Grievances
Before Britain began passing new taxes and restrictions, what had the colonists been allowed to do for many years?
Formed their own legislatures, passed local laws, levied local taxes, and determined how those taxes were spent?
What did the Stamp Act tax?
Documents printed or written on English-made stamped paper, including licenses, land transfers, wills, diplomas, and newspapers.
How did colonists respond to the Stamp Act?
They protested in the streets, and pamphleteers and colonial newspapers rallied against the act.
What event marked the beginning of America's war for independence?
The fighting at Lexington and Concord.
Why were some colonists angry about the Royal Proclamation of 1763?
It prevented settlement beyond the Appalachian Mountains, limiting colonists' ability to move west and acquire land.
What items were taxed by the Townshend Acts?
Glass, lead, paper, painter's colors, and tea.
What did the Sons of Liberty call for in response to the Townshend Acts?
A boycott of British goods.
Why did the British send troops to Boston after the Townshend Acts?
To police Boston and respond to escalating colonial resistance.
Why did colonists fear the Stamp Act even though the taxes were relatively minor?
They feared it would set a precedent that allowed Britain to impose even greater taxes in the future.
What did the Coercive Acts do to Massachusetts?
They closed Boston's port, limited its elected government, restricted town meetings, allowed British officers to commandeer vacant buildings for troops, and increased the power of the British governor.
What happened during the Boston Tea Party?
Men disguised as Native Americans boarded East India Company ships and dumped crates of tea into Boston Harbor.
How did British punishment of Massachusetts after the Boston Tea Party have an unintended effect?
Instead of isolating Massachusetts, British repression helped unite the colonies and encouraged them to coordinate their resistance.
According to the readings, what made the colonists increasingly believe that the British government was becoming a problem rather than a protector?
Britain continued passing laws that restricted colonists, taxed them, and interfered with their political and economic activities.
Why did the British government pass the Coercive Acts?
They were intended to punish Massachusetts for the destruction of British property during the Boston Tea Party and to contain colonial resistance.
How did colonists respond to the Coercive Acts?
Colonial leaders began working together to coordinate resistance, leading to the call for a Continental Congress.
Based on the reading, how did tensions between Britain and the colonies escalate from disagreements over laws and taxes into armed conflict?
Britain imposed taxes and restrictions → colonists protested and resisted → Britain responded with troops and punishment → colonial resistance became more organized → militias formed and armed conflict began at Lexington and Concord.