Sons of Liberty: An Interactive Activity

It is 1765. You are a merchant, an importer with a small business in Manhattan.

You sit in a coffee house with your business partner, Douglas Shea, on a warm August evening. Shea is furious.

"Blast that King George!" Shea screams, pounding the table. His face is red with anger. "Does he think we are made of money?"

	You stare into your coffee. You're angry, too, but you're also worried. You and Shea ship molasses from the West Indies. The British have begun to tax the molasses. Your business is in jeopardy. Oh, how you and your friends hate British taxes! You don't mind paying your fair share, but this is ridiculous. Soon, you'll need to put tax stamps on every bill you pay. Even a deck of playing cards will need British tax stamps! "They will squeeze us to death with these taxes," you groan. Every day you hear more talk about rebellion. "We ought to just shoulder some muskets and throw the British out," Shea says. "I will not risk my livelihood," you say. "A bloody rebellion would harm us, not help." "It's not right!" Shea yells. "It's not right that England should rule us. They are too far away. They know nothing of our problems!"

KING OF SPADES
CIRCA 1790 PLAYING CARD

Sidetrack: A brief history of playing cards

A group of merchants has gathered around you, listening to Shea as his voice continues to rise. "The British just know how to tax us!" he screams. "Taxes, taxes, and still more taxes!" "Hear, hear!" yells the small group of merchants. "Away with the British!" "If they don't go willingly," says the neighborhood blacksmith, "we ought to toss them out to sea!" "Listen," Shea says to the group. "There's a group of brave youth called the Sons of Liberty. They will teach those British a lesson they won't soon forget. "They need fighters," he continues. "They need people to pass out propaganda leaflets and brochures, and spread the word of independence." "But that's rebellion," you say. "That is treason toward the King! Need I remind you that we are British subjects in his service?" "Service?" Shea scoffs. "His rule is tyranny! Let's join the Sons of Liberty, and burn our tax stamps in the middle of Wall Street!"
	SONS OF LIBERTY TAR AND FEATHER A BRITISH LOYALIST
	Sidetrack: Irish drug dealer tarred and feathered... in 2007!