New Taxes and New Taxes and TensionsTensions6.46.4

The Townshend ActsThe Townshend Acts Was a series of taxes on glass, paper, Was a series of taxes on glass, paper,

paint, lead, and tea.paint, lead, and tea. This money paid for military costs and This money paid for military costs and

the salaries of colonial governorsthe salaries of colonial governors The Writs of Assistance was used to The Writs of Assistance was used to

enforce the Townshend Actsenforce the Townshend Acts They gave British officials the power to They gave British officials the power to

search homes and businesses for search homes and businesses for smuggled goods.smuggled goods.

Colonial ReactionColonial Reaction Colonists hated the new laws because they Colonists hated the new laws because they

violated colonists’ rightsviolated colonists’ rights The first response was to boycott these British The first response was to boycott these British

goods.goods. Secondly, groups such as the Sons of Liberty Secondly, groups such as the Sons of Liberty

held protests in the street to gain support for held protests in the street to gain support for “Taxation without representation”“Taxation without representation”

The Sons of Liberty also began attacking The Sons of Liberty also began attacking customs officialscustoms officials

Daughters of Liberty was a group of women who Daughters of Liberty was a group of women who supported the boycottsupported the boycott

Protest of the Townshend Protest of the Townshend ActsActs

Colonial legislatures also protested the Colonial legislatures also protested the Townshend ActsTownshend Acts

Samuel Adams wrote a letter stating that the Samuel Adams wrote a letter stating that the acts violated the legal rights of colonistsacts violated the legal rights of colonists

The Massachusetts legislature sent this letter to The Massachusetts legislature sent this letter to other colonies asking for their helpother colonies asking for their help

In a few short months several legislatures voted In a few short months several legislatures voted to join the protest against the Townshend Actsto join the protest against the Townshend Acts

In response, British soldiers arrive in Boston to In response, British soldiers arrive in Boston to restore orderrestore order

The Boston MassacreThe Boston Massacre In 1770, a group of protesters gathered near a In 1770, a group of protesters gathered near a

British dock across the street from a tax British dock across the street from a tax collection housecollection house

British troops were on guard at the office and British troops were on guard at the office and were being insulted by the crowd.were being insulted by the crowd.

A fight broke out and the British troops opened A fight broke out and the British troops opened fire. Five unarmed men lay in the street after fire. Five unarmed men lay in the street after the smoke cleared.the smoke cleared.

The Townshend acts were repealed within a The Townshend acts were repealed within a monthmonth

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iloGkp5f_Hk

The Tea ActThe Tea Act After the Boston Massacre England repealed After the Boston Massacre England repealed

the Townshend Acts but kept the tax on teathe Townshend Acts but kept the tax on tea This forced colonists to buy tea only from a This forced colonists to buy tea only from a

certain English tea company as well as placed certain English tea company as well as placed a tax on the tea.a tax on the tea.

Once again, the colonists feel they are being Once again, the colonists feel they are being punished and become angry. They feel punished and become angry. They feel England will back down once again.England will back down once again.

The Boston Tea PartyThe Boston Tea Party On December 16, 1773, many members On December 16, 1773, many members

of the Sons of Liberty gathered in Boston of the Sons of Liberty gathered in Boston Harbor dressed as Natives.Harbor dressed as Natives.

They boarded a British Tea ship, and They boarded a British Tea ship, and dumped all of the tea overboard.dumped all of the tea overboard.

When they finished, they cleaned up the When they finished, they cleaned up the ship and made sure nothing else was ship and made sure nothing else was damaged.damaged.

England RespondsEngland Responds England had enough of the colonies at this England had enough of the colonies at this

point and chooses to punish them more point and chooses to punish them more severely than ever before.severely than ever before.

The The Intolerable Acts Intolerable Acts are passed.are passed. They included:They included:

Shutting down Boston HarborShutting down Boston Harbor Getting rid of the Mass. Colonial governmentGetting rid of the Mass. Colonial government Allowed British troops to stay and do as they Allowed British troops to stay and do as they

pleased without standing trial.pleased without standing trial. Quartering ActQuartering Act British General became the new governor of Mass.British General became the new governor of Mass.