Colonists Get More and More Upset

1. Colonists Get More and More Upset Chapter 6 Section 2

2. Questions Who was Crispus Attucks? In 1770, British soldiers killed 5 colonists (including Crispus Attucks). What did the Sons of Liberty call this event in order to get the colonists riled up? What was the name of the law, passed in 1767, that tried to raise money to pay the salaries of British officials living in the colonies? When colonists dress as Native Americans to board British ships docked in Boston harbor and throw the goods in the water, what did this come to be called? Name a colonist who organized protests and was a leader of the Boston Sons of Liberty. Name a colonist who, as a lawyer, was criticized for defending British soldiers involved in the Boston Massacre. Today it is known as a search warrant; what allowed British officers to search colonists’ homes?

3. Colonial Resistance Grows Many colonists begin to organize in groups so that they could fight against British policies they did not like.

4. The Townshend Acts In 1767 Parliament passes The Townshend Acts to raise money so they could pay British governors and other officials in the colonies. The Townshend Acts force the people in New York to stop having meetings until they agree to let soldiers live in their houses and eat their food. The Townshend Acts also put taxes on various goods. The British use what they call “writs of assistance” (and we now call search warrants) to make sure that people are obeying The Townshend Acts. Writs of assistance allowed British officers to go into houses or businesses and look for smuggled goods.

5. The Townshend Acts Make Colonists Angry New Yorkers are angry that their elected representatives are not allowed to meet and talk about issues. Other colonists are angry about taxation without representation. They think that the “writs of assistance” (search warrants) violate their natural rights.

6. How Colonists Protested People in Boston organized another boycott of British products (1767). Samuel Adams (who a leader of the Sons of Liberty) organized the boycott. He told colonists to resist British control by protesting through boycotts and other means. The boycott spread throughout the colonies. A group called the Daughters of Liberty encouraged people to use American made products instead.

7. The Boston Massacre Many British soldiers arrive in Boston. They are willing to do jobs for less money, which makes the colonists angry. On March 5, 1770, a fight starts between the soldiers and the colonists. Soldiers fire on the colonists and kill 5 of them, including CRISPUS ATTUCKS (a sailor of both African and Native American ancestry). The soldiers are charged with murder and John Adams defends them. People criticize his decision. Soldiers are set free. Sons of Liberty call the event the Boston Massacre in order to encourage colonists to be angry at the British.

8. The Tea Act Parliament repels the Townshend Act, except for the tax on tea. Samuel Adams starts some groups that begin writing letters about what is happening in the colonies. This is another way he protests British control in the colonies. Parliament passes the Tea Act which gives Britain control over tea and charges a tax on tea. Colonists and merchants are angry.

9. The Boston Tea Party There are lots of protests against the Tea Act. The Sons of Liberty organize a protest that becomes known as the Boston Tea Party. On Dec. 16, 1773, men disguised as Native Americans board 3 tea ships and destroy 342 huge crates of tea by throwing them overboard. Colonists are happy about this. Britain is angry and wants money for the destroyed tea and for the protesters to go on trial.