3.3 Taxation without Representation
6 min read•january 9, 2023
James Glackin
Dalia Savy
James Glackin
Dalia Savy
At first, the French were winning the against the British. Remember that once became the Prime Minister of England, he reimbursed colonial assemblies for their costs, which raised colonial morale. In turn, the British began to win battles, and in the end, won the war.
One of the biggest consequences of the war was how much money it cost the British. How would they pay for these war debts? Increasing colonial taxes would seem to be a solution, but it would create both ideological and financial conflicts between the upstart colonists and the .
These conflicts all tie back to , the policy of the British government towards its colonies in North America in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Under this policy, the government largely ignored the colonies and allowed them to govern themselves, with little interference from the mother country. This helped to foster a sense of independence and self-reliance in the colonies, especially with the recent . No wonder the colonists rose up after the British put an end to this policy.
British Laws and Policies
The policy of began to change in the mid-eighteenth century, as the British government began to take a more active role in regulating the colonies. This shift was driven by a number of factors, including the growing costs of the , the need to raise revenue, and the belief that the colonies were becoming too independent.
Image Courtesy of History.com
Some of the laws and policies that were implemented to raise revenue and regular trade in the colonies included:
The : This act imposed taxes on sugar, molasses, and other products that were imported.
The : This act required the colonists to provide food, shelter, and other supplies to British soldiers stationed in the colonies. The act was intended to help defray the costs of maintaining a standing army in the colonies and to ensure that the soldiers were properly cared for.
The : This act imposed a tax on all printed materials, including newspapers, legal documents, and even playing cards. It was met with significant resistance from colonists in America, who argued that it violated their rights as Englishmen. This was a very triggering act for the colonists because of the ongoing in the colonies.
The : These acts imposed taxes on a variety of imported goods, including glass, lead, paint, and tea. They were met with arguably the most resistance, as the colonists loved tea. Additionally, the revenues from this tax would help pay the despised British government officials within the colonies.
The : This act granted the a monopoly on the sale of tea in the colonies and lowered the price of tea. It led to the famous , which we'll discuss soon, in which colonists threw crates of tea into the harbor to protest the tax.
The : These acts required that certain goods, such as sugar and tobacco, be shipped to Britain or its colonies on British-owned ships. They were intended to regulate trade and protect the interests of British merchants.
Overall, these laws and policies were a significant factor in the growing tensions between the colonies and the British government that eventually led to the , which is what we are building up to in this unit.
🎥Watch AP U.S. History teacher Caleb Lagerwey talk about some of the key documents that were involved in the foundations of the American Revolution.
Colonial Reactions
No Taxation Without Representation
"No taxation without representation" was a slogan that was widely used by colonists to protest against British taxes and policies. It was based on the idea that the colonists should not be taxed by the British government unless they had representatives in Parliament who could advocate on their behalf.
The slogan was first used during the Stamp Act crisis of 1765 when the British government imposed a tax on all printed materials in the colonies. The colonists argued that the tax was unjust because they did not have any representatives in distant Parliament that controlled them and therefore had no say in how they were taxed.
"The Destruction of Tea at Boston Harbor", lithograph depicting the 1773 Boston Tea Party
The colonists created the Stamp Act Congress of 1765, which demanded the king repeal the tax. Parliament eventually did just that to temporarily appease the colonists.
The Nonimportation Agreement
A handy colonial protest tool was the . It was a boycott of British goods, such as wool and linen, that was implemented by the colonists as a way to protest British policies.
The agreement called for the colonies to stop importing a wide range of goods from Britain, including textiles, clothing, and other manufactured products. The colonists also agreed to stop exporting certain goods, such as tobacco, to Britain.
Groups such as the would enforce these boycotts. The was a secret society formed by several prominent leaders such as , , and that played a role in the events leading up to the . This group was formed to protect the rights of colonists and resist British control through boycotts, protests, and intimidation.
The was a group of women who supported the cause of independence and worked to further the goals of the . The organized boycotts of British goods and provided support to the patriots in other ways, such as by spinning and weaving cloth to replace imported fabrics.
Tarring and Feathering
Violent protests by groups like the created quite a stir both in the colonies and in England itself. While extreme acts like the of in 1774 propagated more protest against symbols of Parliament’s tyranny throughout the colonies, violent demonstrations were regarded as acts of terrorism by British officials.
is a form of public punishment or torture that was used in the past to shame and punish people for various crimes or offenses. It involved covering a person's body with tar, a thick, black substance, and then covering the tar with feathers. The tar would stick to the person's skin and clothing, making it very difficult to remove.
This print below of the 1774 event was from the British perspective, picturing the Sons as brutal instigators with almost demonic smiles on their faces as they enacted this excruciating punishment on the Custom Commissioner.
Philip Dawe (attributed), “The Bostonians Paying the Excise-man, or Tarring and Feathering,” Wikimedia.
The Boston Tea Party
The also staged the most profound protest in Boston's harbor: The . On the night of December 16, 1773, a group of colonists, disguised as Native Americans, boarded three British ships that were docked in Boston Harbor and threw 342 chests of tea shipped by the .
The protest was in response to the Tea Act and was one of the first acts of open defiance by the colonists against British rule and helped to galvanize the independence movement. It caused the Parliament to punish Boston and the colony of Massachusetts severely.
The First Continental Congress
Finally, the reaction of Parliament caused a response by the colonists. Most of the colonies decided to meet in Philadelphia in 1774 as part of the . Here, the colonists discussed ways to solve their grievances and petitioned Parliament.
They created a colony-wide and sent a polite letter to explaining their dissatisfaction, emphasizing their loyalty.
Key Terms to Review (28)
"No Taxation Without Representation"
: A slogan originating during the 1750s and 1760s that summarized a primary grievance of American colonists in Thirteen Colonies. It was one of major causes of American Revolution.American Revolution
: A war fought from 1775-1783 between Great Britain and thirteen British colonies on North American continent which resulted in independence for these colonies forming United States of America.Boston Tea Party
: The Boston Tea Party was a political protest by the Sons of Liberty in Boston, Massachusetts, on December 16, 1773. They dumped 342 chests of tea imported by the British East India Company into the harbor as a response to the Tea Act.Boston’s Commissioner of Customs
: The Commissioner of Customs in Boston was a British-appointed official responsible for enforcing customs laws and collecting taxes on imported goods.British East India Company
: The British East India Company was an English company formed in 1600 for the exploitation of trade with East and Southeast Asia and India. It played a significant role in the history of Britain's colonial empire.Committee of Correspondence
: The Committees of Correspondence were shadow governments organized by Patriot leaders in the Thirteen Colonies on the eve of American Revolution. They coordinated responses to Britain and shared their plans; they networked colonial opposition against British rule.Daughters of Liberty
: The Daughters of Liberty were a group of women in the American colonies who showed their patriotism and helped the cause for independence by boycotting British goods and making homemade alternatives.First Continental Congress
: The First Continental Congress was a meeting held between September 5 and October 26, 1774 in Philadelphia. It brought together delegates from twelve of America's thirteen colonies (Georgia did not participate) as a response against Britain's Coercive Acts.French and Indian War
: The French and Indian War was a conflict in North America, lasting from 1754 to 1763, that represented colonial events related to the European conflict known as the Seven Years' War.Great Awakening
: The Great Awakening refers to a number of periods of religious revival in American Christian history. Historians identify three or four waves of increased religious enthusiasm occurring between the early 18th century and late 20th century.John Hancock
: John Hancock was a merchant, statesman, and prominent Patriot of the American Revolution. He served as president of the Second Continental Congress and was first and third Governor of Massachusetts. He is remembered for his large signature on the United States Declaration of Independence.King George III
: King George III was the British monarch who reigned during the American Revolutionary War. He is often associated with the policies that led to the rebellion of the American colonies.Navigation Acts
: The Navigation Acts were a series of laws passed by the British Parliament in the 17th and 18th centuries that regulated trade between England and its colonies. The acts were designed to promote British shipping and allow Britain to reap the benefits of colonial trade.Nonimportation Agreement
: A Nonimportation Agreement is a pact made by traders not to import goods from specific countries or during certain periods. In this context, it refers to agreements made by colonial merchants not to import or sell goods from Britain as a form of protest against taxes.Paul Revere
: Paul Revere was an American silversmith, engraver, early industrialist, and Patriot during the American Revolution. He is best known for his midnight ride to alert colonial militia about approaching British forces before battles at Lexington and Concord.Print Culture
: Print culture refers to the cultural transformation that occurred as written texts became more widely available with the advent of printing technology.Quartering Act of 1765
: The Quartering Act of 1765 was a law passed by the British Parliament that required American colonists to provide housing, food, and other provisions to British soldiers stationed in the colonies.Royal Crown
: The Royal Crown refers to monarchy or the reigning monarch in Britain during a given period. In context of AP US History, it often refers to King George III who reigned during American Revolution.Salutary Neglect
: This was an unofficial British policy in the colonies that allowed them to violate the Navigation Laws as long as they remained loyal to Britain and profitable.Samuel Adams
: Samuel Adams was a statesman, political philosopher, and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. He was a leader in the movement that became the American Revolution and was instrumental in organizing protests against British taxation, including the Boston Tea Party.Sons of Liberty
: The Sons of Liberty was a secret revolutionary organization that was created in the Thirteen American Colonies to advance the rights of the European colonists and to fight taxation by the British government.Stamp Act Congress of 1765
: The Stamp Act Congress was a meeting held in New York City, consisting of representatives from some of the British colonies in North America. It was the first gathering of elected representatives from several American colonies to devise a unified protest against new British taxation.Stamp Act of 1765
: The Stamp Act was a tax imposed by the British Parliament on the American colonies requiring them to pay tax on every piece of printed paper they used including legal documents, newspapers, and even playing cards.Sugar Act of 1764
: The Sugar Act was a law passed by British Parliament designed to raise revenue from American colonists by taxing sugar and molasses imported into the colonies.Tarring and Feathering
: Tarring and feathering was a form of public humiliation used by colonists against those they perceived as enemies, often loyalists or tax collectors. It involved covering someone in hot tar followed by feathers.Tea Act of 1773
: The Tea Act was a law passed by British Parliament in 1773 designed to save the struggling British East India Company by allowing it to sell tea directly to American colonists without any taxes.Townshend Acts of 1767
: The Townshend Acts were a series of laws passed by the British government in 1767 that placed new taxes on imports to the American colonies, including glass, lead, paints, paper and tea.William Pitt
: William Pitt (1708-1778) was an influential British statesman who served as Prime Minister during crucial periods including during much of the Seven Years’ War. He is known for his strategic planning that helped Britain win over France.3.3 Taxation without Representation
6 min read•january 9, 2023
James Glackin
Dalia Savy
James Glackin
Dalia Savy
At first, the French were winning the against the British. Remember that once became the Prime Minister of England, he reimbursed colonial assemblies for their costs, which raised colonial morale. In turn, the British began to win battles, and in the end, won the war.
One of the biggest consequences of the war was how much money it cost the British. How would they pay for these war debts? Increasing colonial taxes would seem to be a solution, but it would create both ideological and financial conflicts between the upstart colonists and the .
These conflicts all tie back to , the policy of the British government towards its colonies in North America in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Under this policy, the government largely ignored the colonies and allowed them to govern themselves, with little interference from the mother country. This helped to foster a sense of independence and self-reliance in the colonies, especially with the recent . No wonder the colonists rose up after the British put an end to this policy.
British Laws and Policies
The policy of began to change in the mid-eighteenth century, as the British government began to take a more active role in regulating the colonies. This shift was driven by a number of factors, including the growing costs of the , the need to raise revenue, and the belief that the colonies were becoming too independent.
Image Courtesy of History.com
Some of the laws and policies that were implemented to raise revenue and regular trade in the colonies included:
The : This act imposed taxes on sugar, molasses, and other products that were imported.
The : This act required the colonists to provide food, shelter, and other supplies to British soldiers stationed in the colonies. The act was intended to help defray the costs of maintaining a standing army in the colonies and to ensure that the soldiers were properly cared for.
The : This act imposed a tax on all printed materials, including newspapers, legal documents, and even playing cards. It was met with significant resistance from colonists in America, who argued that it violated their rights as Englishmen. This was a very triggering act for the colonists because of the ongoing in the colonies.
The : These acts imposed taxes on a variety of imported goods, including glass, lead, paint, and tea. They were met with arguably the most resistance, as the colonists loved tea. Additionally, the revenues from this tax would help pay the despised British government officials within the colonies.
The : This act granted the a monopoly on the sale of tea in the colonies and lowered the price of tea. It led to the famous , which we'll discuss soon, in which colonists threw crates of tea into the harbor to protest the tax.
The : These acts required that certain goods, such as sugar and tobacco, be shipped to Britain or its colonies on British-owned ships. They were intended to regulate trade and protect the interests of British merchants.
Overall, these laws and policies were a significant factor in the growing tensions between the colonies and the British government that eventually led to the , which is what we are building up to in this unit.
🎥Watch AP U.S. History teacher Caleb Lagerwey talk about some of the key documents that were involved in the foundations of the American Revolution.
Colonial Reactions
No Taxation Without Representation
"No taxation without representation" was a slogan that was widely used by colonists to protest against British taxes and policies. It was based on the idea that the colonists should not be taxed by the British government unless they had representatives in Parliament who could advocate on their behalf.
The slogan was first used during the Stamp Act crisis of 1765 when the British government imposed a tax on all printed materials in the colonies. The colonists argued that the tax was unjust because they did not have any representatives in distant Parliament that controlled them and therefore had no say in how they were taxed.
"The Destruction of Tea at Boston Harbor", lithograph depicting the 1773 Boston Tea Party
The colonists created the Stamp Act Congress of 1765, which demanded the king repeal the tax. Parliament eventually did just that to temporarily appease the colonists.
The Nonimportation Agreement
A handy colonial protest tool was the . It was a boycott of British goods, such as wool and linen, that was implemented by the colonists as a way to protest British policies.
The agreement called for the colonies to stop importing a wide range of goods from Britain, including textiles, clothing, and other manufactured products. The colonists also agreed to stop exporting certain goods, such as tobacco, to Britain.
Groups such as the would enforce these boycotts. The was a secret society formed by several prominent leaders such as , , and that played a role in the events leading up to the . This group was formed to protect the rights of colonists and resist British control through boycotts, protests, and intimidation.
The was a group of women who supported the cause of independence and worked to further the goals of the . The organized boycotts of British goods and provided support to the patriots in other ways, such as by spinning and weaving cloth to replace imported fabrics.
Tarring and Feathering
Violent protests by groups like the created quite a stir both in the colonies and in England itself. While extreme acts like the of in 1774 propagated more protest against symbols of Parliament’s tyranny throughout the colonies, violent demonstrations were regarded as acts of terrorism by British officials.
is a form of public punishment or torture that was used in the past to shame and punish people for various crimes or offenses. It involved covering a person's body with tar, a thick, black substance, and then covering the tar with feathers. The tar would stick to the person's skin and clothing, making it very difficult to remove.
This print below of the 1774 event was from the British perspective, picturing the Sons as brutal instigators with almost demonic smiles on their faces as they enacted this excruciating punishment on the Custom Commissioner.
Philip Dawe (attributed), “The Bostonians Paying the Excise-man, or Tarring and Feathering,” Wikimedia.
The Boston Tea Party
The also staged the most profound protest in Boston's harbor: The . On the night of December 16, 1773, a group of colonists, disguised as Native Americans, boarded three British ships that were docked in Boston Harbor and threw 342 chests of tea shipped by the .
The protest was in response to the Tea Act and was one of the first acts of open defiance by the colonists against British rule and helped to galvanize the independence movement. It caused the Parliament to punish Boston and the colony of Massachusetts severely.
The First Continental Congress
Finally, the reaction of Parliament caused a response by the colonists. Most of the colonies decided to meet in Philadelphia in 1774 as part of the . Here, the colonists discussed ways to solve their grievances and petitioned Parliament.
They created a colony-wide and sent a polite letter to explaining their dissatisfaction, emphasizing their loyalty.
Key Terms to Review (28)
"No Taxation Without Representation"
: A slogan originating during the 1750s and 1760s that summarized a primary grievance of American colonists in Thirteen Colonies. It was one of major causes of American Revolution.American Revolution
: A war fought from 1775-1783 between Great Britain and thirteen British colonies on North American continent which resulted in independence for these colonies forming United States of America.Boston Tea Party
: The Boston Tea Party was a political protest by the Sons of Liberty in Boston, Massachusetts, on December 16, 1773. They dumped 342 chests of tea imported by the British East India Company into the harbor as a response to the Tea Act.Boston’s Commissioner of Customs
: The Commissioner of Customs in Boston was a British-appointed official responsible for enforcing customs laws and collecting taxes on imported goods.British East India Company
: The British East India Company was an English company formed in 1600 for the exploitation of trade with East and Southeast Asia and India. It played a significant role in the history of Britain's colonial empire.Committee of Correspondence
: The Committees of Correspondence were shadow governments organized by Patriot leaders in the Thirteen Colonies on the eve of American Revolution. They coordinated responses to Britain and shared their plans; they networked colonial opposition against British rule.Daughters of Liberty
: The Daughters of Liberty were a group of women in the American colonies who showed their patriotism and helped the cause for independence by boycotting British goods and making homemade alternatives.First Continental Congress
: The First Continental Congress was a meeting held between September 5 and October 26, 1774 in Philadelphia. It brought together delegates from twelve of America's thirteen colonies (Georgia did not participate) as a response against Britain's Coercive Acts.French and Indian War
: The French and Indian War was a conflict in North America, lasting from 1754 to 1763, that represented colonial events related to the European conflict known as the Seven Years' War.Great Awakening
: The Great Awakening refers to a number of periods of religious revival in American Christian history. Historians identify three or four waves of increased religious enthusiasm occurring between the early 18th century and late 20th century.John Hancock
: John Hancock was a merchant, statesman, and prominent Patriot of the American Revolution. He served as president of the Second Continental Congress and was first and third Governor of Massachusetts. He is remembered for his large signature on the United States Declaration of Independence.King George III
: King George III was the British monarch who reigned during the American Revolutionary War. He is often associated with the policies that led to the rebellion of the American colonies.Navigation Acts
: The Navigation Acts were a series of laws passed by the British Parliament in the 17th and 18th centuries that regulated trade between England and its colonies. The acts were designed to promote British shipping and allow Britain to reap the benefits of colonial trade.Nonimportation Agreement
: A Nonimportation Agreement is a pact made by traders not to import goods from specific countries or during certain periods. In this context, it refers to agreements made by colonial merchants not to import or sell goods from Britain as a form of protest against taxes.Paul Revere
: Paul Revere was an American silversmith, engraver, early industrialist, and Patriot during the American Revolution. He is best known for his midnight ride to alert colonial militia about approaching British forces before battles at Lexington and Concord.Print Culture
: Print culture refers to the cultural transformation that occurred as written texts became more widely available with the advent of printing technology.Quartering Act of 1765
: The Quartering Act of 1765 was a law passed by the British Parliament that required American colonists to provide housing, food, and other provisions to British soldiers stationed in the colonies.Royal Crown
: The Royal Crown refers to monarchy or the reigning monarch in Britain during a given period. In context of AP US History, it often refers to King George III who reigned during American Revolution.Salutary Neglect
: This was an unofficial British policy in the colonies that allowed them to violate the Navigation Laws as long as they remained loyal to Britain and profitable.Samuel Adams
: Samuel Adams was a statesman, political philosopher, and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. He was a leader in the movement that became the American Revolution and was instrumental in organizing protests against British taxation, including the Boston Tea Party.Sons of Liberty
: The Sons of Liberty was a secret revolutionary organization that was created in the Thirteen American Colonies to advance the rights of the European colonists and to fight taxation by the British government.Stamp Act Congress of 1765
: The Stamp Act Congress was a meeting held in New York City, consisting of representatives from some of the British colonies in North America. It was the first gathering of elected representatives from several American colonies to devise a unified protest against new British taxation.Stamp Act of 1765
: The Stamp Act was a tax imposed by the British Parliament on the American colonies requiring them to pay tax on every piece of printed paper they used including legal documents, newspapers, and even playing cards.Sugar Act of 1764
: The Sugar Act was a law passed by British Parliament designed to raise revenue from American colonists by taxing sugar and molasses imported into the colonies.Tarring and Feathering
: Tarring and feathering was a form of public humiliation used by colonists against those they perceived as enemies, often loyalists or tax collectors. It involved covering someone in hot tar followed by feathers.Tea Act of 1773
: The Tea Act was a law passed by British Parliament in 1773 designed to save the struggling British East India Company by allowing it to sell tea directly to American colonists without any taxes.Townshend Acts of 1767
: The Townshend Acts were a series of laws passed by the British government in 1767 that placed new taxes on imports to the American colonies, including glass, lead, paints, paper and tea.William Pitt
: William Pitt (1708-1778) was an influential British statesman who served as Prime Minister during crucial periods including during much of the Seven Years’ War. He is known for his strategic planning that helped Britain win over France.
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