Great Britain Raises Taxes Great Britain had won the French and Indian War, but it was expensive. How was Great Britain going to pay for the war?

Great Britain Raises Taxes Tax the colonists Sugar Act: sets duties on molasses and sugar imported by colonists

Sugar Tax

Taxation without Representation Parliament’s actions upset many colonists who had grown used to being independent. Many believed Great Britain had no right to tax the colonies without their consent.

Taxation Without Representation They cannot “take from any man any part of his property, without his consent in person or by representation.”

The colonists had no direct representatives in Parliament. Colonial assemblies had little influence on Parliament.

Taxation without Representation Samuel Adams Believed Parliament could not tax colonists without their consent. Slogan “No Taxation without Representation”

Taxation without Representation

Adams helped found the Committees of Correspondence: each committee got in touch with other towns and colonies to share ideas and information about the new British laws and ways to challenge them.

Taxation without Representation

Popular form of protest was a boycott of British goods Hoping to hurt British economy and influence Parliament

The Stamp Act required colonists to pay for an official stamp, or seal, when they bought paper items.

The Stamp Act The tax had to be paid on legal documents, licenses, newspapers, pamphlets, and even playing cards. If colonists refused to pay the tax they could be sent to jail.

The Stamp Act

This was a direct tax on the colonists. Britain did expect this tax to spark protest. First direct tax.

The Stamp Act Sons of Liberty formed to protest tax.

The Stamp Act

The colonists pressured Parliament to repeal the Stamp Act London merchants complained that their trade suffered from the colonial boycott. Parliament repealed the Stamp Act in 1766

Townshend Acts Placed duties on glass, lead, paints, paper, and tea. British officials allowed to search for smuggled goods. Colonists responded by boycotting British goods.

Townshend Acts