Chapter 5

Imperial Reforms and Colonial Protests (1763-1774)

  • Key Legislative Actions:

  • Sugar Act (1764): Reduces molasses tax; strengthens compliance.

  • 1763 Proclamation Line: Restricts westward settlement.

  • Stamp Act (1765): Direct tax on printed materials.

  • Townshend Revenue Act (1767): Duties on various goods.

  • Tea Act (1773): Monopolizes tea trade for East India Company, leads to Boston Tea Party.

  • Coercive Acts (1774): Punitive measures against Massachusetts.

  • First Continental Congress (1774): Response to Coercive Acts.

Aftermath of the French and Indian War (1763)

  • Victory over France

  • Problems:

    • National debt: £75 million to £133 million (1756-1763).

    • Armed Native Americans, ongoing French influence.

Problems on the American Frontier

  • Colonial Expansion Near Natives:

  • British troops manage tensions.

  • Land conflicts with Native confederacies.

Pontiac’s Rebellion and the Paxton Boys (1761-1763)

  • Pontiac's Resistance:

  • Unites tribes against Europeans.

  • Sieges of Fort Detroit and Fort Pitt.

  • Paxton Boys: Vigilantes attack Natives.

National Debt and Imperial Reforms

  • British Response:

  • Colonists to share financial burden.

  • Currency Act (1764): Restricts colonial currency.

The Stamp Act and Colonial Response (1765)

  • Stamp Act: Introduces direct tax; sparks colonial outrage.

  • Quartering Act: Mandates housing for British troops.

  • Sons and Daughters of Liberty: Mobilizes protests/boycotts.

Colonial Protests and Mobilization

  • Resistance:

  • Gentry and merchants lead Stamp Act Congress.

  • Protests with effigies and violence against distributors.

The Declaratory Act (1766)

  • Parliament’s Assertion: Confirms right to legislate for colonies.

The Townshend Acts (1767)

  • Taxation Measures:

  • Duties on goods, enforcement via writs of assistance.

  • Protests led by Daughters of Liberty.

Trouble in Boston (1768-1770)

  • Increased British Presence:

  • 4,000 troops deployed; Boston Massacre (1770).

  • Paul Revere’s engraving sways public opinion.

Destruction of Tea and Coercive Acts (1773-1774)

  • Boston Tea Party: Protest against Tea Act.

  • Coercive Acts (1774): Retaliation, called Intolerable Acts.

First Continental Congress (1774)

  • Formation:

  • Delegates from 12 colonies; call for boycott.

  • Suffolk Resolves as basis for rebellion.