THE WAR FOR INDEPENDENCE CHAPTER 4

The Colonies Organize Stamp Act-(March 1765)required colonist to purchase special stamped paper for every legal document, license, newspaper, pamphlet, and almanac, and imposed stamp duties on playing cards and dice Colonist who disobeyed these laws were tried in vice admiralty courts

Stamp Act Protest In response to the Stamp Act, Boston shopkeepers, artisans, and laborers organize a secret resistance called the Sons of Liberty led by Samuel Adams The Sons harrased stamp agents and prevented and stamps from being sold

During 1765-1766 many colonies passed their own measures against the Stamp Act Virginia House passed a measure proposed by Patrick Henry saying “Virginians can only be taxed by Virginian assembly” Many other colonies soon followed

Declaration of Rights and Grievances In October 1765, 9/13 colonies met in New York to form the Stamp Act Congress and issued a Declaration of Rights and Grievances, which stated that parliament lacked the power to impose taxes on the colonies because they were not represented in parliament Marks first time the colonies are united In October 1765, 9/13 colonies met in New York to form the Stamp Act Congress and issued a Declaration of Rights and Grievances, which stated that parliament lacked the power to impose taxes on the colonies because they were not represented in parliament Marks first time the colonies are united

Merchants in Boston, New York, and Philadelphia close their ports to British goods. British Parliament repeals Stamp Act, but issues Declaratory Act which gave Parliament the full right to make laws “to bind the colonies and people of America…in all cases whatsoever.”

June 1768-British customs agents seize a ship owned by John Hancock claiming he had smuggled wine. Colonist riot against customs agents, so Britain stations 2,000 “redcoats” (British Soldiers)

BOSTON MASSACRE A fight breaks out between British redcoats and Boston citizens (led by Crispus Attucks) that left 4 Boston citizens dead Sam Adams labels this as the Boston Massacre, giving the idea it was an attack on defenseless citizens

Committees of Correspondence Committees of Correspondence-formed to help spread information from colony to colony

BOSTON TEA PARTY Lord Frederick North (Prime Minister) devises Tea Act which would allow for tea to be sold to colonist tax free. This would cut out the colonist merchants from the trade, this enrages colonist December 18,1773-200 colonist dressed as Indians climbed aboard a ship and dumped 18,000 pounds of tea into the Boston Harbor

INTOLERABLE ACTS King George is infuriated by Boston Tea Party and issues the intolerable acts Shut down Boston Harbor Quartering Actauthorized British commanders to house troops in colonial homes Boston is placed under martial law rule imposed by military forces

First Continental Congress Committees of Correspondence spread word and First Continental Congress is held in September 1774 56 delegates meet in Philadelphia Defend colonies right to run their own affairs. Support protest in Massachusetts Stated if British used force against the colonies they would fight back Agreed to reconvene in May 1775

Following First Continental Congress, Minutemen, or civilian soldiers, begin to stockpile arms. Spring 1775-General Cage sends agents toward Concorde in search of the weapons stockpiles They return with maps as well as the location of John Hancock and Sam Adams, both of which were in hiding Cage sends orders men march to Concord and destroy munitions stockpiles

The War Begins “The Regulars are Coming” April 18 1775 With Hancock and Adams in hiding, Joseph Warren is in charge in Boston Warren hears word that British soldiers will march on Concord to seize Adams and Hancock Orders Paul Revere to warn them April 18 1775 Revere, William Dawes, and Samuel Prescott rode out to spread the word that 700 British regulars, or soldiers, were coming

“Glorious Day for America” British troops meet 70 minutemen on the Lexington countryside Fighting breaks out and 8 minutemen and 1 redcoat die Battle lasted only 15 Minutes Marks the first battle of the Revolutionary War