Violence Essay, Research Paper

England wanted to control the colonies. Their plan was to

gain power over America so they would be able to tax the

colonists. In an attempt to get money, from the colonies,

England passed several acts, the Stamp Act and the

Quartering Act. The Quartering Act stated that the colonists

had to provide food and shelter for the royal troops. The

Stamp Act required the colonists to buy a stamp when they

purchased certain items. The Stamp Act angered everyone

because it hit everyone’s pocketbook. Colonists acted

strongly and quickly, the Stamp Act was later repealed.

Even though England had failed with the Stamp Act

they continued trying to gain control and tax the colonies.

Parliament passed the Townshend Acts in 1767 which

taxed paint, glass, lead, paper, and tea. Customs Officials

were granted documents, or writs of assistance, to enforce

the act. These documents, issued by a court, allowed them

to go into privet homes and businesses without reasonable

suspicions to look for smuggled goods, at any time!

In response, many groups started their own special

boycotts. The Daughters of Liberty, a group organized by

woman, held public spinning bees, where they made

Americana cloth. Paper, paint, and cloth were all made by

the colonists. A sense of unity was created with the help of

the boycott.

The colonists’ boycott of British goods paid off. In

1770 the British government repealed the Townshend taxes

on paint, paper, glass, and lead. The only item that still had

a Townshend tax was tea. This news calmed most colonists.

However, not everyone was happy, this was far from over.

The colonists stood their ground and fought for what

they believed they deserved. To be free! Free from

England’s rule, free from their taxes, and free to start their

new world, America.