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Proclomation of 1763
The proclomation of 1763 stopped English settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains. It was done to prevent future fights with the natives because England didn't want to spend more money fighting wars in North America. The colonists were outraged by the proclomation, and largely ignored it and settled beyond the boundry set. -
The Sugar Act
When parliament was desiring money from the Northern American colonies, they passed a law specifically aimed at raising colonial money for the Crown. The act increased duties on non British items shipped to the colonies. -
The Stamp Act
Parliament's first direct tax on the American colonies, this act, like those passed in 1764, was made to raise money for the British. It taxed newspapers, almanacs, pamphlets, documents, dice, and playing cards. Issued by Britain, the stamps were made for documents or packages to show that the tax had been paid. -
The Boston Massacre
The arrival of troops in Boston provoked conflict between citizens and soldiers. On March 5th, a group of soldiers surrounded by an unfriendly crowd opened fire, killing 3 Americans and fataly injuring 2 more. A violent uprising was avoided only with the withdrawal of the troops to islands in the harbor. The soldiers were put on trial for murder, but convicted only of less important crimes; noted patriot John adams was their principal lawyer. -
The Boston Tea Party
When British tea ships arrived in Boston harbor, lots of citizens wanted the tea sent back to England without paying any of the taxes. The royal governor insisted on payment of all taxes. On December 16th, a group of men disguised as Indians got on the ships and dumped all of the tea in the harbor. -
The Intolerable Acts
In response to the Boston Tea Party, Parliament passed several acts to punish Massachusetts. The Boston Port Bill banned any loading/unloading ships in Boston harbor. The Administration of Justice Act ofered protection to royal officials in Massachusetts, allowing them to transfer to England all court cases against them involving riot suppresion or revenue colection. The Massachusetts Goverment Act put the election under the control of the Crown, eliminating the Massachusetts part of goverment.