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Molasses Act of 1733
This was a British law that imposed a tax on molasses, sugar, and rum imported from non-British foreign colonies into the North American colonies. -
Treaty of Paris of 1763
The Treaty of Paris was passed in 1763. It ended the French and Indian War/Seven Years War. -
Sugar Act of 1764
This act cut the duty on foreign molasses from 6 to 3 pence per gallon, retained a high duty on foreign refined sugar, and prohibited the importation of all foreign rum. -
Currency Act of 1764
This act prohibited the printing and issuance of paper money by Colonial legislatures. It also threatened to destabilize the entire colonial economy. -
Stamp Act of 1765
This was the 1st direct tax on American colonies. It stated everything must bear a stamp. Some items include; wills, newspapers, bills, licences, almanacs, pamphlets, etc. Violators were tried and convicted by vice-admiralty courts. -
Quartering Act of 1765
This act stated Great Britain would house its soldiers in American homes. Along with providing housing, you were required to provide all of the basic needs of the soldiers, without compensation. This act took such a negative toll on the colonists, that the Fourth Amendment in the Bill of Rights prohibits this from ever happening again. -
Declaratory Act of 1766
Britain declares that they can create whatever acts or laws they want, and Americans must follow them. NO EXCEPTIONS! -
Boston Massacre
On a cold winter day, British sentries guarding the Boston Customs House shot into a crowd of civilians. 5 Bostonians and 2 boys died. John Adams represented soldiers and blamed the shooting on the mob, and the jury agreed. -
First Continential Congress
56 delegates from the colonies gathered. They were focusing on equality and free debate. The Declaration of Rights and Grievances were written to be sent to Britain. They decided if Britain failed to address these documents, they would reconvene on May 10, 1775. Great Britain deemed this meeting as an illegal assembly. -
Decleration of Independence
This announced the separation of 13 North American British colonies from Great Britain. It was the last of a series of steps that led the colonies to final separation from Great Britain.