Wilson APUSH VQ 1-23

George Grenville

Became prime minister of Britain in 1763 he persuaded the Parliament to pass a law allowing smugglers to be sent to vice-admiralty courts which were run by British officers and had no jury. He did this to end smuggling.

Currency Act (1764)

Forbade colonists from printing their own money & instead required them to use hard currency (gold & silver) which was in short supply in the colonies.

Sugar Act (1764)

An act that raised tax revenue in the colonies for the crown. Lowered tax on molasses and added taxes for coffee, wine, indigo. Strengthened customs enforcement

Nonimportation Associations

A boycott of British goods organized by the Sons of Liberty in which all colonists were held responsible to participate. Was in response to the Stamp Act and Townshend Acts.

Stamp Act (1765)

Placed a tax on almost all printed materials in the colonies

Quartering Act (1765)

Act forcing colonists to house and supply British forces in the colonies; created more resentment; seen as assault on liberties.

Vice-Admiralty Courts

Juryless courts located in British colonies that were granted jurisdiction over local legal matters related to maritime activities, such as disputes between merchants and seamen.

Patrick Henry

A leader of the American Revolution and a famous orator who spoke out against British rule of the American colonies (1736-1799) "Give me liberty or give me death"

James Otis

A colonial lawyer/activist who defended (usually for free) colonial merchants who were accused of smuggling. Argued against the writs of assistance and the Stamp Act. "No taxation without representation"

Stamp Act Congress

A meeting of delegations from many of the colonies, the congress was formed to protest a new act. It adopted a declaration of rights as well as sent letters of complaints to the king and parliament, and it showed signs of colonial unity and organized resistance.

Thomas Hutchinson

British governor of Massachusetts whose stubborn policies helped provoke the Boston Tea Party

Sons of Liberty

A radical political organization for colonial independence which formed in 1765 after the passage of the Stamp Act. They incited riots and burned the customs houses where the stamped British paper was kept. After the repeal of the Stamp Act, many of the local chapters formed the Committees of Correspondence which continued to promote opposition to British policies towards the colonies. The leaders included Samuel Adams and Paul Revere.

Declaratory Act (1766)

Passed at the same time that the Stamp Act was repealed, the Act declared that Parliament had the power to tax the colonies both internally and externally, and had absolute power over the colonial legislatures.

Townshend Act (1767)

British law that established new duties on tea, glass, lead, paper, and painters' colors imported into the colonies. Led to boycotts and heightened tensions between Britain and the American colonies.

Revenue Act (1767)

Directed that some of the revenue generated from its application is used to pay the salaries of royal government officials. Allowed for writs of assistance (search warrants), and provisions for stricter enforcement of trade regulations.

Writs of Assistance

Legal document that enabled officers to search homes and warehouses for goods that might be smuggled

Restraining Act (1767)

Restricted trade, prohibited the export of certain goods, such as timber and food, from the affected colonies to other colonies or countries, effectively limiting their economic activity

John Dickinson

Drafted a declaration of colonial rights and grievances, and also wrote the series of "Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania" in 1767 to protest the Townshend Acts. Although an outspoken critic of British policies towards the colonies, he opposed the Revolution, and, as a delegate to the Continental Congress in 1776, refused to sign the Declaration of Independence.

Letters from a Farmer

Writings by John Dickinson denoucing the Townshend Duties. Inspired anti-British sentiment throughout the colonies.

Massachusetts Circular Letter

A letter written in Boston and circulated through the colonies in February, 1768, which urged the colonies not to import goods taxed by the Townshend Acts. Boston, New York, and Philadelphia agreed to non-importation.

"Boston Massacre" (1770)

Violent confrontation between British soldiers and colonists. Used as a rallying point by colonial leaders, particularly Samuel Adams and Paul Revere, who sought to galvanize anti-British sentiment. Became a symbol of British oppression and contributed to the growing calls for independence from British rule.

The Gaspee incident

In June, 1772, a British customs ship ran around off the colonial coast. When the British went ashore for help, colonials boarded the ship and burned it. They were sent to Britain for trial. Colonial outrage led to the widespread formation of Committees of Correspondence.

Samuel Adams

American Revolutionary leader and patriot, Founder of the Sons of Liberty and one of the most vocal patriots for independence; signed the Declaration of Independence

Committees of Correspondence

Organization founded by Samuel Adams consisting of a system of communication between patriot leaders in New England and throughout the colonies. Aimed to coordinate responses to British policies and foster unity among the colonies. Built colonial identity