The Spirit of Independence
writs of assistance-These documents allowed the officers to search almost anywhere—shops, warehouses, and even private homes for smuggled goods.
In 1764 Parliament passed the Sugar Act, which lowered the tax on the molasses imported. Grenville hoped this change would convince the colonists to pay the tax instead of smuggling. The act also allowed officers to seize goods from accused smugglers "no taxation without representation"was known as a basic right In 1765 Parliament passed the Stamp Act. This law taxed almost all printed materials. Newspapers, wills, and even playing cards needed a stamp to show that the tax had been paid. in 1767 Parliament passed the Townshend Acts to tax imports such as glass, tea, and paper Parliament repealed the Townshend Acts taxes on British imports, except the one on tea . |
Colonial merchants called for a new boycott. Colonists vowed to stop East India Company ships from unloading
the East India Company continued shipping tea to the colonies. In 1773 three ships loaded with tea arrived in Boston Harbor.. The Boston Sons of Liberty acted at midnight on December 16, colonists dressed as Native Americans boarded the ships and threw 342 chests of tea overboard.- "Boston Tea Party" One of the Coercive Acts banned town meetings in Massachusetts. Another closed Boston Harbor until the colonists paid for the ruined tea |