SECTION

5 Conflict in
TEKS 4A, 4B, 10A the Colonies
What You Will Learn…
If YOU were there...
Main Ideas You live in the New England colonies in the 1700s. Recently,
1. British efforts to raise taxes British officials have placed new taxes on tea—your favorite bever-
on colonists sparked protest.
2. The Boston Massacre caused age. You’ve never been very interested in politics, but you’re begin-
colonial resentment toward ning to think that people far across the ocean in Britain shouldn’t
Great Britain.
3. Colonists protested the British be able to tell you what to do. Some of your friends have joined a
tax on tea with the Boston group that refuses to buy British tea.
Tea Party.
4. Great Britain responded to
colonial actions by passing
Would you give up your favorite drink
the Intolerable Acts. to join the boycott?

The Big Idea

Tensions developed as the
British government placed BUILDING BACKGROUND As the British colonies grew and
tax after tax on the colonies. became prosperous, the colonists got used to running their own
lives. Britain began to seem very far away. At the same time, officials
Key Terms and People in Britain still expected the colonies to obey them and to earn money
Samuel Adams, p. 99 for Britain. Parliament passed new laws and imposed new taxes. But
Committees of Correspondence, p. 99 the colonists found various ways to challenge them.
Stamp Act of 1765, p. 100
Boston Massacre, p. 101
Tea Act, p. 102
Boston Tea Party, p. 102 Great Britain Raises Taxes
Intolerable Acts, p. 102
Quartering Act, p. 102 Great Britain had won the French and Indian War, but Parliament
still had to pay for it. The British continued to keep a standing, or
permanent, army in North America to protect the colonists against
Indian attacks. To help pay for this army, Prime Minister George
Grenville asked Parliament to tax the colonists. In 1764 Parlia-
Use the graphic organizer online to
ment passed the Sugar Act, which set duties on molasses and sugar
take notes on the new laws passed
by the British government. imported by colonists. This was the first act passed specifically to
raise money in the colonies.
British officials also tried harder to arrest smugglers. Colonial
merchants were required to list all the trade goods they carried
aboard their ships. These lists had to be approved before ships
could leave colonial ports. This made it difficult for traders to avoid
paying duties. The British navy also began to stop and search ships
for smuggled goods.

98 Chapter 3
 Voice of Protest
Leaders like Patrick Henry made
speeches that encouraged
colonists to protest the Brit-
ish government. Here, Henry is
shown protesting the Crown’s
control of religion in front of a
Virginia court.
Why were public speeches
so important to protesting
British rule?

Parliament also changed the colonies’ direct representatives in Parliament. The col-
legal system by giving greater powers to onists were subjects of the Crown instead of
the vice-admiralty courts. These courts had citizens of England.
no juries, and the judges treated suspected At a Boston town meeting in May 1764,
smugglers as guilty until proven innocent. In local leader Samuel Adams agreed with Otis.
regular British courts, accused persons were He believed that Parliament could not tax
treated as innocent until proven guilty. the colonists without their permission. The
ideas of Otis and Adams were summed up in
Taxation without Representation the slogan “No Taxation without Representa-
Parliament’s actions upset many colonists tion,” which spread throughout the colonies.
who had grown used to being independent. Adams helped found the Committees of
The rising merchant class thought the taxes Correspondence . Each committee got in touch
were unfair and hurt business. Many believed with other towns and colonies. Its members
that Great Britain had no right to tax the col- shared ideas and information about the new
onies at all without popular consent. British laws and ways to challenge them.
James Otis argued that the power of the A popular method of protest was the boy-
Crown and Parliament was limited. Otis said cott, in which people refused to buy British
they could not “take from any man any part goods. The first colonial boycott started in
of his property, without his consent in per- New York in 1765. It soon spread to other
son or by representation.” Colonial assem- colonies. Colonists hoped that their efforts
blies had little influence on Parliament’s would hurt the British economy and might
decisions. In addition, the colonists had no convince Parliament to end the new taxes.

The english colonies 99

 Stamp Act Pressure on Parliament to repeal, or do
The British government continued to search away with, the Stamp Act grew quickly.
for new ways to tax the American colonies, A group of London merchants complained
further angering many colonists. For exam- that their trade suffered from the colonial
ple, Prime Minister Grenville proposed the boycott. Parliament repealed the Stamp Act
Stamp Act of 1765. This act required colonists in 1766.
to pay for an official stamp, or seal, when they Members of Parliament were upset that
bought paper items. The tax had to be paid colonists had challenged their authority.
on legal documents, licenses, newspapers, Thus, Parliament issued the Declaratory Act,
pamphlets, and even playing cards. Colonists which stated that Parliament had the power
who refused to buy stamps could be fined or to make laws for the colonies “in all cases
sent to jail. whatsoever.” The Declaratory Act further
Grenville did not expect this tax to spark worried the colonists. The act stripped away
protest. After all, in Britain people already much of their independence.
paid similar taxes. But colonists saw it differ-
Townshend Acts
ently. The Stamp Act was Parliament’s first
In June 1767 Parliament passed the Town-
attempt to raise money by taxing the colo-
shend Acts. These acts placed duties on
nists directly, rather than by taxing imported
glass, lead, paints, paper, and tea. To enforce
goods.
the Townshend Acts, British officials used
Protests against the Stamp Act began
writs of assistance. These allowed tax collec-
almost immediately. Colonists formed a
tors to search for smuggled goods. Colonists
secret society called the Sons of Liberty. Sam-
hated the new laws because they took power
uel Adams helped organize the group in Bos-
away from colonial governments.
ton. This group sometimes used violence to
The colonists responded to the Town-
frighten tax collectors. Many colonial courts
shend Acts by once again boycotting many
shut down because people refused to buy the
British goods. Women calling themselves the
stamps required for legal documents. Busi-
Daughters of Liberty supported the boycott.
nesses openly ignored the law by refusing to
In February 1768 Samuel Adams wrote a letter
buy stamps.
arguing that the laws violated the legal rights
In May 1765 a Virginia lawyer named
of the colonists. The Massachusetts legislature
Patrick Henry presented a series of resolutions
sent the letter to other colonies’ legislatures,
to the Virginia House of Burgesses. These res-
who voted to join the protest.
olutions stated that the Stamp Act violated
At the same time, tax collectors in Massa-
colonists’ rights. In addition to taxation with-
chusetts seized the ship Liberty on suspicion
out representation, the Stamp Act denied the
of smuggling. This action angered the ship’s
accused a trial by jury. Henry’s speech in sup-
owner and the Sons of Liberty. They attacked
port of the resolutions convinced the assem-
the houses of customs officials in protest. In
bly to support some of his ideas.
response, the governor broke up the Mas-
sachusetts legislature. He also asked troops
Repealing the Stamp Act
to restore order. British soldiers arrived in
In Boston the members of the Massachusetts
Boston in October 1768.
legislature called for a Stamp Act Congress. In
October 1765, delegates from nine colonies
met in New York. They issued a declaration Reading Check Sequencing What series of
that the Stamp Act was a violation of their events led to the arrival of British troops in Boston
rights and liberties. in 1768?

100 Chapter 3
 Primary Source
newspaper article
The Boston Massacre
An account of the Boston Massacre appeared in the Boston
Gazette and Country Journal soon after the event.

“The People were immediately alarmed with the Report of this

horrid Massacre, the Bells were set a Ringing, and great Num-
bers soon assembled at the Place where this tragical Scene
had been acted; their Feelings may be better conceived than
expressed; and while some were taking Care of the Dead and
Wounded, the Rest were in Consultation what to do in these
dreadful Circumstances.

But so little intimidated were they [Bostonians], notwithstand-

ing their being within a few Yards of the Main Guard, and
seeing the 29th Regiment under Arms, and drawn up in King
street; that they kept their Station and appeared, as an Officer
of Rank expressed it, ready to run upon the very Muzzles of ANALYSIS
their Muskets.” skill  ANALYZING PRIMARY SOURCES
—Boston Gazette and Country Journal, March 12, 1770 Why do you think the people described were
not intimidated by the soldiers?

Boston Massacre Samuel Adams and other protesters

quickly spread the story of the shootings.
Many Bostonians saw the presence of British
They used it as propaganda—a story giving
troops as a threat by the British government
only one side in an argument—against the
against its critics in Massachusetts. Some col-
British. Colonists called the shootings the
onists agreed with Samuel Adams, who said,
Boston Massacre. Paul Revere created an
“I look upon [British soldiers] as foreign ene-
elaborate color print titled “The Bloody Mas-
mies.” The soldiers knew that they were not
sacre perpetrated in King Street” (above).
welcome. Both sides resented each other, and
The soldiers and their officer, Thomas
name-calling, arguments, and fights between
Preston, were charged with murder. Two
Bostonians and the soldiers were common.
Boston lawyers, Josiah Quincy and John
The tension exploded on March 5, 1770.
Adams—Samuel Adams’s cousin—agreed
A lone British soldier standing guard had an
to defend the soldiers. They argued that
argument with a colonist and struck him. A
the troops had acted in self-defense. The
crowd gathered around the soldier, throw-
Boston jury agreed, finding Preston and
ing snowballs and shouting insults. Soon a
six soldiers not guilty. Two soldiers were
small number of troops arrived. The crowd
convicted of killing people in the crowd by
grew louder and angrier by the moment. Some
accident. These men were branded on the
yelled, “Come on you rascals . . . Fire if you dare!”
hand and released. The trial helped calm
Suddenly, the soldiers fired into the crowd,
people down, but many were still angry at
instantly killing three men, including sailor
the British.
Crispus Attucks. “Half Indian, half negro, and
altogether rowdy,” as he was called, Attucks is
the best-remembered casualty of the incident. Reading Check Analyzing What was the
Two others died within a few days. significance of the Boston Massacre?

The english colonies 101

The Road to Revolution
Colonists reacted to British laws with
anger and violence. Parliament continued
to pass tax after tax.

1764 The Sugar Act 1765 The Stamp Act

British Actions The Sugar Act is passed to raise The Stamp Act taxes newspapers,
money from the colonies for Britain. licenses, and colonial paper products.

Samuel Adams founds the Commit- A series of resolutions is published

Colonists’ Reactions tees of Correspondence to improve stating that the Stamp Act violates
communication among the colonies. the rights of colonists.

The Boston Tea Party On the night of December 16, 1773,

colonists disguised as Indians sneaked onto
To reduce tensions in the colonies, Parlia-
the three tea-filled ships and dumped over
ment repealed almost all of the Townshend
340 tea chests into Boston Harbor. This event
Acts. However, it kept the tax on tea. British
became known as the Boston Tea Party.
officials knew that the colonial demand for
Soon the streets echoed with shouts of
tea was high despite the boycott. But colo-
“Boston harbour is a teapot tonight!” It
nial merchants were smuggling most of this
was an early example of what later became
imported tea and paying no duty on it.
known as an act of “civil disobedience.”
The British East India Company offered
The protest quickly increased the tensions
Parliament a solution. The company had
between ­Britain and the colonies.
huge amounts of tea but was not allowed to
sell it directly to the colonists. If the com- Reading Check Summarizing What factors
pany could sell directly to the colonists, led to the Boston Tea Party?
it could charge low prices and still make
money. Cheaper tea might encourage colo-
nists to stop smuggling. Less smuggling The Intolerable Acts
would result in more tax money. Lord North, the new British prime minister,
Parliament agreed and passed the Tea was furious when he heard the news. Par-
Act in 1773, which allowed the British East liament decided to punish Boston. In the
India Company to sell tea directly to the spring of 1774 it passed the Coercive Acts.
colonists. Many colonial merchants and Colonists called these laws the ­Intolerable
smugglers feared that the British East India Acts. The acts had several effects.
Company’s cheap tea would put them out 1. Boston Harbor was closed until Boston
of business. paid for the ruined tea.
Three ships loaded with tea from the 2. Massachusetts’s charter was canceled.
British East India Company arrived in Bos- The governor decided if and when the
ton Harbor in 1773. Members of the Sons of legislature could meet.
Liberty demanded that the ships leave. But 3. Royal officials accused of crimes were
the governor of Massachusetts would not sent to Britain for trial. This let them
let the ships leave without paying the duty. face a more friendly judge and jury.
Unsure of what to do, the captains waited 4. A new Quartering Act required colo-
in the harbor. nists to house British soldiers.

102 Chapter 3
1770 The Boston Massacre 1773 The Boston Tea Party 1774 The Intolerable Acts

British soldiers fire into a crowd of The Tea Act is passed, making British Boston Harbor is closed, and British
colonists, killing five men. tea cheaper than colonial tea. troops are quartered.

Colonists protest and bring Colonists protest by dumping Colonists’ resentment toward
the soldiers to trial. shipments of British tea into Britain builds.
Boston Harbor. ANALYSIS
skill Analyzing Visuals
In what year did the conflict between
5. The Quebec Act gave a large amount of Britain and the colonists turn violent?
land to the colony of Quebec.
6. General Thomas Gage became the new Summary and preview In this section
governor of Massachusetts. you learned about the increasing dissatis-
The British hoped that these steps would faction between the colonists and Great
bring back order in the colonies. Instead they Britain. In the next chapter you’ll learn
simply increased people’s anger at Britain. about the result of these conflicts—the
American Revolution.
Reading Check Analyzing What was the
purpose of the Intolerable Acts?

Section 5 Assessment ONLINE QUIZ

Reviewing Ideas, Terms, and People add a new column to your chart and identify the
1. a. Explain Why did Great Britain raise taxes in its laws’ results.
American colonies?
Law Result
b. Evaluate Which method of protesting taxes do
1.
you think was most successful for colonists? Why?
2. a. Describe What events led to the Boston 2.
Massacre? 3.
b. Elaborate Why do you think John Adams and
4.
Josiah Quincy agreed to defend the British soldiers
that were involved in the Boston Massacre? 5.
3. a. Recall What was the purpose of the Tea Act?
b. Draw Conclusions What message did the
Boston Tea Party send to the British government? Focus on Writing
4. a. Explain Why did Parliament pass the
­Intolerable Acts? 6. Gathering Information Now you have some infor-
b. Draw Conclusions Why do you think the colo- mation about the political situation in Boston in the
nists believed that these laws were “intolerable”? late 1700s. Why might someone from Britain want to
immigrate to Boston at this time? Would you con-
Critical Thinking
sider the city of Boston, rather than a whole colony,
5. Identifying Cause and Effect Review your notes for the subject of your infomercial?
on the laws passed by the British government. Then

The english colonies 103