Transcript Fighting Back- Acts of Colonial Resistance

FIGHTING BACK- ACTS OF COLONIAL
RESISTANCE
1765- VIRGINIA RESOLVES
Proposed by Patrick Henry
 Virginia could only be taxed by Virginians
 “if this be treason, let me make the most of it”
 Led to similar resolutions in 8 other colonies
 Printed and distributed to other colonies
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STAMP ACT CONGRESS- 1765
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James Otis persuaded other colonies to meet in NY to
petition the king
Acknowledged subordination to England but denied
England’s right to tax without consent (only colonial
legislature)
England repeals Stamp Act, passes Declaratory Act
SONS OF LIBERTY
Started off as the Loyal Nine, grew in response
to Stamp Act
 Intimidated, tarred and feathered tax collectors
 Burned stamps, threatened anyone who
cooperated
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TARRING AND FEATHERING
SOL FOCUS ON PROPAGANDA
Wanted to promote radical message in a
peaceful way
 Spread propaganda in the form of letters,
brochures, engravings, posters, etc.
 Organized Committees of Correspondence to
spread information throughout colonies
(Women and DOL involved)
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PAUL REVERE’S ON THE BOSTON MASSACRE
THE GASPEE INCIDENT (1772)
The Gaspee was a hated British schooner that
operated on the coast of Rhode Island
 The Gaspee ran aground and was a sitting duck
for the Sons of Liberty
 SOL members burned the ship and wounded
crew members
 Propaganda was spread by the SOL and this
inspired many Patriots
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THE GASPEE BURNING
BOSTON TEA PARTY (1773)
Bostonians upset with Tea Act (especially the
smugglers)
 SOL members dress up like Mohawk Indians
and dump 342 chests into Boston Harbor
 Britain is furious and pass the Coercive Acts
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BOSTON TEA PARTY
THE FIRST CONTINENTAL CONGRESS
(1774)
Met to discuss problems with Great Britain
 Denounced Intolerable Acts
 Urged Colonists to organize a militia
 Called on colonists to suspend all trade with
Great Britain
 Urged citizens not to pay taxes
 Did not call for Independence, but wanted
grievances addressed
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IMPORTANT PROPAGANDA
John Dickinson’s Letters from a Farmer in
Pennsylvania(1767)- no difference between
internal and external taxes, colonies are
sovereign
 Sam Adams’ Massachusetts Circular Letter
(1768)- argued Townshend Duties
unconstitutional, only colonial assemblies
should tax (British military to Boston)
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AND COMMON SENSE (1776)
The most read piece of literature next to the
Bible
 Thomas Paine (the original T-Paine) argued that
there was no need for British connection (its
Common Sense)
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