HIST 231 Lecture Notes - Lecture 9: Vice Admiral, Virtual Representation, Intolerable Acts
Document Summary
Taxation was not the cause of the revolt against the intolerable acts. The problem was the virtual representation. the colonists wanted equal and personal representation in. It placed a heavier tax on foreign sugars from the dutch and the french, enemies of england. England established vice-admiral courts in order to prosecute offenders. The courts were originally run by colonists making it hard to prosecute. The writs of assistance was established which served as a general search warrant. James otis was the first to challenge england. He was thought to be insane by other colonists. He thought the writs of assistance was a violation of peoples rights. England sent troops to enforce laws in the colonies. Colonists had to house and feed the troops. This was seen as a tool of oppression by the crown. The stamp act was a way to raise revenue for the colony defense, or the troops.
