Building Colonial Unity Chapter 5, Section 2 Building Colonial Unity

Trouble in Boston Colonists are angry because: The British had passed a series of laws that violated colonial rights. They sent an army to occupy colonial cities. Soldiers were sometimes rude and violent. They competed for off duty jobs.

Relations grew more tense causing The Boston Massacre on March 5, 1770 A fight broke out between townspeople and the soldiers. The crowd threw stones, snowballs, oyster shells and wood at them

Then what? Redcoats fired into the crowd – killing 5 colonists Crispus Attucks – dockworker who was killed

Propaganda Colonial leaders used the incident as propaganda – information designed to influence opinion Sam Adams – hung posters “slaughter of innocent citizens.” Paul Revere – engraving – showed a British officer ordering soldiers to fire on an orderly crowd

This propaganda led to Stronger boycotts Parliament repeals all of the Townshend Acts except the tax on tea Committee of Correspondence – Sam Adams circulated writings about colonists grievances (complaints) against Britain.

Colonial actions led to a crises over tea British East India Company facing ruin Parliament tries to save the company by passing the Tea Act of 1773 It gave the company the right to ship tea to the colonies without paying taxes They could bypass colonial merchants and sell directly to shops Result: Gives East India an advantage over colonial merchants – cheaper tea!

Colonists protest the Tea Act December 15, 1773 – Sons of Liberty dressed as Mohawks dump 342 chests of tea into Boston Harbor The Boston Tea Party!

Britain’s Reaction England passes the Coercive Acts Closed Boston Harbor until tea was paid for (hoped to isolate Boston from other colonies and trade) Banned town meetings (took away right to self-government) Forced citizens to shelter soldiers in their homes (English law said no quartering of troops in private homes)

Colonists’ Reactions Rename the Coercive Acts the Intolerable Acts Helped unite the colonies - other colonies sent food and clothing to show their support for Boston