Stamp Act Rebellion
23 August 2014 -- 235/365
Newport, Rhode Island
The Stamp Act of 1765 was the first Act of Parliament that directly taxed the American Colonies with the proceeds of the tax going to England instead of the local legislatures. Suffice it to say that this was not well received in the Colonies. Protests and acts of civil disobedience started in Boston, and on August 26, 1765 the anti-tax fervor reached a crescendo in Newport, Rhode Island. In the early morning of August 26th, colonists erected a Gallows in Queen's Square, directly in front of the Colony House - the Seat of colonial power in Rhode Island. Effigies representing Stamp Officer Augustus Johnston, Attorney Martin Howard, Jr., and Doctor Thomas Moffat were hung. The three had staunchly defended the Stamp Act, and as the anti-Tori sentiment grew, they each went into hiding. As their houses were ransacked later that day, it's lucky for them that the colonists did not find them. The effigies were guarded throughout the day by prominent colonists, including William Ellery who would go on to sign the Declaration of Independence a decade later, and after sunset they were cut down and burned. Johnston, Howard, and Moffat fled the colonies in fear for their lives. Parliament would repeal the Stamp Act in March, 1766, but the damage was done. The Colonies and England were now marching double-time down the path leading to the American Revolution.
Today, reenactors in Queen Anne's Square, still in front of the original Colony House, once again hung the Stamp Act supporters in effigy. After the hanging, they retired to the White Horse Tavern, just as the original colonists did, for rum and cheese. Tonight, they plan to again ransack the homes of Moffat, Howard, and Johnston. (The original homes are still standing and are still occupied in Newport.)
Post processing started with a neutral filter in Topaz B&W FX. I adjusted color sensitivity sliders, adaptive exposure, regions, contrast, boost black, boost white, and protect highlights. A levels adjustment was added in PSE.
Here's the high res version in Smugmug:
http://kannafoot.smugmug.com/Photo-Challenges/PAD2014/i-3q2bJZJ/0/XL/2014%2008%2023_0149%20copy-XL.jpg
