History That Doesn't Suck 2: Patrick Henry and Boston Get Pissed about Taxes
8 snips
Sep 30, 2017 Meet Patrick Henry, a dangerous combination of youth, idealism, and persuasion. The podcast explores his charismatic leadership in the Virginia House of Burgesses, his role as a skilled defense attorney, the details of the proposed Stamp Act, the debate on taxation and representation, the escalating violence in Boston, and the tensions that arise as attempts to tax the Americans fail.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Taxation Precedent
- Parliament had never directly taxed the colonies before the Sugar Act.
- This raises questions about Parliament's power to tax British subjects not represented in Parliament.
Constitutional Questions
- The Sugar and Stamp Acts raise two constitutional questions surrounding taxation.
- These revolve around external vs. internal taxation and the concept of virtual representation.
Virtual Representation
- Colonists largely reject the idea of virtual representation, especially James Otis.
- Actual representation in colonial legislatures was more common than in Britain itself.