Ch7-2: Early Conflict with Britain (pp. 234-239)
Source of Conflict: Money

GB’s War Debt

o King George III + Parliament: colonists to help pay
o Taxes went to GB for each colonist’s purchase
New Taxes
o
o
o
o

No colonial representation in government
Sugar Act 1764 (tax on regularly used items: sugar, coffee, cloth, etc.)
 Smuggling begins to avoid taxation
Stamp Act 1765 (tax on all printed materials: newspaper, playing cards)
Townsend Acts 1767 (tax on GB-imported tea, glass, lead, paint, paper)
Colonists speak out against taxation
o

Wanted representatives to vote on tax issues
 Patrick Henry gained support [taxation without representation]
o Anti-tax groups formed (Sons of Liberty)
 Samuel Adams’ protest v. Stamp Act
 Protests turned violent
Stamp Act Congress 1765 (NY)
o
o

Only colonists could tax colonists
Boycotts begin (NYC & Philadelphia)to hurt GB trade
 Parliament repealed Stamp Act
Townsend Act 1767 Protest
o
o
o

GB tax officials mobbed/injured
British soldiers return to colonies to protect GB officials
Daughters of Liberty
 Sewed own cloth
GB removes taxes … except tea
o GB defiant v. colonists
ESSENTIAL LEARNING POINTS:
1. Why did Great Britain feel the need to tax the colonists?
2. What was the Sugar Act 1764 and what products were involved?
3. What was the Stamp Act 1765 and what products were involved?
4. What was the Townsend Acts 1767 and what products were involved?
5. What was the main reason why colonists resented the taxes?
6. What 3-word phrase did Patrick Henry speak out against?
7. What does a “boycott” look like?
8. Which British import remained taxable after all the other taxes were removed? Why did the tax
on it remain?