Introduction to US History/Discontent
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Stamp Act 1765
[edit | edit source]The Colonists began becoming dissatisfied with the taxes imposed by the British Parliament. Patrick Henry's cry of "No taxation without representation" became famous throughout the 13 colonies. The major event that created resistance with the British was the Stamp Act. The source of Patrick Henry's slogan originates from a 1765 decision by the British Parliament which executed a tax on all prints of paper, including newspapers and legal documents. Anyone who wanted to print a paper must buy a "revenue stamp". This was created in order to offset the expenses created during British warfare. Previously, the colonists paid to their local government and not directly to the governors.
The Quartering Act of 1765 stated that colonists were obliged to provide shelter, transportation, and food/water to stationed troops across the colonies. Almost all colonies refuse to follow this law. Both acts were imposed to signify the British's control over the colonists, which further incited the desire for independence.
The colonists saw the Stamp Act as obstruction of their rights as British subjects. The unwritten British constitution allowed taxation for those that voted (or "represented" themselves in government). The colonists believed they didn't have representation in the way how things were running in the colonies (in the House of Commons), therefore they didn't consent to taxes - something that was against British law. Much to the contrary of the British's idea that the colonists depended on them, the colonists banded together and protested against the "tyranny" of the British government. Patrick Henry proposed the Virginia Stamp Act Resolutions in front of the House of Burgesses, which denounced "taxation without representation".
In the fall of 1765, representatives from 9 colonies, grouped up in New York in response to the Massachusetts Assembly sending letters to the colonies asking for a meeting to discuss the act, agreed on the Declaration of Rights and Grievances - stating that they believed the act impeded the economy and their liberty as loyal British subjects. Meanwhile, the Sons of Liberty and the Daughters of Liberty organized boycotts of British goods and massive protests, some of which turned violent and were border-lined terroristic. Women played a major role in the resistance against the British by refusing to buy British goods and services.
Back at home, King George III dismissed George Grenville due to his inability to control the situation and deteriorating popularity. The people were divided on this: some agreed with the colonists while others were appalled. British merchants wanted the acts to be repealed so that their businesses could prosper. In response to the chaos, the Stamp Act was repealed and, in replacement, the Declaratory Act (1766) was imposed. It basically asserted British power over the Americas.
Reasoning
[edit | edit source]Although we are taught that the civil war took place for freedom, it actually was for money. The mercantilistic British were able to tone down the colony's ability to gain money, thereby limiting them. The British employed the colonists to export more than you import, trade with England only, and not establish their own type of currency. John Hancock abused the system by smuggling products to/from foreign markets, amassing wealth.
Post Stamp Act era
[edit | edit source]The Stamp Act was imposed in order to "protect the colonists". The colonists believed that the French were out/Indians weren't aggressive, questioned the timing, and still believed in representation. Benjamin Franklin tried representing the colonists in England, but was humiliated and turned to the Americas. Afterward massive protests/boycotts and violence by the Sons of Liberty, they repealed the Act and implemented the Declaratory Act.
In 1767, the Townshed Acts were implemented. This act imposed heavy taxes on tea, glass, lead, and paper.
Tensions increased as a result and some colonists resorted to taunting British soldiers. This annoyance eventually lead to the Boston Massacre in 1770, where 3 colonists were killed by 9 soldiers. Although protrayed erraneously as a "massacre" by Paul Revere, the reality was it was a riot. The British soldiers reasonably believed their lives were at risk as missiles, including stones, were thrown at them - and they defended themselves, as any other person would do if they believed their life was in danger.
Boston Tea Party
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Coming towards 1773, the Townshed Acts were repealed for all items except tea. This led to the Boston Tea Party, which was the major turning point of the conflicts between the British and the colonists. Other cities, such as Annapolis, also rejected and destroyed tea ships. The Intolerable Acts of 1774 were implemented as a result of the Tea Party, which closed the Boston Harbor until the citizens payed for the damages of the tea (about 75k at the time, amassing over a million dollars in present-day USA). Town meetings were restricted and British soldiers who shot/killed colonists would be shipped back to England and pay for their crimes.
The Continental Congress was created the very same year of the Intolerable Acts, where all of the colonies except for Georgia came together and demanded that the British apologize for their oppressive legislation (they did not seek independence). They went back to boycotting British goods.