Foundations of American Governance and Colonial Resistance

Foundations of Governance and Colonial Conflict

1. Constitutional Basis of Government

In a modern democracy, a constitution sets forth the basic rules and procedures for how the people shall be governed, including the powers and structure of the government.

2. The British Constitution

The British constitution is comprised of a series of documents that developed over time instead of a single document.

3. Rights of British Subjects

By the late eighteenth century, British subjects believed that the British constitution guaranteed them certain rights, including the right to be tried by a jury of their peers and the right not to be taxed without their consent.

4. The Stamp Act of 1765

The Stamp Act of 1765 established a tax on virtually all forms of paper used by the colonists.

5. Colonial Reaction to the Stamp Act

In response to the Stamp Act, the colonists reacted angrily by doing four things:

• Distributing pamphlets denouncing the loss of liberty.
• Forming trade associations to boycott British goods.
• Declaring their independence.
• Riots against stamp act collectors began.

6. Repeal and New Taxes

Britain repealed the Stamp Act in 1766 and replaced it with the Townshend Acts, which then imposed taxes on various imports.

7. Challenging the Townshend Acts

Led by Samuel Adams, the Massachusetts legislature issued a letter declaration that the Townshend Acts were unconstitutional because they violated the principle of “no taxation without representation.”

8. Patrick Henry's Famous Quote

Who said, “Give me liberty or give me death”? Patrick Henry.

9. Differences in Representation

As opposed to the American colonists who allowed greater participation and representation to free adult males, the British took a more limited view.

10. Escalating Tensions and British Response

As tensions rose, the colonists continued to resist the Townshend Acts through boycotting. The British responded by doing four things:

• Dissolving the Massachusetts legislature.
• Seizing a ship belonging to John Hancock.
• Sending troops to quell the resistance.
• Soldiers fired on a threatening crowd (aka the Boston Massacre).

11. Power Granted by the Coercive Acts

The Coercive Acts gave the royal governor the right to select the upper house of the Massachusetts legislature.

12. The First Continental Congress

Benjamin Franklin proposed a congress in order for the colonists to present a more unified front. This congress met in 1774 and is called by the name: The First Continental Congress.