The Start of a Revolution

What causes a revolution?

• Throughout history, revolutions have occurred when a large number of people become unhappy, unsatisfied, or even angry about the way the government is handling things.

What upset the Colonists?

• After winning the French and Indian War, the British expanded its empire, which cost money.

• To pay for the expenses, they began taxing the colonists heavily.

What was the “Stamp Act” ?

• The Stamp Act was a tax put on all printed documents such as newspapers, college diplomas and even playing cards.

• Was called the Stamp Act because all documents had a stamp to show it had been taxed.

Why were the Colonists upset by the Stamp Act?

• The Colonists were ok with paying taxes to colonial assemblies, but not to the British Parliament.

• The Colonists had no representatives or input for this government and felt they were giving their money away.

How did the Colonists take action?

• They protested! (Sound familiar?)

• Men organized into groups to protest the Stamp Act. – “Sons of Liberty”

• North Carolinians were active, especially in Wilmington. They would stop stamped paper from making it to shore.