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Proclamation of 1763
The Proclamation of 1763 was what had created an off-limits area for colonists which was all lands west of the Appalachian Mountains. At first, the colonists paid no mind to it since it began as temporary, but as the colonists realized they needed farmland then they began to resent the proclamation. -
Sugar Act
This was the first act passed by the British Parliament. The purpose was to get more money for the soldiers since they were protecting colonies. The act was also to get rid of smuggling. The colonists did not like this since it was raising money on imported goods. This is what began no taxation without representation since the colonists had no representation in Parliament. -
Quartering Act of 1763-1770
The Quartering Act that was passed in 1765 is where the colonists were forced to open their homes to British soldiers. If the colonists did not have the room then they would have to make room. The colonists did not like this act because since the war was over there was no reason for the soldiers to be housed. The colonists also saw no need for it since the soldiers took advantage of this law and would ruin people's homes and the owners would have to clean. -
Stamp Act
The Stamp Act was enforced to put a tax on all paper products. This act was enforced because, after the war, the British were low on money. The colonists saw the act as unjust. They thought only their government should have the power to pass laws. They resorted to mobs protesting against the act. -
Declaratory Act
This act was passed to get rid of the Stamp Act. The purpose was to state how Parliament had the ultimate power of making laws and getting rid of them. The colonists did not question this act until later on with the revolution. -
Townshend Acts
These acts taxed goods that were imported into the British colonies. The colonists thought these acts were tyrannic or abusing power. Once the British sent troops enforcing these laws, this intensified the tension between the British and Americans. -
Tea Act
The Tea Act was enforced to reduce the amount of tea being imported so they put a tax on all imported tea. The colonists did not like this since this meant they would have to buy tea through the British. This led to the Boston Tea Party which was a protest where the colonists dumped all the tea into the harbor. -
Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party was a protest against being taxed without having an opinion on it, otherwise known as no taxation without representation. The colonists dumped around 350 chests of tea into the harbor that was imported by the British. This event led to even more strict laws for the colonists. -
Coercive Acts
The Coercive Acts was a response to the Boston Tea Party. They passed this act to punish Massachusetts as a warning to other colonies. These acts consisted of the Boston Port Act, the Massachusets Government Act, the Administration of Government Act, and the Quartering Act. The colonists saw these acts as unconstitutional, unjust, and viewed it as a threat to them. -
Quebec Act
The Quebec Act created a permanent government in Canada that gave religious freedom and went back to a more orderly law. The colonists were upset with this law because they saw it as a threat to their government. They had thought this act was giving Parliament more power over them.