Embedded Files
#25 The Quartering Act 1765
Instructional Goal
Instructional Goal
I will be able to explain why the Quartering Act of 1765 upset the colonists and how documents and images help us understand their reactions.
Hook
Hook
Imagine the President sends federal officers to live in your home. Your family has to give them food, space, and supplies — and you must comply.
How would you feel?
What would you do?
Essential Questions
Essential Questions
1. What should people do when a rule feels unfair?
Connection to News Article:
https://www.usnews.com/news/national-news/articles/2021-01-13/dc-guard-troops-sleeping-at-us-capitol-resting-not-lodged-there
Vocabulary
Vocabulary
Petition – A written request asking leaders to change something.
Quartering Act of 1765 – A law that forced colonists to house and feed British soldiers.
Loyalist – A colonist who supported the British government.
What is an Act?
An act is a law or rule made by a government.
The Affordable Care Act (2010) – “Obamacare”
A law that helps more Americans get health insurance and protects people with pre-existing health problems.
Quartering Act of 1765 — Historical Context
Quartering Act of 1765 — Historical Context
1- The Quartering Act of 1765 was a law passed by the British Parliament that required American colonists to provide housing and basic supplies for British soldiers. This could include giving them a place to sleep, food, candles, and firewood.
2- Britain believed this was fair because soldiers were in the colonies to protect the colonists and keep order. But many colonists felt the law was unfair and costly.
3- Colonist argued that they should not have to pay for soldiers they didn’t ask for, especially when they had no voice in British government decisions.
4- The Quartering Act added to the growing tension between Britain and the colonies. It became one more reason why many colonists began to protest British control, leading closer to the American Revolution.
Reading Comprehension: Individual
Paragraph 1:
What did the Quartering Act force colonists to give to British soldiers?
Paragraph 2:
Why did Britain think the law was fair?
Why did colonists think it was not fair?
Paragraph 3:
Why did colonists say they shouldn’t have to pay for British soldiers?
Critical Thinking:
Paying taxes without having a voice is similar to what popular phrase?
Prior Knowledge:
Have you learned about any other British laws or actions that also made the colonists angry? Which ones?
PRIMARY SOURCE
Legislative Petition Opposing The Quartering Act, 1767
New York General Assembly, Petition to the Royal Governor, Sir Henry Moore, 15 December 1766
1- What is this letter (opposing) petitioning?
2- Who wrote this letter?
3- Who are they petitioning?
4- When was it written?
LEVEL - Difficult
#1 - Excerpts: We, His Majesty’s most dutiful and loyal Subjects, the General Assembly of the Colony of New York, have taken your Excellency’s message of the 17th of November last, into our most serious Consideration:
#2 - and beg Leave to assure your Excellency that nothing would give us a greater Pleasure than to find it in our Power to comply with every Requisition tending in any manner to promote His Majesty’s Service.
#3 - It is therefore with great Concern that we find it impossible to comply with what is now demanded, consistent with our Obligations to our Constituents [citizens of the colony]…
Question #1: What do you think:
"His Majesty’s most dutiful and loyal Subjects" means?
Question #2: What does the Assembly claim is their greatest desire in this statement?
A) To oppose the Royal Governor's message and encourage a revolution.
B) To find a way to make money from the Quartering Act demands
.
C) To fully agree with and carry out all requests that help the King's service
.
D) To only comply with requests that specifically benefit the New York colony.
Question #3: Why did the New York Assembly refuse to follow the King's demand?
A) They did not have enough money to pay for the British soldiers.
B) The King's request was against the laws of Great Britain itself.
C) The King's request went against their duty to the colonists who elected them.
D) They wanted to wait for advice from the assemblies of the other colonies.
⭐ Simplified Reading
⭐ Simplified Reading
Excerpt #1
“We are loyal to the King.
We, the New York Assembly, have read your message carefully.”
Excerpt #1
“We are loyal to the King.
We, the New York Assembly, have read your message carefully.”
Excerpt #2
“We want to help the King.
We want to follow all the requests that support him.”
Excerpt #2
“We want to help the King.
We want to follow all the requests that support him.”
Excerpt #3
“But we cannot follow this request.
It goes against what we promised our people.”
Excerpt #3
“But we cannot follow this request.
It goes against what we promised our people.”
Image Analysis
“The Bostonians Paying the Excise-Man,
or Tarring and Feathering.”
What is the title of this image?
Create a Timeline in your notebook with images.
British Acts Passed After the French & Indian War
Create a Timeline in your notebook with images.
British Acts Passed After the French & Indian War
1763 – Proclamation of 1763
Effect: Stopped colonists from moving west of the Appalachian Mountains. Colonists felt limited and angry.
1763 – Proclamation of 1763
Effect: Stopped colonists from moving west of the Appalachian Mountains. Colonists felt limited and angry.
1764 – Sugar Act
Effect: Taxed sugar and molasses. Colonists complained that Britain was raising taxes without asking them.
"No taxation without representation."
1764 – Sugar Act
Effect: Taxed sugar and molasses. Colonists complained that Britain was raising taxes without asking them.
"No taxation without representation."
1765 – Stamp Act
Effect: Put a tax on paper items like newspapers, cards, and legal documents. This caused major protests.
1765 – Stamp Act
Effect: Put a tax on paper items like newspapers, cards, and legal documents. This caused major protests.
1765 – Quartering Act
Effect: Colonists had to provide housing and supplies for British soldiers. Many felt this was unfair and expensive.
1765 – Quartering Act
Effect: Colonists had to provide housing and supplies for British soldiers. Many felt this was unfair and expensive.
Match the Image with the Act
Historical Context
Historical Context
This image shows a scene from the years right before the American Revolution, when many colonists were angry at Great Britain for creating new taxes without giving them a say.
In the picture, colonists are tarring and feathering a British tax worker, a violent way to publicly shame someone.
The colonists felt Britain was abusing its power, and scenes like this show the rising tension, protests, and resistance that pushed the colonies closer to declaring independence.
Historical Context means the background information about what was happening at that time in history.
#1 – What is the Historical Context of this image?
Using your notes or your best guess, explain what was happening in history at this time. (Summarize)
#2 - (Bias) - Point of View Options - PICK ONE!
A. - Loyalist (Supports Britain):
The image makes the colonists look violent and out of control.
B. - Patriot (Against Britain):
The image shows colonists taking action because they believe British taxes are unfair.
#4 – What violent action are the colonists doing to the tax collector?
#5 - Describe what you see and explain the emotions of the people involved.
#6 – The man being attacked is a tax collector. Do you think they had the right to treat him this way? Explain your thinking.
#7 - Predictions:
Based on this image, where the colonists are abusing the tax collector, what do you predict the King will do when he hears about this?
Answer Choices: Pick 2!
Answer Choices: Pick 2!
He might punish the colonies by creating even stricter laws.
He might send more soldiers to control the colonists.
He will apologize to the colonists and remove all taxes immediately.
He will ignore the situation because it is not important to him.
Exit Ticket and Assessment
🎭 Quartering Act Role-Play Challenge (1765)
🎭 Quartering Act Role-Play Challenge (1765)
📜 Historical Context
📜 Historical Context
Before the American Revolution, the British Parliament passed several laws to raise money from the colonies. After a major war, Britain needed to keep soldiers in America, but they didn't want to pay for them!
The Quartering Act of 1765 was a law that forced colonial governments (like the one in New York) to pay for supplies and quarters (lodging) for the British troops.
The colonists hated this because they had no representatives in the British Parliament, so they felt they were being taxed without their consent.
The Scene: Knock-Knock! Who's There?
The Scene: Knock-Knock! Who's There?
It is 1765 in New York City. You are a homeowner with your family (Husband, Wife, Children). Suddenly, a British soldier is knocking on your door to demand lodging or supplies!
The Challenge!
The Challenge!
In your groups, write a short, dramatic play (a dialogue) of 5–7 spoken lines for each person. You will read this script aloud to the class.
You can include a Narrator to start and end the scene or quickly explain a setting change!
Required Roles and Dialogue
Required Roles and Dialogue
You need at least one Family Member and one British Soldier.
I recommend at least 4 family members and 2 soldiers.
Your Required Lines Must Include
a Simple Explanation of the following:
Colonist:
The exact phrase: "No taxation without representation."
You must complain that Britain is making you pay for things without your leaders voting on it, and the husband must object to troops being near his wife and children.
BRITISH SOLDIER
The exact name: "Quartering Act." and a direct warning about criminal charges if they refuse.
You must explain that this is a law that makes the colony provide supplies, and warn them that if they refuse to cooperate, they will be arrested!
💡 Ideas for Your Script (What to Talk About)
💡 Ideas for Your Script (What to Talk About)
Safety: "I will not have strange men near my family! That is an invasion of my home."
Threat: "If you refuse to quarter us, the King has ordered you will be charged with a criminal act!"
Money: "We just paid the Stamp Tax! Now we have to pay for your candles too?"
Orders: "I don't care about politics, I only follow the law passed by Parliament."
Space: "I'm not giving you my son/daughter room! They will be devastated!"
Needs: "It's cold and wet. We need food and a place to sleep, and the law says you must provide it."
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