James Otis's Taxation Without Representation Is Voluntary

As James Otis said in 1761, “Taxation without representation is tyranny.” This phrase reflects upon the resentment of American colonists towards the British Parliament being taxed while having no representatives. Here, Otis perfectly summarizes the primary grievance of Americans in the thirteen colonies. This statement became an anti-British slogan originating during the 1750s leading up to the American Revolution in 1775. The Sugar Act, passed in 1764, placed a high tariff on refined sugar, causing some resentment. Unparalleled to the excessive Stamp Act tax, the Sugar Act tax was hidden in the cost of import duties, making it easier to be mostly accepted by the colonists. However, the Stamp Act was vastly different in comparison, as

As people throughout the thirteen colonies started to focus their energy and efforts towards eliminating the Stamp Act, they came together to demonstrate their similar anger and distaste with Parliament. When these large groups got together, a physical, sometimes violent response was enacted. This statement reflects upon the buildup to the strong opposition, “There is a violent spirit of opposition raised on the Continent against the execution of the Stamp Act, the mob in Boston have carried it very high against Mr. Oliver the Secry (a town born child) for his acceptance of an office in consequence of that act. They have even proceeded to some violence, and burnt him in effigy &c.” This quote brilliantly considers the targeted and divisive spirit of opposition against the Stamp Act, which grew to be very largely targeted against the British government. As the once preliminary, non-violent gatherings became very common, they grew increasingly more violent. Anger transformed from once innocent to severe as, for example, colonists refused to use the stamps, then burned them, ultimately holding protests directly outside of tax distributors offices. These numerous protests throughout the colonies fueled the spirit of the patriots to win the war. Arguably, the peak of widespread tension,

The colonists formed many groups, in spite of the government, to act against the Stamp Act such as the Sons and Daughters of Liberty, which was mostly made up of lawyers, merchants, and artisans. The individuals that formed these groups did so to counteract the injustice done to them by both the local and British government, as well as unite their efforts for the greater cause of repealing the Stamp Act. Because the tariffs imposed by the Stamp Act affected the members of the Sons and daughters of liberty the most, once they got together and united their common anger and distrust, it motivated the group to act in violence. For example “Originally formed in response to the Stamp Act, their activities were far more than ceremonial. It was the Sons of Liberty who ransacked houses of British officials. Threats and intimidation were their weapons against tax collectors, causing many to flee town. Images of unpopular figures might be hanged and burned in effigy on the town's LIBERTY TREE. Offenders might be covered in warm tar and blanketed in a coat of feathers.” The statement reflects upon the origin of the Sons of Liberty, which goal was to preliminarily repeal the Stamp Act, but shows its transformation into a more prolonged and serious cause. The importance of the Sons of liberty is also highlighted as without