townshend-duties
A series of customs duties imposed on American imports aimed at raising revenue, which exacerbated colonial resistance.
2 chapters across 1 book
The March of Folly (1984)Barbara W. Tuchman
The chapter chronicles the British government's handling of colonial taxation and governance following the repeal of the Stamp Act, highlighting Pitt's defense of colonial rights and parliamentary sovereignty alongside the passage of the Declaratory Act. It then details the political instability within Britain, focusing on Townshend's unilateral imposition of new customs duties that reignited colonial resistance, compounded by Pitt's withdrawal and the fragmented government's failure to manage the crisis effectively.
The chapter chronicles the political failures and escalating tensions surrounding the Townshend Duties, highlighting the British government's inability to heed warnings and the debilitating illness of Chatham, which removed a key moderating voice. It details the intensification of colonial resistance through writings like the Farmer's Letters and organized non-importation agreements, alongside the British punitive response and military enforcement under the Bedford faction and King George's direct interference. The narrative also explores the symbolic resonance of John Wilkes' struggle in England, illustrating the intertwined grievances over liberty and governance that deepened polarization between the colonies and Britain.