Page 24 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2017 - Boston

22  INTRODUCING BOST ON

Revolutionary Boston

It was in Boston, the most important city in the 13 British
colonies, that ideas for independence were nurtured and
the American Revolution born. The colonists’ main quarrel
with Britain lay in taxation. The Stamp Act of 1765, and the
later Townshend Acts, which placed duties on imports,
inflamed colonists because they had no vote. “No taxation
without rep resentation” became a common cry. The
so-called “Sons of Liberty,” led by Samuel Adams,
demanded and received the repeal of the Stamp Act. The Boston Tea Party (1773)
However, attempts to enforce the Townshend Acts led to In protest at taxation, Boston
patriots boarded three British East
the Boston Massacre, a tragedy that signaled increas ingly India Company ships and threw
poor relations between Britain and its colonies. their cargoes of tea into Boston
Harbor (see p77).

The Boston Massacre (1770) Old State House
At the time of the Townshend Acts, (see pp62–63)
British troops were sent to Boston to protect
customs commissioners. Bostonians often
scoffed at the soldiers and threw stones. On
March 5, 1770 the jeering got out of hand.
Shots were fired and five Americans fell.

Five Americans were
killed when British troops
shot into the crowd.

The Battle of Bunker Hill (1775)
In June 1775, militiamen from all over New England
traveled to Boston to wrest control of the city from
the British. The Americans lost the ensuing battle,
the bloodiest of the Revolution.

1765 British Parliament 1773 Tea Act gives British East India
passes the Stamp Act Company monopoly. Boston Tea Party
British
Revenue
stamp
1765 1770
1767 Townshend Acts
place duties on imports 1770 Five Americans killed
in Boston Massacre
1766 Repeal of the Stamp Act

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Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Starsight history template “UK” LAYER
(Source v1.2)
Date 7th January 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm