The Struggle for American Independence: The Writs of Assistance
In several ways, the Writs of Assistance sparked a constitutional confrontation between the two powers, which remained a key theme of the entire patriot struggle against Britain.
The Struggle for American Independence: The French and Indian War
In many ways, it is important to have a basic grasp of this conflict to provide a true understanding of the coming clash between the American colonies and Britain.
The Struggle for American Independence: The 13 Colonies
People tend to view the colonies as essentially homogeneous, but in fact, they differed significantly in their cultures, religions, economies and political views.
Today in History: Parliament Passes the Quartering Act
The act required the colonists to quarter British soldiers at “inns, livery stables, ale houses, victualing houses, and the houses of sellers of wine and houses of persons selling of rum, brandy, strong water, cider or metheglin.
Today in History: Patrick Henry’s “Give me Liberty” Speech
On March 23, 1775, tensions in Virginia were at their highest point during the imperial crisis with Britain. The House of Burgesses, the state’s elected assembly, was about to make a bold decision which may have turned the tide of the entire patriot struggle – a decision commit its militia to the cause. Britain had…
Today in History: Parliament Repeals the Stamp Act
Today in 1766, British Parliament repealed the Stamp Act, after months of protest from the colonies and British merchants. On the same day, it also passed the Declaratory Act, a pronouncement that Parliament’s authority in North America was supreme and binding upon the colonies. It declared that Parliament had the authority “to make laws and…
Today in History: The Boston Massacre, a Pivotal Step on the Road to Independence.
Today in history, Mar. 5, 1770, a violent incident unfolded on Boston’s King Street, where an agitated group of colonists swarmed around a group of British regulars. This came to be known as the “Boston Massacre.” After a group of Bostonians uttered insults, threw snowballs, and dared the British to fire, several soldiers ultimately fired…
From the Stamp Act to the Tea Party: What the Old Revolutionaries Can Teach us for Today
Until at least the 1960s or so, the "progressive school" of history suggested that we totally ignore the views and works of old revolutionaries like Samuel Adams and James Otis.
John Hancock and Richard Henry Lee: Resisting “The Damned Act”
In October 1765, just two weeks before the Stamp Act was set to go into effect, Hancock sent a letter to his London agent, Johnathan Bernard, capturing the spirit of the time.
Today in History: The Boston Tea Party
After Francis Rotch’s request that the ships be allowed to return to England without unloading their cargo or paying the tax is denied, Samuel Adams announces “This meeting can do nothing more to save our country!”