Heimler's History: Taxation Without Representation

Context and Background

• Previous Video: Discussed the French and Indian War as part of Unit 3 of AP U.S. History curriculum.
• Current Focus: Taxation without representation leading to the American Revolution.

Post-French and Indian War

• The war was costly for Britain.
• Britain sought to have American colonies share the financial burden.

Salutary Neglect

• Definition: Britain's policy of loosely enforcing colonial regulations.
• Effect: Colonists engaged in smuggling and illegal trade.
• When Britain needed funds, they ended salutary neglect.

British Clampdown

• Prime Minister George Grenville’s Plan:
  1. Stricter enforcement of Navigation Acts.
  2. Extension of wartime provisions, e.g., Quartering Act of 1765.
  3. Imposing taxes like Sugar Act and Stamp Act of 1765.
  4. Currency Act restricted colonial paper money.

Colonial Response

• Colonists faced declining wages and rising unemployment.
• Debate on Taxes: "No taxation without representation."
  • Enlightenment influences: social contract, natural rights.
  • British argument of virtual representation.
  • Colonists insisted on local representation.

Organized Colonial Resistance

• Groups: Sons of Liberty, Daughters of Liberty, Vox Populi.
• Stamp Act Congress (1765):
  • Delegates from nine colonies petitioned against Stamp Act.
  • Asserted loyalty to Britain but demanded rights as citizens.

British Legislation and Colonist Reactions

• Repeal: Stamp and Sugar Acts repealed in 1766.
• Declaratory Act: Asserted Britain's right to legislate for colonies.
• Townshend Acts (1767): Tax on imports like paper, tea, glass.
  • Led to organized protests and boycotts, increasing unity across colonies.

Major Events Leading to Escalation

• Boston Massacre (1770):

  • Incident led to shootings; 4 colonists dead.
  • Soldiers defended by John Adams; 6 acquitted.
  • Sparked outrage and perception of British tyranny.

• Boston Tea Party (1773):

  • Response to the Tea Act.
  • Sons of Liberty dumped 45 tons of tea into Boston Harbor.

British Retaliation

• Coercive Acts (1774):
  • Closed Boston Harbor.
  • New Quartering Act.
  • Known as the Intolerable Acts in colonies.
• Colonial Reaction:
  • Rapid spread of news.
  • Formation of militias and preparations for defense.

Conclusion

• Tensions mounting towards the American Revolution.
• Next steps to be discussed in future lectures.