Week 9 - American Revolution

Article 1: Who Will Pay for the War?

The French and Indian War left Great Britain with a large debt. King George III and Parliament believed the American colonies should help pay for the cost of their own defense. The British government began enforcing old taxes and creating new ones on goods like sugar and paper. Colonists, however, argued that they had no representatives in Parliament. They believed it was unfair to pay taxes when they had no voice in making the laws.

Article 2: Taxes and Tyranny

To raise money, Parliament passed new tax laws, including the Stamp Act of 1765. This law required colonists to buy stamps for newspapers, legal papers, and even playing cards. Colonists saw this as tyranny—unjust rule by a powerful government. Angry protests spread across the colonies. Some refused to buy British goods, while others held meetings to demand that the Stamp Act be repealed.

Article 3: Tea Parties in the Colonies

One of the most famous protests happened in 1773 when colonists rebelled against the Tea Act. This law gave one British company total control of tea sales in the colonies. In Boston, members of the Sons of Liberty disguised themselves as American Indians and dumped 342 chests of tea into Boston Harbor. The “Boston Tea Party” became a symbol of resistance against unfair laws and taxes.

Article 4: Acts of Parliament and Colonial Response

After the Boston Tea Party, Parliament passed new laws to punish the colonies. These included the Quartering Act, which required colonists to house British soldiers, and the Townshend Acts, which taxed imported goods like glass, paper, and paint. Colonists responded with boycotts—refusing to buy British goods—and organized protests. These acts deepened the anger and mistrust between Britain and the colonies.

Article 5: The Sons of Liberty

The Sons of Liberty were a secret group formed to protest British taxes and defend colonial rights. They organized meetings, printed pamphlets, and sometimes used dramatic actions like the Boston Tea Party. Their goal was to unite colonists and show that they could stand up against unfair rule. Leaders like Samuel Adams and John Hancock inspired others to join the movement for liberty.

Article 6: The Intolerable Acts

In response to the Boston Tea Party, Britain passed the Intolerable Acts in 1774. These laws closed the port of Boston, restricted town meetings, and allowed British soldiers to be tried outside the colonies. The colonists were outraged, calling these laws “intolerable.” The colonies united to form the First Continental Congress, where leaders met to discuss how to respond. These acts pushed the colonies closer to revolution.