Creating a NationCreating a Nation

Building Colonial UnityBuilding Colonial Unity

p.136p.136

Trouble in BostonTrouble in Boston 1768 – Customs officials sent word back 1768 – Customs officials sent word back

that the colonies were on the brink of a that the colonies were on the brink of a rebellionrebellion

Britain sent 2 regiments of troops to Britain sent 2 regiments of troops to BostonBoston to control any rebellion. to control any rebellion.

Most soldiers were rude to colonists and Most soldiers were rude to colonists and stole.stole.

Colonists not happy with them there Colonists not happy with them there taunted the taunted the “Redcoats.”“Redcoats.”

Hatred between them grew. Hatred between them grew.

The Boston MassacreThe Boston Massacre Angry town’s people gathered Angry town’s people gathered

weapons and taunted the redcoats to weapons and taunted the redcoats to fire.fire.

One redcoat fired, which led to One redcoat fired, which led to several more firing.several more firing.

5 colonists died.5 colonists died.

The Word SpreadsThe Word Spreads Colonists used the event as Colonists used the event as propagandapropaganda – –

information designed to influence opinion.information designed to influence opinion. Sam AdamsSam Adams put up posters describing the put up posters describing the

Boston Massacre.Boston Massacre. Paul ReverePaul Revere made an engraving depicting the made an engraving depicting the

event.event. This propaganda helped fuel anti-British This propaganda helped fuel anti-British

feeling.feeling. Parliament repealed all taxes except on Parliament repealed all taxes except on

tea.tea.

A Crisis Over TeaA Crisis Over Tea Britain passed Tea Act (1773) to save Britain passed Tea Act (1773) to save

Britain East India CompanyBritain East India Company.. Gave Company the right to ship tea to the Gave Company the right to ship tea to the

colonists without paying most taxes colonists without paying most taxes usually placed on tea.usually placed on tea.

Allowed the company to bypass colonial Allowed the company to bypass colonial merchants and sell directly to merchants and sell directly to shopkeepers at a lower price. shopkeepers at a lower price.

Made tea Made tea cheapercheaper than any other than any other companycompany

Colonial DemandsColonial Demands Colonists angry about Colonists angry about monopolymonopoly given to given to

the British East India Company.the British East India Company. Colonists argued it was another attempt Colonists argued it was another attempt

to crush colonial liberty.to crush colonial liberty. Boston and Philadelphia vowed to stop Boston and Philadelphia vowed to stop

the B.E.I.C. ships from unloading.the B.E.I.C. ships from unloading.

Boston Tea PartyBoston Tea Party The royal governor refused to let the The royal governor refused to let the

ships turn back and ordered them to ships turn back and ordered them to unload.unload.

Samuel AdamsSamuel Adams and the and the Sons of LibertySons of Liberty dressed up as Indians and boarded the dressed up as Indians and boarded the ships at midnight. ships at midnight.

They threw 342 chests of tea overboard They threw 342 chests of tea overboard into the ocean.into the ocean.

Intolerable ActsIntolerable Acts Coercive Acts (1774)Coercive Acts (1774) – harsh laws intended to – harsh laws intended to

punish the people of Massachusetts.punish the people of Massachusetts. Closed Boston harbor until the tea was repaid.Closed Boston harbor until the tea was repaid. Banned town meetingsBanned town meetings Forced Boston to shelter soldiers in their homesForced Boston to shelter soldiers in their homes

Other colonists sent Boston food and clothing Other colonists sent Boston food and clothing in support.in support.

Colonists renamed the acts the “Colonists renamed the acts the “Intolerable Intolerable Acts.”Acts.”

Intolerable ActsIntolerable Acts

Colonists felt these acts violated their Colonists felt these acts violated their rights as English citizens. rights as English citizens.

These included the rights to no These included the rights to no quartering of troops in private homes quartering of troops in private homes and no standing army in peacetime and no standing army in peacetime without their consent.without their consent.