Unit 4 ( 2)

​British Reaction to the Boston Tea Party

• King George III and Parliament outraged by the Boston Tea Party

• Viewed it as a criminal action against the East India Company

• Parliament enacted the Coercive Acts to punish Boston and Massachusetts

• Aimed to make an example of colonies participating in illegal behavior

Multiple Choice

What event sparked the British government's harsh response to the American colonies?

• Boston Tea Party
• Intolerable Acts
• Boston Massacre
• First Continental Congress

The Intolerable Acts

Coercive Acts, known as Intolerable Acts in the colonies, included

1. Closing Boston's port until tea was paid for

2. Limiting Massachusetts's government

3. Trying British officials accused of crimes in Great Britain

4. Forcing colonists to quarter British soldiers

Open Ended

How did the Intolerable Acts affect the rights of colonists in Massachusetts?

​Georgia's Response

• Georgians upset by the Intolerable Acts, despite not being directly targeted

• August 1774: Representatives from Georgia's parishes met in Savannah

• Agreed on resolutions opposing British actions

• Believed Parliament was taking away their rights as British citizens

• Supported the idea that only the colonial Commons House should tax them

Multiple Choice

Why did Georgians oppose the Intolerable Acts even though they weren't directly affected?

• Georgians opposed the Intolerable Acts to support colonial unity and protect their rights.
• They thought the acts would strengthen British rule.
• They were indifferent to the struggles of other colonies.
• They believed the Intolerable Acts would improve trade.

• Voted to send delegates to the Second Continental Congress

• Elected Archibald Bulloch, Noble Wimberly Jones, and John Houstoun

​Provincial Congress in Savannah (January 1775)

• Georgia did not send delegates

• Called for colonies to boycott British goods (nonimportation agreement)

First Continental Congress (September 1774):

Continental Congresses and Georgia's Involvement

Multiple Choice

Why was Georgia initially hesitant to join the Continental Congress?

• Georgia was concerned about losing autonomy and had a significant loyalist presence.
• Georgia was fully supportive of independence.
• Georgia had no loyalist presence at the time.
• Georgia wanted to join for economic benefits.

• News of the Battles of Lexington and Concord (April 1775)

• Georgia Sons of Liberty's bold actions:

  • Raided the royal magazine, stealing gunpowder

  • Disabled cannons on the Savannah River

  • Set up local committees and a Council of Safety

• Governor Wright's attempts to maintain control

• St. John's Parish's more radical stance:

  • Elected Dr. Lyman Hall to represent them at the Second Continental Congress

Growing Tensions and Revolutionary Actions

Open Ended

How did the actions of the Georgia Sons of Liberty show their increasing disagreement with British rule?