Chapter 5-Give Me Liberty
George III - ANSKing of Great Britain. Took throne in 1760.
Molasses Act (1733) - ANSAct thats goal was to restrict trade between the French Caribbean
and New England. Did so by imposing a tax on french molasses which was a common
ingredient in liquor.
Navigation Acts - ANSAimed to control key exports like tobacco. Was ignored by the colonists.
"virtual representation" - ANSWhen Britain was burdened with war debt they decided to increase
taxes. People wanted representation in the assemblies, but were told that each member
represented the entire empire, not just his own district. However americans continued to
demand representation
writs of assistance - ANSLegal document that has a particular purpose. were Issued by the
British government, were general search warrants allowing British government officials to search
anywhere they wanted. This was a matter of concern for the citizens of the colonies. In a court
case in 1761, James Otis, a lawyer, said that this was "an instrument of arbitrary power,
destructive to English liberty, and the fundamental principles of the Constitution," said
parliament had no right to authorize them.
James Otis - ANSLawyer who went against the writs of assistance. Said that they were "an
instrument of arbitrary power, destructive to English liberty, and the fundamental principles of the
Constitution," and thus parliament had no right to use them.
Sugar Act (1764) - ANSIntroduced by Prime Minister George Grenville, was an act that reduced
tax on molasses by 50%. However new machinery to end smuggling. Strengthed the admiralty
courts, and gave accused smugglers jury free trials. Seen by colonists not as tax reduction, but
as an attempt to get them to pay what otherwise shouldn't be paid
George Grenville - ANSPrime minister who introduced the sugar act
admiralty courts - ANSCourt where accused smugglers would go. Strengthened by the Sugar
Act. After Sugar act accused smugglers could be given a trial without the benefit of a jury.
Revenue Act (1764) - ANSPlaced items such as wool and hides on the enumerated list, which
meant that they would have to be imported through England.
enumerated list - ANSList that meant items would have to be imported through England.
Created by the Revenue Act.
, "legal tender" - ANSBritish didn't want Americans to use their own money, required them to
accept gold and british money.
Stamp Act (1765) - ANSFirst time colonists were DIRECTLY taxed. Required all printed material
to carry a stamp that was issued by authorities. Had the goal to help finance the operation of the
british empire. Many many people were offended by this act, from rich to poor. Opposition to this
act was the first main drama of the revolution. Eventually repealed in 1766.
Stamp Act Congress (1765) - ANSCreated in October of 1765, had 27 delegates from 9 different
colonies (including most prominent men in America). First met in New York and agreed they had
the right to consent to taxation. Organized Boycotts with merchants that wouldn't buy British
goods until the act was repealed.
boycott - ANSRefusing to buy goods. In this case it was the merchants refusing to buy British
goods until the British would repeal the stamp act.
Liberty Tree - ANSLarge elm tree in Boston, Massachusetts in which a sculpture of Andrew
Oliver, a major stamp distributor was hung. Represented Freedom and liberty!
Andrew Oliver - ANSStamp distributor, stature of him was hung on the liberty tree.
Liberty Pole - ANSIn new york city, made by opponents of the stamp act
Committees of Correspondence - ANSLocated in boston, communicated with other colonies to
organize opposition to the sugar and currency acts.
Sons of Liberty - ANSOpposing group of the stamp act, was led by Alexander McDougall, Isaac
Sears, and John Lamb. They spoke Dutch, French, and German. Posted signs that said
"Liberty, Property, and No Stamps" Led the boycott of British Products. Their actions did get
somewhat out of hand, such as burning down houses.
Declaratory Act (1766) - ANSCreated when the stamp act was repealed, rejected Americans'
claims that only the elected representatives could change taxes.
land speculators - ANSPeople that cause a recurring issue in the United States History. People
that try to buy land at low prices and wait for it to raise in value, and sell it, opposed to
developing/farming the land. Looked down on as people who wanted to make money than help
the colony. Called Rent Seeking Behavior.
Ethan Allen - ANSLeader of "the settlers". He insisted that land should be belonging to those
that work on it. He claimed that outsiders were trying to enslave people. Would found Vermont
with the Greenmountain boys.
Greenmountain Boys - ANSFounders of Vermont, One was Ethan Allen.
George III - ANSKing of Great Britain. Took throne in 1760.
Molasses Act (1733) - ANSAct thats goal was to restrict trade between the French Caribbean
and New England. Did so by imposing a tax on french molasses which was a common
ingredient in liquor.
Navigation Acts - ANSAimed to control key exports like tobacco. Was ignored by the colonists.
"virtual representation" - ANSWhen Britain was burdened with war debt they decided to increase
taxes. People wanted representation in the assemblies, but were told that each member
represented the entire empire, not just his own district. However americans continued to
demand representation
writs of assistance - ANSLegal document that has a particular purpose. were Issued by the
British government, were general search warrants allowing British government officials to search
anywhere they wanted. This was a matter of concern for the citizens of the colonies. In a court
case in 1761, James Otis, a lawyer, said that this was "an instrument of arbitrary power,
destructive to English liberty, and the fundamental principles of the Constitution," said
parliament had no right to authorize them.
James Otis - ANSLawyer who went against the writs of assistance. Said that they were "an
instrument of arbitrary power, destructive to English liberty, and the fundamental principles of the
Constitution," and thus parliament had no right to use them.
Sugar Act (1764) - ANSIntroduced by Prime Minister George Grenville, was an act that reduced
tax on molasses by 50%. However new machinery to end smuggling. Strengthed the admiralty
courts, and gave accused smugglers jury free trials. Seen by colonists not as tax reduction, but
as an attempt to get them to pay what otherwise shouldn't be paid
George Grenville - ANSPrime minister who introduced the sugar act
admiralty courts - ANSCourt where accused smugglers would go. Strengthened by the Sugar
Act. After Sugar act accused smugglers could be given a trial without the benefit of a jury.
Revenue Act (1764) - ANSPlaced items such as wool and hides on the enumerated list, which
meant that they would have to be imported through England.
enumerated list - ANSList that meant items would have to be imported through England.
Created by the Revenue Act.
, "legal tender" - ANSBritish didn't want Americans to use their own money, required them to
accept gold and british money.
Stamp Act (1765) - ANSFirst time colonists were DIRECTLY taxed. Required all printed material
to carry a stamp that was issued by authorities. Had the goal to help finance the operation of the
british empire. Many many people were offended by this act, from rich to poor. Opposition to this
act was the first main drama of the revolution. Eventually repealed in 1766.
Stamp Act Congress (1765) - ANSCreated in October of 1765, had 27 delegates from 9 different
colonies (including most prominent men in America). First met in New York and agreed they had
the right to consent to taxation. Organized Boycotts with merchants that wouldn't buy British
goods until the act was repealed.
boycott - ANSRefusing to buy goods. In this case it was the merchants refusing to buy British
goods until the British would repeal the stamp act.
Liberty Tree - ANSLarge elm tree in Boston, Massachusetts in which a sculpture of Andrew
Oliver, a major stamp distributor was hung. Represented Freedom and liberty!
Andrew Oliver - ANSStamp distributor, stature of him was hung on the liberty tree.
Liberty Pole - ANSIn new york city, made by opponents of the stamp act
Committees of Correspondence - ANSLocated in boston, communicated with other colonies to
organize opposition to the sugar and currency acts.
Sons of Liberty - ANSOpposing group of the stamp act, was led by Alexander McDougall, Isaac
Sears, and John Lamb. They spoke Dutch, French, and German. Posted signs that said
"Liberty, Property, and No Stamps" Led the boycott of British Products. Their actions did get
somewhat out of hand, such as burning down houses.
Declaratory Act (1766) - ANSCreated when the stamp act was repealed, rejected Americans'
claims that only the elected representatives could change taxes.
land speculators - ANSPeople that cause a recurring issue in the United States History. People
that try to buy land at low prices and wait for it to raise in value, and sell it, opposed to
developing/farming the land. Looked down on as people who wanted to make money than help
the colony. Called Rent Seeking Behavior.
Ethan Allen - ANSLeader of "the settlers". He insisted that land should be belonging to those
that work on it. He claimed that outsiders were trying to enslave people. Would found Vermont
with the Greenmountain boys.
Greenmountain Boys - ANSFounders of Vermont, One was Ethan Allen.
