1. Crisis in the Colonies, 1745–1775
The American Nation
Chapter 5:
Crisis in the Colonies, 1745–1775
Section 2: Turmoil Over Taxation

2. Turmoil Over Taxation
Chapter 5, Section 2
How did Britain attempt to ease growing tensions on the American frontier?
How did the colonists react to new taxes imposed by Parliament?
Which new colonial leaders emerged as the conflict with Britain escalated?
What events led to the Boston Massacre?

3. Easing Tensions on the American Frontier
Chapter 5, Section 2
After the war, British colonists headed west to claim land.
British settlers clashed with the Native American nations in the Ohio Valley.
Britain sent Amherst to keep order. He raised the price of trade goods to Indians and allowed settlers on Indian lands.

4. Easing Tensions on the American Frontier
Chapter 5, Section 2
In Pontiac’s War, angry Indian nations joined in an attack on British forts in the Ohio country.
When the French told the Indians they could no longer help, the Indian nations stopped fighting.
The British issued the Proclamation of 1763, drawing an imaginary line along the Appalachians. Colonists were forbidden west of the line.

5. Parliament Imposes New Taxes
Chapter 5, Section 2
Colonists settle on Indian lands in the west
Pontiac’s War breaks out on the frontier
Proclamation of 1763 stops settlement in the west
Stationing British troops in the colonies proves costly
British government decides American colonists should help pay for troops
Sugar and Stamp Acts burden colonists with new taxes
Stormy protests break out in many colonies

6. Parliament Imposes New Taxes
Chapter 5, Section 2
British Action
Sugar Act of 1764
What It Did
Lowered the tax on molasses; made it easier for British officials to try colonial smugglers.
Colonial Reaction
Stamp Act of 1765
Placed new duties on legal documents; taxes newspapers, almanacs, playing cards, and dice.
Colonists protested angrily.
Colonists coined the slogan “No Taxation Without Representation.”
Colonists united. Delegates met in a Stamp Act Congress.
The Congress drew up a petition, a formal written request to someone in authority, signed by a group of people.
Colonists boycotted, or refused to buy, British goods.
Parliament repealed, or canceled, the Stamp Act.

7. Parliament Imposes New Taxes
Chapter 5, Section 2
British Action
Townshend Acts of 1767
What It Did
Taxed goods such as glass, paper, paint, lead, and tea.
Set up new ways to collect taxes, including writs of assistance, legal documents that allowed officers to inspect another person’s property without giving a reason.
Colonial Reaction
Colonial merchants and planters signed agreement to stop importing taxed goods.
Sons of Liberty and Daughters of Liberty, mock hangings, petitions, boycotts, threats.

8. Colonial Leaders
Chapter 5, Section 2
Samuel Adams of Massachusetts was a talented organizer. He arranged protests and stirred public support.
John Adams of Massachusetts had a knowledge of British law that earned him respect.
Mercy Otis Warren of Massachusetts wrote plays that made fun of British officials.
Abigail Adams of Massachusetts wrote to spur colonists to action.
George Washington of Virginia joined in protesting the Townshend Acts.
Patrick Henry of Virginia gave speeches that stirred others to action.
Thomas Jefferson of Virginia was a rising law student.

9. The Boston Massacre
Chapter 5, Section 2
Britain sent soldiers to Boston to protect customs officials.
Bostonians saw the British as bullies and insulted or even assaulted the British soldiers.
On March 5, 1770, Bostonians gathered outside the Boston customs house, shouting insults and throwing things at the British guards.
Suddenly, panicked soldiers fired into the crowd, killing some colonists.
Colonists protested the incident, calling it the Boston Massacre.
The soldiers were tried, but John Adams defended them and was able to win light sentences for them.
Samuel Adams formed a committee of correspondence, a group that regularly wrote letters and pamphlets reporting to other colonies on events in Massachusetts.

10. Section 2 Assessment
Chapter 5, Section 2
Britain’s main reason for taxing the colonies was that
a) it expected the colonists to help pay the costs of the French and Indian War.
b) it gave them an excuse to bring smugglers to trial.
c) it expected the colonists to pay the costs of the Proclamation of 1763.
d) it wanted to make the colonists feel closer to Great Britain.
Colonists said they objected to the Stamp Act and other taxes mainly because
a) the taxes were too high.
b) the taxes would not go to help the colonies.
c) the tax laws were passed by a Parliament in which colonists had no representatives.
d) the taxes were too low to do any good.

11. Section 2 Assessment
Chapter 5, Section 2
Britain’s main reason for taxing the colonies was that
a) it expected the colonists to help pay the costs of the French and Indian War.
b) it gave them an excuse to bring smugglers to trial.
c) it expected the colonists to pay the costs of the Proclamation of 1763.
d) it wanted to make the colonists feel closer to Great Britain.
Colonists said they objected to the Stamp Act and other taxes mainly because
a) the taxes were too high.
b) the taxes would not go to help the colonies.
c) the tax laws were passed by a Parliament in which colonists had no representatives.
d) the taxes were too low to do any good.