Timeline Details
1763-The Proclamation of 1763
Among the first acts of British Parliament following the French and Indian War in the colonies was to set a boundary to colonial expansion along the Appalachian Mountains. This boundary prevented colonists from settlements west of the Appalachians in what was reserved for Indian territory. The goal of the act was to prevent further conflict between natives and colonists.
1765-The Stamp Act
following the issuance of the Proclamation of 1763, England under the proposal of Lord George Grenville, passed the Stamp Act on the colonies in an effort to raise money to pay off the war debt accrued during the French and Indian War.
The act, in which a tax was placed on paper products, required colonists to pay for the use of all paper documents.
Outraged by the new tax, the colonists protested and refused to pay in many instances.
They argued that since they had no representation in Parliament, they had no say in the tax, therefore it did not apply.
They cried "No taxation without Representation"
1770-The Boston Massacre
This refers to an incident between Bostonian colonists and British troops in which 5 Bostonians ended up dead after being fired upon by British troops. Although not a real 'massacre' per say the event had a huge effect on the Patriot movement in the colonies. Paul Revere's famous etching of the event, helped turn many to the side of patriotism.
John Adams, lawyer, plays an important role as the defense attorney for the British troops as well.
1773-The Tea Act and the Boston Tea Party
As a result of colonial boycotts of British goods following the Townshend Acts England was faced with a sort of economic crisis.
In England there were roughly 17 million pounds of unsold British tea just sitting around. The colonists had been buying tea from the Dutch.
In order to entice the sales of British tea over Dutch tea the British enact the Tea Act
This act repealed many of the taxes of the Townshend Acts, but only reduced the price of tea to that below the current price of Dutch tea.
The Tea Act also instituted a monopoly for the British East India Company. This meant that colonial merchants and citizens could only purchase and sell British tea.
Patriots vs. Loyalists
Patriots
The abuses of the British government have lead to the denial of basic rights in the colonies.
"No Taxation Without Representation" -Denial of Self Government
the maintaining of a standing army in the colonies in time of peace.
What rights have been denied?
Right to self-government
Right to property
Right to privacy
Right to pursue one's happiness
Right to life
Loyalists
Remaining loyal to the British is the best course of actions. The colonies will be better off if they remain w/England.
they will have the protection of the British military against foreign powers
they will benefit from Britain's established economy and systems of trade.
the colonies would be weak without England
weak politically, economically and militarily
It is the unruly colonists (protesting Patriots) who need to change their attitudes and behavior.
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