A Road to Revolution

1. A Road to Revolution An Interactive Decision Process With Primary Source Documents By Jason Dreier

2. French-Indian Fallout • The cost of war left the British looking to repay the debts from protecting the colonies • The British decided to station troops in the colonies and were looking to cover this cost as well • In order to pay for the war in the colonies (or the extension of the Seven Years War), Parliament passed a series of taxes for the colonists to cover this cost

3. Proclamation of 1763 • The British wanted to keep the peace after the French Indian War • To do this, Parliament forbade the colonists from settling west of the Appalachian Mountains • Many colonists felt this was unfair after fighting with their countrymen in a war which they thought would gain them more land

4. Quartering Act • Parliament passed this law to address the problems faced during the French Indian War • The time delay in sending troops to fight was too large to be effective • Parliament instead chose to pass the act to house troops in colonists’ houses

5. Sugar Act • This was another action by Parliament to recoup the cost of the French Indian War • It was an INDIRECT TAX • Colonists didn’t pay it like you would a sales tax, instead merchants paid the tax and passed on the cost to store owners. This made it seem like the cost of sugar “just went up”. • Colonists didn’t particularly mind or notice it too much

6. Stamp Act • This was a DIRECT tax (like a sales tax) on all printed goods in the colonies. EVEN playing cards and dice • Many colonists didn’t like this tax because they lacked a voting member in Parliament • Soon colonists were organizing and the Sons of Liberty had formed

7. Sons of Liberty • Secret Organization that met to discuss opposition to Parliamentary Acts passed without colonist representation • Many members promised to oppose the taxes no matter the cost – down to the last dollar Join Don’t Join

8. Welcome to the Sons of Liberty! • As a member of the Sons of Liberty you work to inform others of the wrongdoings of Parliament • You also engage in persuasion tactics when necessary

9. Organize! • After the passing of the Stamp Act you and other members of your group have organized a boycott on all items affected by this tax • The hope is that Parliament will come to their senses and do away with the tax or at least give colonists a voice in Parliament

10. Boycott? • Other colonists are trying to organize a boycott on all items affected by the Stamp Act. • You have to decide if you are going to participate in the boycott or continue to pay the British taxes Pay the taxes because you need the goods Pay the taxes because you are loyal to Britain Boycott

11. SUCCESS!! • The Boycott of the Stamp Act has worked and Parliament has repealed the Stamp Act. • This victory has helped gain support for the Sons of Liberty and has shown that colonists have a way to voice their opinion to the British Parliament.

12. Townshend Acts • Although the boycott has worked, Parliament has passed the Townshend Acts, placing an indirect tax on glass, lead, paint, paper, and tea. • These taxes were created to pay for royal officials in the colonies so organizations such as the Sons of Liberty could not withhold wages to coerce, or force, the officials to disobey tax laws

13. Townshend Acts • The colonists’ boycott has forced Parliament’s hand, and Parliament has repealed the Stamp Act • Parliament has passed the Townshend Acts in response to this. These acts are designed to fund British officials in the colonies and pay for troop protection of the colonies. • All British subjects pay taxes, colonists are no different.

14. Writs of Assistance • The Townshend Acts have also allowed British officers (the same officers that the Sons of Liberty “influenced”) to issue warrants to look for illegal and smuggled goods in colonists’ homes • These officers have the sole power to issue the writs and may do so only under suspicion Pay the taxes as a British subject and allow writs to take place Boycott the Acts

15. Writs of Assistance • The Townshend Acts also allowed British officials to rid dangerous anti-British colonists of smuggled and illegal goods and weapons • This provision was added to the Townshend Acts to keep the colonies safe for British subjects. Continue to pay the taxes as a British subject and support Great Britain Boycott the Acts

16. Common Sense – Thomas Paine • It has been said that America needs Great Britain to continue to succeed. Is that not the same as saying a child who was raised on his mother’s milk will never need meat? America will continue to succeed without the parent country, and shame on Britain for hindering us. America deserves to be free, with free trade to all of Europe, yet we will not have this until we cast off Britain and accept true self government as our natural right. • Modified Primary Source • Common Sense • Thomas Paine Continue*

17. Free Thoughts on the Proceedings… -Samuel Seabury • It is unreasonable to think that colonists would be able to threaten the great government of Great Britain into satisfying our demands. The mere strength of Britain’s military would wipe us out, and yet she chooses to humble us without hurting herself. Independently, we have no means to protect ourselves. No navy to protect our trade ships, and no army to protect against foreign invaders, no influence with foreign nations, and no ambassadors, and no means to acquire these things. Britain has provided all of these for us and she commands respect throughout the globe. It may be right to contend for our rights, but we must do so legally. The Sons of Liberty and other political groups are only harming our chances of representation in Parliament. • Modified Primary Source • Free Thoughts on the Proceedings… • Samuel Seabury Continue*

18. Choose • A crowd is gathering around a group of British soldiers in front of a government building. They express anger towards the government and begin trading insults with the troops Leave the crowd and continue to silently support the British Government Join the crowd and begin to aggravate the troops Gather with the crowd but remain passive in the protest

19. Boston Massacre • You have joined the crowd and they have begun to throw ice balls at the troops. The soldiers fire into the crowd and you have died. Your death is portrayed as a heroic act in the colonies and will no doubt be remembered by the Sons of Liberty in their fight against tyranny.

20. Boston Massacre • You have joined the back of the crowd, and narrowly escaped death at the hands of the British tyrants. • Some colonists feel the soldiers should be tried and convicted for murder, while others felt that a fair trial for the soldiers was necessary.

21. Boston Massacre • As you walked away from the crowd, you heard shots ring out. Soldiers had fired into the crowd killing five. • You had seen members of the mob beginning to form ice balls and guess that the soldiers fired warning shots. Although five are dead, you suspect that the colonists provoked the shooting.

22. Townshend Repealed • The boycott on the Townshend Acts has also been successful and Parliament has repealed all acts except for the Tea Act. This act is a tax on tea imported to the colonies. Although tea is actually cheaper than it had been in the past, many feel that taxation without Parliamentary representation is still unjust. Accept the cheaper tea and allow the tax to continue Protest the Tea Act

23. Boston Tea Party • You have participated in an open act of rebellion against the British Government. Dumping tea in Boston harbor has led the British to close down the port of Boston, ban town meetings, and take control of Massachusetts colony. • A secret meeting is planned to discuss action to protest the Intolerable Acts, as they have come to be known in the colonies.

24. Boston Tea Party • You hear that a group of colonists vandalized British ships and dumped tea in the harbor. As a Bostonian, you are now subject to new British laws that have closed down the harbor, forbidden town meetings, and given almost total rule to British officials • Given your lack of support for colonial actions, you are cast as an outsider and have put yourself at risk for social backlash Be an active supporter of the British and voice your support for Britain Be a passive supporter of the British and mind your own business

25. Loyalist/Redcoat • You have supported the British in the Revolutionary War and have become a British solider. The land that you had once had in the colonies will never be returned, and you have returned to Britain poorer than you had left.

26. Loyalist • You have chosen to passively support the British and are held in contempt by both sides. You have not joined either side and are subject to the laws of the victorious Continental Army. You remain a minority voice for the rest of your days.

27. Assignment • Using the sources available to you in this presentation, you are to write an article supporting either the British or the Sons of Liberty/Colonists. Be sure to include facts and your personal reasons for choosing a side. • Rubric: (20 points for each) ____ 3 facts on why you support that side ____ Personal reasons for choosing that side ____Neat/Creative ____At least 2 pictures on your newspaper article ____ Historically accurate date