American Life 3/3

Overview of Colonial Tensions Leading to Revolution

• Instructor discusses the scoring of recent exams and clarifications on homework submissions.

Background Context

• Review of previous discussions on colonial taxation and the significance of the Sugar Act and Currency and Quartering Acts.

• British financial burdens post-French and Indian War led to new revenue policies.

• Key constitutional issues arising from direct taxation by the British Parliament are examined.

Stamp Act of 1765

• Served as a catalyst for colonial unrest due to its constitutional implications of direct taxation.

• Colonists viewed the Stamp Act as unconstitutional, leading to significant opposition.

• Patrick Henry's speech advocating for resistance exemplified colonial agitation.

• First significant organized resistance emerged, leading to meetings like the Stamp Act Congress.

  • Delegates from nine colonies met to discuss non-compliance strategies.

  • Emphasis on smuggling as a protest against the Stamp Act.

Sons of Liberty

• Emerged as a key societal response to the Stamp Act, composed of working-class men.

• Engaged in protests, including intimidating tax collectors and more violent acts like tar and feathering officials.

• Demonstrated the rise in activism and a willingness to challenge British authority directly.

Colonial Protests and Reactions

• The British eventually repealed the Stamp Act in 1766 due to pressure from colonial protests, despite claiming it wasn't due to the protests.

• Parliament asserted their right to impose future taxes despite the repeal, indicating ongoing tensions.

• The non-consumption and non-importation agreements among colonists became common forms of resistance.

The Townsend Acts of 1767

• Introduced new revenue measures affecting everyday goods like tea, paper, glass, and other imports.

• Payment of colonial officials by British Parliament heightened fears of manipulation and control over colonial governance.

• British troops were stationed in urban areas, creating an atmosphere of intimidation among colonists.

• Sons of Liberty re-emerged with increased protest activities against these new measures.

The Boston Massacre (March 1770)

• Sparked by increased tensions between colonists and British soldiers; a large mob confronted Redcoats at Customs House.

• Soldiers fired into the crowd, killing five and injuring six, leading to outrage among colonists.

• Crispus Attucks, a bystander and African American, became a symbol of martyrdom for the cause.

  • The event was branded as a massacre, becoming powerful revolutionary propaganda.

• The British soldiers involved were defended by John Adams, illustrating the complexities and tensions of the era.

Key Takeaways

• The events discussed mark significant escalations of colonial unrest leading to the eventual American Revolution.

• The Stamp Act and subsequent measures demonstrated the growing colonial resistance against British financial policies.

• The Boston Massacre became a pivotal moment that galvanized sentiments towards independence and highlighted the potential for violence in protests.

• The complexities surrounding ideas of taxation, representation, and civil liberties marked the foundational debates leading to revolution.