American Revolution Part 2 PDF

Part 1 ended with these questions How much would the Americans accept How did they react? American Revolution Part 2  BACKGROUND: COLONIES did not have representative in British Parliament AMERICANS began to question: WHY accept t...

Part 1 ended with these questions How much would the Americans accept How did they react? American Revolution Part 2  BACKGROUND: COLONIES did not have representative in British Parliament AMERICANS began to question: WHY accept taxes or laws IMPOSED by that Parliament? WHO will defend their rights?  British Parliament was adamant about Its right to levy taxes on ALL British subjects WITH or WITHOUT their approval Parliament reinforces its authority in the American colonies  Center of protest was in BOSTON Massachusetts  BOSTON Center of political and commercial life in NEW ENGLAND ACTS interfered in its economy It became DYNAMIC in fueling the AMERICAN REVOLUTION  BOSTON had a unique system of local government: All citizens had an EQUAL voice in TOWN MEETINGS All decide on local affairs and matters of importance in the colonies  BOSTON May, 1764 In a meeting of representatives SAMUEL ADAMS raised the issue of: TAXATION Without REPRESENTATION  SAMUEL ADAMS Statesman, political philosopher, one of the Leader in the American Revolution One of the founding Fathers of the United States. Singed the Declaration of Independence Cousin to Second President of the United States JOHN ADAMS.  He highlighted DANGERS of Taxation Without Representation “If our Trade is taxed, Why not everything we possess? “If we accept, we are reduced From FREE Subjects to SLAVES”  BOSTONIANS refuse ANY & ALL acts of Parliament If denied DIRECT representation They threatened with ALTERNATIVE actions  Adam’s directives symbolized FIRST official recommendation for the colonies to display a: UNIFIED FRONT In defense of their rights 1764 merchants in BOSTON boycott British luxury goods  What is actually going on? Was this protest about taxes? It was a direct CHALLENG to British Policy Rejection of any law passed by British Parliament British Policy does NOT concern them British Ignore a Looming Danger