Taxation and Resistance

1. Taxation and Resistance

2. From Loyalty to Resistance • Before taxes of the 1760s, Americans were loyal English citizens • French-Indian war changed finances and attitudes toward England: • Taxes declared from England, not from colonists • Property rights and westward limitations • Stationing of troops • Royally appointed governorships • Still, by 1776, most colonists favored remaining loyal to England Washington, directing troops during the French & Indian War

3. Sugar Act of 1764 • Increased the tax on molasses imported from French West Indies • Colonial exports (lumber, iron, furs) go through England • Increased complexity of shipping paper work • Offenders prosecuted without jury trial; judges were paid for convictions • Colonists avoided tax by bribing officials. England lowered tax to cost of typical bribe.

4. Stamp Act of 1765 • Tax on paper for newspapers, diplomas and most legal documents. • Colonists had no legal representation: internal tax violated English law; Parliament argued that colonists had “virtual representation”. • Patrick Henry persuaded eight colonies to pass resolutions against the Act • Boston: colonists rioted and began intimidation campaign against tax collectors and governor. • Sons of Liberty organized groups to lead demonstrations • Boycott of British goods by NY merchants: English exporters forced Parliament to repeal the Act. • To save face, Parliament passed Declaratory Act: asserted its power to make laws for and place taxes on the colonies.

5. Quartering Act of 1765 • Colonial assemblies must raise taxes to pay for maintaining British soldiers. • Each assembly must provide for basic needs of soldiers stationed within borders, including bedding, cooking utensils, firewood, beer or cider and candles, and billeting in taverns or unoccupied houses. • New York, initially refused to pay for any supplies but eventually agreed.

6. Townshend Acts of 1767-1770 • Taxes on some imports (paint, lead, glass, paper and tea). • Not an “internal tax” so Townshend didn’t expect colonial opposition. • Revenue to pay governors so assemblies would lose leverage over governors. • Colonists argued taxes raised revenue, not to protect merchants’ interests. • MA and VA assemblies wrote protest to Parliament, citing “no taxation without representation.” Tar and Feathering, shown in drawing of the time

7. Fallout from Townshend Acts • Hillsborough (who replaced Townshend) overreacted, gave governors right to dismiss assemblies. • Colonists protested duties through non-importation, leading to 40% drop in British imports. • Merchants in England pressured Parliament to repeal. • Women led boycotts of tea and made their own cloth • Bribing customs officials and smuggling undermined Townshend duties. • 1770 Townshend Duties finally repealed after Boston Massacre. Tea tax kept. Clovis points used for spears