Before the colonies declared independence, many colonists were already taking action to resist 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.
One form of activism was 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, many believed that stronger actions were needed to make Britain take their complaints more seriously.As a result, colonists across the thirteen colonies began to boycott British goods, with major ports like Boston, New York, and Philadelphia leading the way in organizing non-importation agreements. These agreements meant merchants and consumers promised not to buy or sell British products as a form of protest. By not buying British goods, they wanted to hurt British businesses and force Parliament to change its laws. Groups like the Sons of Liberty led public protests, encouraging merchants and citizens to support boycotts.
Public protest and communication also played a big role. People wrote poems, gave speeches, and held public gatherings to spread their message. In Virginia, Patrick Henry gave powerful speeches that inspired colonists to demand their rights and challenge British policies. Across the colonies, leaders and citizens alike began calling for more organized action.
For the first time, representatives from nine colonies met at the Stamp Act Congress in New York. They created a declaration of rights, insisting that only their elected assemblies had the power to tax them. A few years later, the Massachusetts Assembly sent the Circular Letter to other colonies, urging unity against the Townshend Acts. Colonists like Samuel Adams organized Committees of Correspondence to share ideas and plan resistance more effectively.
Women were also essential to resistance efforts. Across the colonies, women took on the daily work of replacing imported items, helping their communities stay committed to the boycotts. One women’s organization, The Daughters of Liberty, made homespun cloth and created alternatives to British goods. 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.
Each form of activism had different impacts. Boycotts hurt British profits and helped unite the colonies. Petitions showed peacefulness, while public protests brought attention to colonial anger and helped spread ideas. Through these actions, colonists learned how to organize and work together. This growing sense of shared purpose set the stage for the fight for independence.