Early Revolution Causes

Britain wanted to govern the 13 colonies

King George III and Parliament impose laws and taxes on the colonies

1. Proclamation of 1763 restricted the freedom of the colonists

2. King George wanted to keep troops in the colonies to enforce the proclamation of 1763

3. Quartering Act – to save money Parliament passed this act. It required the colonists to house British soldiers.

4. Parliament had a war debt they needed to pay, they needed income, or revenue (money raised by taxes), to pay this debt.

A. Sugar Act

1) Passed in 1764, this law taxed sugar, molasses, and other goods shipped to colonies.

2) Colonist, James Otis, claimed that Parliament had no right to tax without representation

· meaning they had no right to tax the colonies since colonists were not represented in Parliament

B. Stamp Act

1) Passed in 1765, required all legal documents and newspapers had an official stamp showing that a tax was paid on them

Colonists Respond

1. Colonists boycott British goods

2. Samuel Adams founded the Sons of Liberty – this was a group that opposed British policies

· They terrorized tax collectors by tar and feather

Parliament repeals the Stamp Act but now passes the Declaratory Act – states that Parliament has the supreme authority to govern the colonies.