Uniting the Colonies

1. Uniting the Colonies Chapter 5, Lesson 2

2. Trouble in Massachusetts • Protests continued in the colonies and British Officials began to get nervous and sent a message to Great Britain in 1768. • Believed they were on the brink of a rebellion (rejection of authority) • Parliament would send troops to the center of Boston and the colonist thought this was too far. • Believed that first the British past laws that violated rights and now they were occupying (taking control) of their cities.

3. Trouble in Massachusetts • Matters would become worse since the “Redcoats” (nickname given to British soldiers) would be rude to the colonist. • Redcoats were generally poor with little pay • Would steal from colonial shops. • Got into fights with colonists. • Competed for jobs that Bostonians wanted.

4. Tension in the Streets • On March 5, 1770, “the Boston Massacre” occurred. • A fight broke out between Bostonians and Red coats. • As British officers tried to calm the crowds a man shouted: “We did not send for you. We will not have you here. We’ll get rid of you, we’ll drive you away!” • The townspeople moved forward and began throwing sticks and stones at the soldiers.

5. Tension in the Streets “Come on, you rascals, you bloody backs, you lobster scoundrels, fire, if you dare!” • When one soldier was knocked down the nervous redcoats did attack, killing five colonist. • Among the dead was Crispus Attucks, who was part African, part Native American. • One Bostonian cried: “Are the inhabitants to be knocked down in the streets? Are they to be murdered…?”

6. Spreading News • Colonial leaders used the killings as propaganda (information used to influence people). • Samuel Adams put up posters describing the Boston Massacre as a slaughter of innocent Americans by bloodthirsty redcoats. • Paul Revere made an engraving that showed a British officer giving the order to open fire on an orderly crowd. • Boycotts became stronger, and eventually lead parliament to repealed all the Townshend Acts taxes on British imported goods, except tea. • Trade with Britain began again.

7. Spreading News • In 1772 Samuel Adams revived the Boston committee of correspondence, and circulated calls for action against Britain. • Soon committees sprang up throughout the colonies, bringing together protestors opposed to British measurers.

8. Crisis in Boston • The British East India Company was vital to British economy and was failing due to colonist failing to import it. • To help save the company and protect the British economy, Parliament pass the Tea Act. • It gave the company control of the market for tea. • Removed some but not all taxes on tea to make it more affordable. • Colonist did not like this. • Did not want to be told what tea to buy or pay taxes at all.

9. Crisis in Boston • Colonial Merchants urged for a new boycott. • Colonist vowed to stop the East India Company from unloading their ships. • Daughters of Liberty would pass out a pamphlet saying they’d rather part with their tea than their freedom.”

10. A Tea Party • Despite signs of trouble, The East India company continued shipping tea to the colonies. • Colonist forced ships to turn back frequently. • On December 16, 1773 three ships loaded with tea were ordered to unload by royal governor. • The Boston sons of liberty acted quickly and while dressed as Native Americans boarded the ships and threw over 342 chests of tea. • This became known as the “Boston Tea Party.” • Despite this colonist still saw themselves loyal to Great Britain.

11. The Intolerable Acts • When King George III heard this news he said: “We must either master them or totally leave them to themselves.” • In 1774, Parliament passed a series of laws called the Coercive Acts (Coercive means to force). • Meant to punish colonist resisting British authority. • One Coercive Act forced colonist to let British soldiers live amongst them.

12. The Intolerable Acts • Another Coercive act prevented Massachusetts from having town meetings. • Another closed the harbor until colonist paid for the ruined tea. • This was meant to cut off food and the colonies from Massachusetts. • Colonies bonded more and sent food and clothing to support Boston. • The Quebec Act was also passed, which set up a government from Canada down to the Ohio River. • This ignored the colonies’ claim to the land.

13. The Intolerable Acts • Colonist believed this all violated their rights as English citizens. • Expressed their feelings by calling it the Intolerable Acts.