The Road to Revolution

After the War… British had huge debts Depended on the colonies for money Sent 10,000 British soldiers to the colonies to “protect their interests” there Colonists feared they would lose what freedom they had

Paying for the War The British government thought that the war was fought to benefit the colonists, so they should pay for it. They began to pass and strictly enforce taxes known as Acts

Sugar Act – 1764 Raised to tax on luxury items such as wine and silk Also increased tax on molasses Gave Royal Tax Collectors the rights to search and seize any goods smuggled in from other countries and not taxed (writs of assistance)

Quartering Act Required colonists to feed and shelter British troops Most troops were stationed in port cities North Carolina (having no major port) escaped the effects of these Acts

Effects… England didn’t expect a reaction Such laws and taxes had been in effect in England for 75 years Members of Parliament approve tax increases Colonists did not have representation in Parliament Colonists believed only their colonial government had the right to tax them

Stamp Act – 1765 Stated colonists had to pay for special stamps (tax) on legal documents, newspapers, certificates, deed, license, etc. Colonists were outraged

Reaction to Stamp Act Members of the Virginia Assembly attacked England’s right to tax the colonies Patrick Henry almost called king a tyrant Warned he was close to treason Massachusetts invited colonies to send delegates to a Stamp Act Congress Before it could meet riots broke out in Boston

NC Reaction to Stamp Act Gov. Tryon did not allow NC to have a delegate at the Stamp Act Congress People in NC generally supported the Congress and opposed the Stamp Act Wilmington and Cape Fear became centers of protests Parliament repealed the Stamp Act in March 1766

New Taxes Charles Townshend (official in charge of British finances) came up with a plan to raise revenue Townshend Acts – tax to raise money to pay British officials in the colonies Tax on necessary items such as tea, glass, paint and lead This time, Massachusetts encourages a boycott

Non-Importation Association King ordered Massachusetts to dissolve the anti-tax assembly Virginia came up with the idea for the NIA, where colonists would refuse to buy any British goods British merchants suffered from the loss Demanded Parliament repeal Acts 1770, England repeals all taxes except the one on tea

Boston “Massacre” Colonists surround a guard at a tax office and yell insults Soldiers and townspeople rush over to watch Gunshots were heard In the confusion, five colonists were killed 3 died immediately, 1 the next day, the other 2 weeks later Patriots circulated letters calling the event a massacre

Boston “Massacre”

The price of tea For the next few years, colonists traded with England for most goods except TEA British tea merchants asked Parliament for help Tea Act – cut the price of tea to increase sales but added yet another tax Patriots of Boston took the lead in the protest

Boston Tea Party December 16, 1773 (after dark) A small group of men disguised as Native Americans boarded several tea ships in Boston Harbor Dumped tea overboard

Edenton Tea Party A year later, a group of NC women held their own sort of tea party 51 “patriotic ladies” signed an agreement Refused to drink tea or wear English dresses Attracted lots of attention because the group was all women

Intolerable Acts – 1774 Parliament closed Boston Harbor until colonists paid for damages King George III placed the colony under military control Colonies hold a meeting known as (First) Continental Congress NC refused to participate Last royal governor (Martin) fled for his life