Changes

The first of these was the Sugar Act.  As its name suggests, this act imposed taxes on sugar, but that was not it full extent.  The Sugar Act placed stricter regulations on all shipping, stopped the colonies from importing rum, and lowered molasseses tariffs.  The British made no secret of the fact that the purpose of the Sugar Act was to make money: "Whereas it is expedient that new provisions and regulations should be established for improving the revenue of this kingdom...: and whereas it is just and necessary that a revenue be raised in you majesty's said dominions in America, for defraying the expenses of defending, protecting, and securing the same; we...have resolved to give and grant unto your majesty the several rates and duties herein after mentioned."

The first of these was the Sugar Act.  As its name suggests, this act imposed taxes on sugar, but that was not it full extent.  The Sugar Act placed stricter regulations on all shipping, stopped the colonies from importing rum, and lowered molasseses tariffs.  The British made no secret of the fact that the purpose of the Sugar Act was to make money: "Whereas it is expedient that new provisions and regulations should be established for improving the revenue of this kingdom...: and whereas it is just and necessary that a revenue be raised in you majesty's said dominions in America, for defraying the expenses of defending, protecting, and securing the same; we...have resolved to give and grant unto your majesty the several rates and duties herein after mentioned."

He humiliated the colonists with legal intrusions: writs of assistance to search businesses without a court order or warrant.  He violated ancient rights.  He passed the Quartering Act to require colonists to house British troops at the expense of their own government.  This did nothing to make money for Britain, but only punished the colonies.

Grenville humiliated the colonists with legal intrusions: writs of assistance to search businesses without a court order or warrant.  He violated ancient rights.   

Colonists disliked these events, but only with the passage of the [[Stamp Act]] did they become truly angry.  The Stamp Act was an undisguised attempt to bring the British more money, the first time Parliament directly taxed the colonies.  It required that printed materials, like newspapers, bear stamps showing that coin tax had been paid.  The public, and especially the media, was outraged.  This sparked the colonies to meet with each other in the Stamp Act Congress in New York City, which was attended by 9 colonies.  This was the first time the colonists had come together to consider protesting.  They sent  a petition to the King.  Later, a boycott of British goods was organized.   

Colonists disliked these events, but only with the passage of the [[Stamp Act]] did they become truly angry.  The Stamp Act was an undisguised attempt to bring the British more money, the first time Parliament directly taxed the colonies.  It required that legal papers, cards, dice, newspapers, degrees, land documents, and appointments to office bear stamps (not postage stamps) showing that coin tax had been paid.  Subtly, the British were suppressing vocal writers and lawyers, by making their trades more costly.  The public, and especially the media, was outraged.   

 

 

 

Patrick Henry put this argument into words in one of his resolutions which were published in newspapers throughout the colonies: "''Resolved.'' That the taxation of the people by themselves or by persons chosen by themselves to represent them, who can only know what taxes the people are able to bear, are the easiest method of raising them, and must themselves be affected by every tax laid on the people, is the only security against a burthensome taxation and the distinguishing characteristick of British freedom, without which the ancient constitution cannot exist."

 

To confront the problems, nine colonies met with each other in the Stamp Act Congress in New York City in October 1765.  This was the first time the colonists had come together to consider protesting.  They sent  a petition to the King.  Later, a boycott of British goods was organized.   

 

In Massachusetts, Sam Adams created the Sons of Liberty during July 1765.  This group strongly protested the Stamp Act and forced British-appointed stamp agent Andrew Oliver to resign.

In Massachusetts, Sam Adams created the Sons of Liberty during July 1765.  This group strongly protested the Stamp Act and forced British-appointed stamp agent Andrew Oliver to resign.

Colonists strongly opposed the Stamp Act’s direct (internal) taxation.  If the Act were not odious enough in its own right, the fact that it came during a time of weak economy threatened to injure the colonies more deeply.  The outrage united colonists, for the Stamp Act affected every colony and every citizen.  They shared the injury of a common grievance, and had a common cause to work towards.

In fact, when stamp agents in the colonies realized how unpopular they were, most resigned.  The few that remained were pressured to resign, and sometimes forced, as in the case of Jared Ingersoll.  "They caught Ingersoll at Wethersfield and silently and pointedly led him under a large tree.  They parlayed for hours..., with Ingersoll squirming, arguing and refusing to resign.  The crowds...grew so large and threatening that finally Ingersoll read his resignation to the mob and yielded to the demand that he throw his hat in the air and cheer for 'Liberty and Property.'"

Foolishly, the British government had appointed colonists to sell the stamps, imagining that intimidation would persuade them to sell stamps as the government required.  Instead, they simply didn't sell stamps, and the colonies kept doing business without them.  Realizing that it had underestimated the colonies, Britain repealed the Stamp Act in 1766 but passed the Declaratory Act asserting right to legislate for colonies in future.

When the Stamp Act took effect, there was no one to sell them in the colonies.  Business went on as usual.

The colonists developed a strong argument against England’s oppression:  taxation without representation.  Britain said colonists had “virtual” representation.  Colonists said adequate representation was impossible because England is so far away.

Realizing that it had underestimated the colonies, Britain repealed the Stamp Act in 1766 but passed the Declaratory Act asserting right to legislate for colonies in future.  Public outrage decreased dramatically, although the Sugar Act, Quartering Act, and Proclamation Line were still in effect.

In 1767, the Townshend Act imposed more taxes.  It taxed paper, lead, paint and tea in colonies to pay salaries of royal judges and governors.  The tax singled out New York and Massachusetts to suspend their assemblies for failing to levy taxes to house and feed British troops in their colonies.  By targeting those states, the Act tried to avoid inciting the wrath of all colonies.  But the rising conflict, particularly that of the Stamp Act had begun to unify the colonies.  They understood that what happened to one colony would happen to them just as easily.  Thus, under the oppression of the Townshend Act, the colonists boycotted British goods again, and once again the boycott was very effective.

In 1767, the Townshend Act imposed more taxes.  It taxed paper, lead, paint and tea in colonies to pay salaries of royal judges and governors.  The tax singled out New York and Massachusetts to suspend their assemblies for failing to levy taxes to house and feed British troops in their colonies.  By targeting those states, the Act tried to avoid inciting the wrath of all colonies.  But the rising conflict, particularly that of the Stamp Act had begun to unify the colonies.  They understood that what happened to one colony would happen to them just as easily.  Thus, under the oppression of the Townshend Act, the colonists boycotted British goods again, and once again the boycott was very effective.