Early British Actions The Stamp Act and The Quartering Act

The Proclamation of 1763 The British government faced a number of problems after the French and Indian War. How to keep colonists and Native Americans from killing each other King George III said to “draw” a line down the crest of the Appalachian Mountains Settlers stay to the east of the line Indians stay to the west of the line.

The Proclamation of 1763

To the Americans the Proclamation seemed like tyranny. Colonists argued that lands east of the Appalachians were already mostly settled and the only place farmers could find more land was west of the Appalachians. The Proclamation was too late – settlers were already crossing the mountains. British government ignored colonists’ arguments. To keep peace on the frontier, Britain expanded the British army in America to 7,500 men.

The Stamp Act The British government also had to pay off the debt of the French and Indian War. Solution to the debt problem came from British Prime Minister George Grenville (leader of the British government) People in Britain were already paying taxes on everything from windows to salt. American colonists were lightly taxed and Grenville decided it was time for colonists to pay their share of the cost of protection.

The Stamp Act In 1765, Grenville proposed a new act (law) called the Stamp Act. Required colonists to buy a stamp for every piece of paper they used. Newspapers had to be printed on stamped paper. Wills, licenses and playing cards had to have stamps.

The Stamp Act It was not just the idea of higher taxes that upset the colonists. Colonists were willing to pay taxes passed by their own assemblies where their representatives could vote on them. Colonists had no representatives in British Parliament. They argued that Parliament had no right to tax them and that the Stamp Act was a violation of their rights.

The Stamp Act NO TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION!!!

The Stamp Act Some colonists protested the Stamp Act by sending messages to Parliament. Loyalists refused to buy stamps. Patriots took more violent action. Mobs calling themselves “Sons of Liberty” attacked tax collectors’ homes.

The Stamp Act Protestors in Connecticut started to bury one tax collector alive. Only when he heard the dirt being shoveled onto his coffin did he agree to resign from his job.

The Stamp Act After months of protest, Parliament repealed the Stamp Act. Americans were thrilled with the news of the repealed Stamp Act. Everyone hoped the troubles with Britain were over.

The Quartering Act As anger over the Stamp Act began to fade, Americans noticed another law passed by Parliament in 1765 called the Quartering Act. The Quartering Act ordered colonial assemblies to provide British troops with quarters/housing. The colonists also had to provide candles, firewood, bedding, cooking utensils, salt, vinegar, beer, cider, etc. Providing for the soldiers cost the colonists money.

The Quartering Act Colonists believed that the cost of providing housing and supplies for the soldiers was the same as paying taxes. Colonists argued that they should not have to pay for soldiers who just took up space and did nothing. In 1767, the New York assembly decided not to vote any funds for “salt, vinegar and liquor.” The British government reacted by refusing to let the assembly meet until it agreed to obey the Quartering Act. Tempers were rising again between the British and American Colonists.