Before the colonies declared independence, many colonists were already taking action to protest British rule. They were frustrated with new taxes, trade restrictions, and decisions made by the British government without input from the colonies. In response, they used different forms of activism—organized efforts to speak out and create change.
One common method was the boycott. This meant refusing to buy British goods. When the British government passed the Stamp Act in 1765, colonists protested by boycotting items like paper, stamps, and other products. These boycotts were led by groups like the Sons of Liberty, who encouraged colonists to stop buying from British merchants. The economic pressure worked—Parliament eventually repealed the Stamp Act. Boycotts were effective because they hurt British businesses and showed unity among the colonies.
Women also played a major role in these efforts. The Daughters of Liberty helped support the boycotts by making cloth, tea, and other goods at home so colonists wouldn’t need to buy them from Britain. In 1774, Penelope Barker led 51 women in signing a petition to protest British tea taxes in what became known as the Edenton Tea Party. This was one of the first political actions led by women in the colonies. While it did not change the law directly, it showed that women could organize and take a public stand.
Another form of activism was the use of petitions. Colonists wrote formal letters to the king and Parliament asking for changes to the laws. These were peaceful ways of speaking out. Some petitions came from individuals, and others came from entire colonies. While petitions showed that colonists were willing to use legal means, they were often ignored by British leaders, which led many colonists to believe that stronger actions were needed.
Public protest and communication also played a big role. People wrote poems, gave speeches, and organized protests to spread their message. The Committees of Correspondence helped coordinate communication between colonies, making it easier for them to share ideas and work together. Some protests were peaceful, but others were more aggressive. In the Boston Tea Party, colonists dressed as Indigenous people and dumped tea into Boston Harbor. Actions like this sent a strong message, but they also increased tension with Britain and led to harsh punishments, such as the Intolerable Acts.
Each form of activism had a different impact. Boycotts hurt British profits and helped unite the colonies. Petitions showed peaceful resistance but were usually ignored. Public protests brought attention to colonial anger and helped spread ideas, though some also led to more conflict. Together, these actions helped colonists build a sense of shared purpose—and set the stage for the fight for independence.