Andrea O’Neill The Road to Revolution: 1763- 1776 United States History: Beginnings to 1877

1. Andrea O’Neill The Road to Revolution: 1763- 1776 United States History: Beginnings to 1877 Grade 8

2. This activity is meant to introduce you to some of the chronological causes of the American Revolution, starting from the end of the French and Indian War in 1763. Pretend you are a reporter from Canada, sent to gather information on the present dispute between Great Britain and her American Colonies. Your mission is to venture to Philadelphia, find the Continental Congress meeting there, and send your findings home with a recommendation of which side is right. While you are on your journey, be sure to answer the following questions and have them handy for a class discussion: 1. If you were a colonist, would you have supported “rebellion” against Great Britain? 2. At what point do you think war became inevitable? 3. What was the single most influential event in the decision forwar?

3. Click this button to go back one slide Click this button to go forward one slide Click this button to return to the main menu

4. MAIN MENU Each time you complete a task and move on, you will be brought back to a roadmap like this one to see your progress. Your route will become more complete the further you progress. Click on any of the events on the roadmap to revisit them, but you cannot jump ahead to the next event without completing the assigned task. Return to title

5. THE STAMP ACT

6. The Stamp Act In order to replenish the royal treasury, the British decided to tax something that all colonists needed - paper. The Stamp Act of 1765 was a tax on all printed material. It was the first direct tax; meaning that it was passed only to raise revenue, not regulate trade and it was collected by royal officials, not by the colonial assemblies. The Stamp Act taxed everything from playing cards to legal documents and was unavoidable since the only paper in the colonies was imported from England. This meant that everybody, no matter what job they held or how much money they had, had an interest in what happened with the Stamp Act. The sting of the Stamp Act came at a time of recession: The colonists were broke the way it was, and now had to pay a tax just to get the morning paper. Front page of the PA Journal the day before the Stamp Act went into effect.

7. The Result Colonists were very angry. They felt that Parliament should consider their views before passing such laws. Some formed the Sons and Daughters of Liberty; groups dedicated to stopping the Stamp Act. They destroyed the homes of the stamp collectors during riots and made them give up their posts. Many looked for better ways to deal with the problem. They felt that those in England couldn’t possibly know what they needed and that laws should be made in America. They also thought that their king would listen if they explained their position. The British felt that they had the right to make laws for all subjects, no matter where they lived in the Empire. The colonists sent representatives to the Stamp Act Congress to decide how to make Parliament understand. Cartoon showing the “death” of the colonies due to the Stamp Act.

8. The Stamp Act Congress At the time, only wealthy were allowed to vote or hold public office. The Stamp Act brought common people into politics – this was something brand new in the entire world and the British laughed at the people at theCongress. It was also an illegal assembly in the eyes of the British and was ignored. The Stamp Act Congress told people to stop buying ALL British goods until Parliament took the law away, or repealed it. It was the first time all the colonies got together and the first time they disobeyed Britain. The boycott worked and the Act was repealed, but not before Parliament issued the Declatory Act that said England had the right to make laws for the colonies “in all cases whatsoever”. Flag used to rally support against the Stamp Act.

9. Its getting late and you need to find a place to sleep. You see a barn but it is locked. Answer the following question in order to get inside and rest for the next day’s journey: -Why was the Stamp Act such a big deal to the colonists? a. Parliament had passed the law without asking the colonists how they felt b. it cost everyone too much money c. The colonists thought that their own assemblies should be allowed to figure out their own way to raise the money, not Parliament. d. a and c e. all of these

10. Not Quite…. Well, you are partially right in that the colonists did feel they should be consulted on money matters, but there are other factors, also.

11. Almost…… The Stamp Act was passed at a time where many were out of work and could not afford to carry on their daily lives with such a tax. There was more to it, though, than a simple grumbling over how much was being asked of them.

12. Close…… The Colonists did believe that Parliament should allow the colonial legislatures to collect the money as they saw fit, but this was not the only reason there was such an uproar.

13. On the right track….. These are both important reasons that the colonists felt the tax was wrong, but there was something else that made it more than just wrong – something made them hate it to the point of violence.

14. Great!! You are right in thinking that all three factors played a role in the furious way the colonists resisted the Stamp Act. To be sure, these are not the only factors, but we will talk about this in more detail during the lesson. British Cartoon ridiculing the colonists resistance methods. A merchant is forced to sign a boycott promise to avoid being tarred and feathered Rioters attacking Stamp Collector’s homes.

15. The Stamp Act The Stamp Act Congress The Townsend Acts Return to title

16. The Townsend Acts Parliament still needed money, so they passed TheTownsend Acts. This placed an indirect tax on glass, paper, paint, lead and tea and was placed on the goods before they were taken off the ship. The Townsend Acts also made it legal for a British official to go into any colonists’ home to search for smuggled goods. Parliament felt that the colonists should have to pay some of the expenses of protecting the colonies. John Dickinson wrote Letters from a PA Farmer to explain that even this indirect tax was just as dangerous to their rights as the Stamp Act. Many people agreed and began another protest. John Dickinson

17. The Result: The Sons and Daughters of Liberty organized another boycott of all goods taxed by the Townsend Acts and resume their violence toward Customs officials, making it impossible for them to do their jobs. Many merchants do not want to boycott, but are forced to by more violent colonists. As a result of the exceptional violence in Boston, two regiments of troops are sent to the city to maintain order and protect the customs officials so they can collect the taxes. A custom’s official being tarred and feathered

18. You have slept the night and are ready to go. All of a sudden you realize you are sharing your space with a very angry bull. Answer the question to get away from the charge! - What is the difference between direct and indirect taxes? a. direct taxes are only collected by purchasing stamps, indirect taxes are paid with cash b. direct taxes are paid directly to royal employees, indirect taxes are added to a product before it leaves the ship and are included in the price. c. direct taxes are meant to regulate trade, indirect taxes are meant only to raise money d. a and c e. all of these

19. Not Quite….. Although in the case of the Stamp Act, the taxes were paid by purchasing stamped paper, it was just for that particular law. Direct and indirect taxes can be collected in cash, stamps or other ways. It was when the tax was collected and by who.

20. Way to go!!! Although there are other differences between the two, the two major differences are: The fact that the crown itself collected the duties and not the colonial assemblies; and that colonists could not avoid the tax like they could for an imported item with an indirect tax.

21. Sorry… Actually, the opposite is true: indirect taxes are meant to regulate trade by making a product from one country cheaper than the same product from a different country. Direct taxes are meant to make money, plain and simple and are placed on items that cannot be avoided.

22. Nope, sorry Although in the case of the Stamp Act, the taxes were paid by purchasing stamped paper, it was just for that particular law. Direct and indirect taxes can be collected in cash, stamps or other ways. It was when the tax was collected and by who. Also, indirect taxes are meant to regulate trade by making a product from one country cheaper than the same product from a different country. Direct taxes are meant to make money, plain and simple and are placed on items that cannot be avoided.

23. Nope, sorry Although in the case of the Stamp Act, the taxes were paid by purchasing stamped paper, it was just for that particular law. Direct and indirect taxes can be collected in cash, stamps or other ways. It was when the tax was collected and by who. Also, indirect taxes are meant to regulate trade by making a product from one country cheaper than the same product from a different country. Direct taxes are meant to make money, plain and simple and are placed on items that cannot be avoided.

24. The Stamp Act The Stamp Act Congress The Townsend Acts The Boston Massacre

25. The Boston Massacre While traveling through Boston, you hear about The Boston Massacre. British soldiers, sent to Boston to restore order, killed five colonists. At first, all you hear is how the soldiers murdered the townsmen intentionally and how the people of Boston had been suffering. After spending some time there, however, you learn from others that many colonists harassed the soldiers every chance they got and that the group of colonists they fired on was more like a hateful mob. You find out that a jury had decided they had fired in self defense and the soldiers were free to return to England. There were many reasons for the violence on both sides, but you find out that many colonists are using it as an example of British tyranny in order to convince others to be disobedient to Parliament’s laws.

26. The Result: After the Boston “massacre,” many colonists were angrier than ever and shocked that their own countrymen would fire at them and no longer trusted their English government. Samuel Adams organized Committees of Correspondence which became a network of information among all the colonies to resist British soldiers. These committees were illegal and their members were always in danger of being captured. The Townsend Acts were repealed the very day of the Boston Massacre, but the colonists didn’t know until later because it took so long for messages to reach America. Samuel Adams The Boston Massacre

27. What luck! a merchant on his way to New York offers to let you ride along in his wagon. To get to your destination, answer your next question: -How may have the tensions between townspeople and soldiers erupted into violence? a. The Sons of Liberty made sure that everyone knew of every little thing the soldiers did b. Many townsmen were convinced the soldiers didn’t belong there and wanted them to leave c. The townsmen made the soldiers jobs very difficult and the soldiers harassed the townsmen d. a and c e all of these

28. Sorry… Although the Sons of Liberty did circulate all kinds of stories, some untrue, do you really think that would be enough to form a riot? Try Again.

29. On the right track… True, but have you ever shot your brother because he didn’t want you in his room?

30. Not Quite…. It is certain that both sides harassed and made life difficult for the other, but there is no way that bullying made people riot.

31. On the right track… Well, you are correct in thinking that there were multiple factors that caused the Boston Massacre, although the Sons of Liberty did circulate all kinds of stories, some untrue, do you really think that would be enough to form a riot?

32. CORRECT! There were many, many more factors that led to the violence of the Boston Massacre, and both parties were clearly at fault. Nothing in history stems from a single problem.Tension had been building for months and both the soldiers and the citizens of Boston allowed things to get out of hand.

33. The Stamp Act The Stamp Act Congress The Townsend Acts The Boston Massacre The Tea Act

34. The Tea Act The Tea Act was passed a few years after The Boston Massacre and kept the same import duty that had been on tea for the last six years, but allowed the East India Tea Company to sell directly to colonists, bypassing colonial merchants and ruining many businesses. The purpose was to stop the East India Tea Co. from going out of business.

35. Result A large group of colonists in Philadelphia force the tea agents to resign and prevents the cargo of tea from docking. Other colonies also refuse tea shipments. Boston fails to force the agents out and the tea ships successfully dock. Governor Hutchinson refuses to allow the tea to leave until the import taxes are paid. Knowing all the colonies are watching, Boston feels the pressure to take action and a group of colonists throw the tea overboard in what is known as The Boston Tea Party. The Boston Tea Party Thomas Hutchinson

36. You have made it to New York but you are starving. To find the nearest tavern, answer the question: - How did both Parliament and the colonists contributed to the growing conflict? a. Both felt they were right and refused to see the other point of view b. The British liked tea and the colonists didn’t c. Both were conscious of appearing “weak” in front of the other d. a and c e. all of these The City Tavern in Philadelphia

37. Hmmmmmm… You are correct, but there were still other factors besides being bullheaded.

38. Ummmmm, no…. Actually, the colonists still considered themselves to be British for the most part and tea was a pretty big part of their culture.

39. Absolutely, but….. Yep, but there was much more involved here than pride.

40. Correct!GOOD JOB!! Yes, both sides felt they were not being respected by the other, both sides felt they were right and neither side wanted to appear weak, for fear they would then be taken advantage of. It seems at this point that both the colonists and Parliament were locked into a battle. Coat of arms for the East India Tea Co. Boston Tea Party

41. Sorry…. Yes, both sides felt they were not being respected by the other, both sides felt they were right and neither side wanted to appear weak, for fear they would then be taken advantage of. It seems at this point that both the colonists and parliament were locked in. But, the colonists still considered themselves British for the most part and tea was a pretty big part of their culture.

42. The Stamp Act The Stamp Act Congress The Townsend Acts The Boston Massacre The Tea Act The Coercive Acts

43. The Coercive Acts When news of the Boston Tea Party reaches Parliament, they and the King are furious at the show of defiance and pass a series of measures to punish Boston. The Coercive Acts, meant to coerce the colonists into submission, closed Boston’s Harbor – the city’s lifeline and its greatest source of income and employment. It also replaced Governor Hutchinson with General Gage – bringing Boston under martial law. Boston appeals to the other colonies to help and they respond by meeting in Philadelphia at the First Continental Congress.

44. Result: The First Continental Congress had a big problem on their hands and were divided on how to handle it. Some called for independence, others for sending a list of complaints to the King, and some colonies didn’t even send delegates. The Congress decided that all trade with Great Britain was to be stopped until The Coercive Acts were repealed. The Continental Congress agreed to meet again later and start training a militia to protect against British soldiers. This was NOT a preparation for war, it was to try to reinstate the balance between themselves and Great Britain. Parliament considered the Congress an illegal assembly of commoners who wereunfit to make their own decisions and therefore did not recognize its decisions. Independence Hall, Phil.

45. You have to get going, and decide that the best way to get to Philadelphia by river. To find someone willing to sell you their boat, do the drill: -How may the Coercive Acts be seen as a result of colonial action rather than a cause of the First Continental Congress? a. The Boston Tea Party was in response to the Tea Act b. The Coercive Acts were passed by Parliament for the sole purpose of punishing the colonists of Boston c. The merchants did not feel they should have to suffer because a tea company was having financial trouble. d. a and c e. all of these

46. True, but wrong… Although that is true, the Coercive acts happened later and did not have much to do with the Tea Act – Try going a little further in time.

47. YES!! Very Good – In this way, it was the colonists that cased the Coercive Acts by their actions in the Boston Tea Party. Parliament responded to their destruction of the tea in the harbor.

48. Yes, but….. Although it is very true that the merchants felt they were being punished for the failure of the East India Company, it was not the reason for the Coercive Acts. Try thinking about how thecolonists responded to the Acts.

49. True, but wrong… Although that is true, the Coercive acts happened later and did not have much to do with the Tea Act. It is also very true that the merchants felt they were being punished for the failure of the East India Company, but it was not the reason for the Coercive Acts. Try going a little further in time and think about how the colonists responded to the Acts.

50. True, but wrong… Although that is true, the Coercive acts happened later and did not have much to do with the Tea Act. It is also very true that the merchants felt they were being punished for the failure of the East India Company, but it was not the reason for the Coercive Acts. Try going a little further in time and think about how the colonists responded to the Acts.