As colonists throw snowballs, ice and rocks while insulting the British, a soldier fires, others fire and in the end five colonists are dead

Colonial depiction of the event

Tea Act

East India Tea company was a big part of British economy Colonists were boycotting the company and had almost driven it out of business To save the company, Parliament allows East India Tea Company to be only company that can sell tea in colonies Lowers tax on tea

Boston Tea Party

Three East India Tea Company ships arrive in Boston Harbor Sons of Liberty dressed as Native Americans board the ships and throw the tea into Boston Harbor

Intolerable Acts/ Coercive Acts

Britain is worried that they are losing control of colonies Boston tea party shows that they need to show they are in control Intolerable/Coercive Acts are passed to punish the colonists for resisting British Bans town meetings, closes Boston harbor until tea is paid for, allows troops to live in colonists houses Canada was also created as a separate territory that owned all the land colonists wanted in the Seven Years War