2.+Stamp+Act

The Stamp Act =Objectives:=
 * Analyze the Stamp Act and the Resolutions of the Stamp Act Congress.
 * Identify the Colonists’ responses to the Stamp Act.
 * Describe how mobs were used to achieve political change.
 * Evaluate the moral principles of using a mob to achieve political change.

= = =Introduction= The Sugar Act was repealed in 1766 due in large part to the action taken by colonists, with Bostonians leading the charge. This act was not repealed until after a new set of taxes had been levied on the colonies: The Stamp Act. The Stamp Act was a direct tax, placed on Americans by Parliament in 1765. This was a tax which became very personal for many colonists as it quickly drove up their cost of living.

//Describe what you think is the difference between a **__direct__** and **__indirect__** tax in 1-2 sentences.//
 * Opening Activity: **

Pair/Share your answers with a partner. Reach a consensus on what you think is the correct definition.

Using a trustworthy search engine, look up both key terms and fix your answers based upon what you learn. Cite the websites from where you found your information.

Give a modern day example of a direct tax and a modern example of an indirect tax. = =

Activity 1

Read the Summary of the Stamp Act of 1765, as transcribed from the Colonial Williamsburg website: Keep this document open as you will need to refer back to it throughout today's activities.
 * What class of people was more directly affected by the Stamp Act (Rich or poor)? Explain.
 * How did the Stamp Act raise concerns among the colonists about Britain’s right to tax them?

Post your answers in the discussion tab of this website. Once all answers have been posted, respond to at least two of your classmates posts.

With a partner, complete the Frayer Model on the Stamp Act below:

Do you think the Stamp Act is a direct or indirect tax? Explain using supporting details and strong reasoning.

Activity 2:
Read //The resolutions of the Stamp Act Congress: October 19, 1765//

Mark up the document, using the mark-up tools in Microsoft Word. As you highlight, make sure to take note of the Author, Time when it was written, Where it was written. In addition, look for words that you think might be important. If you understand those words, explain them and if not, look them up!

As you read, take notes in the attached two column notes template.



Activity 3
How does it seem the colonists felt about the Stamp Act? How do you think they might react to the imposition of this law?

Listen to a Podcast describing the events of August 14, 1765.

As you listen, complete the following //**I Hear / It Means**// chart. Be sure to be as specific as possible.



Go back to your predictions that you made before listening to the podcast. Were your predictions correct or not? Explain your thinking behind your prediction, and why it was either the same or different from the colonists.

In response to the events of August 14, the British government responded:

Read the following document: //“Proclamation, 1765, Published by Authority by his Excellency Francis Bernard, Esquire”// []

//“The Boston Riot of 26 August 1765”//
 * []**

Make notes in the following two column notes template for both readings.

Summarize the situation in Boston in late August of 1765. Come up with a possible peaceful resolution for the crisis over the Stamp Act.

The introductions for the documents were adapted from the Massachusetts Foundation for the Humanities website: [] ==

==

**Summarizing Activity**
Upon completion of the examination of the primary sources, you will demonstrate your understanding by creating an editorial on the issues presented in this lesson. //An editorial is a newspaper article in which the author expresses his or her opinion on a certain event or issue. The author needs to support his or her opinion using factual evidence.// **Boston Gazette Editorial September 1, 1765** //You are an editorial writer for the Boston Gazette. You’ve witnessed the action taken by the mob against Andrew Oliver and Thomas Hutchinson. You will be writing an editorial in response to the statement below.//
 * Support or refute: The Sons of Liberty were justified in using the mob as a political tactic. Use evidence from the documents to support your opinion.**


 * To help you begin your thinking, complete the following Strengths/Weaknesses chart on the role of mob violence. You should also include a MINIMUM of five high quality CCQ's**

([|PDF])

Editorial Rubric
([|PDF])

Reflection Activity:

If you were to write an editorial for the London Times as opposed to the Boston Gazette, how do you think the tone of your editorial would be different? Why do you think that? Be sure to support your answers using strong supporting details and thorough analysis.