Salutary neglect
England got distracted with a series of European wars –> leads to industrialization in America (commodity production)
Mercantilism
focused on building an empire and seizing as much gold as possible (limited supply)
7 Years War
(aka F & I war) War creates problems despite victory:
George Grenville
Prime minister after 7 yrs war. Realizes tensions and begins to keep a closer eye on Am.
Imperial reorganization
England wants Am to pay for 7 yrs war
Sugar Act
Imposes duties and taxes on commodity imports
Duties
regulate trade
Taxes
raise revenue
Writs of assistance
Search warrants on steroids
Stamp Act
Tax on paper paid in “specie” (in coin) –> repealed later after pop. violence
Crowd Action resistance
Pressures British merchants and targets English officials
Andrew Oliver
Appointed stamp distributor in Boston (angry mob attacks house)
Stamp Act Congress
9 colonies send delegates to NY to layout American justification for resistance
Stamp Act Congress arguments
2. Each colony has right to self gov
Ben Franklin’s Lie
Americans are ok with external taxes but won’t tolerate internal taxes»_space; Townshend Acts
Townshend Acts
Imposes external taxes on paint, paper, tea // sends 4,000 redcoats to Boston»_space; increased resistance
External tax
Merchant taxes
Internal tax
In your face taxes (paper, paint, etc)
Boston Massacre
People massacred outside customs office due to crowd action»_space; parliament repeals Townshend acts
Declaratory Act
Says parliament has the right to pass any laws they wish
Quartering Act
Americans must provide quarters for redcoats
Tea Act
Parliament grants E.I.T.C a monopoly on tea»_space; Am. boycott on tea
Order of Acts
Boston Tea Party
Americans dressed as Indian to empty tea into harbor