-
Proclamation of 1763
King George III declared all lands west of the Appalachian Divide not available to colonial settlers in reaction to Pontiac's Rebellion. The British issued the Proclamation of 1763 at the end of the French and Indian War to soothe Native Americans by limiting the encroachment of European settlers on their lands. The colonists were outraged when they heard the news, because they felt like they have earned that land from fighting the French and Indian War. -
The Sugar Act
The Sugar Act reduced the duty on foreign molasses from 6 to 3 pence per gallon while maintaining a high duty on foreign refined sugar and prohibiting the importation of all foreign rum. It didn't allow direct shipment to Europe. It also taxed a variety of foreign products. -
The Stamp Act
Under King George III, the British parliament formally adopted the Stamp Act of 1765. It taxed all real documents and papers within the American colonies, but not in England. It was supposed to help pay for the british troops in the colonies during the Seven Years war. -
The Townshed Acts
The Townshend Acts were a set of legislation enacted by the British Parliament in 1767 that taxed goods imported into the American colonies. The colonists, however, thought the acts were an abuse of power. The british sent soldiers to America to enfore the new rules, creating more tension between Great Britian and the colonists. -
The Boston Massacre
Protestors were rebelling against the new laws and the british troops that were sent to America. It began to escalate when the protestors started throwing stones, snowballs, and sticks. The troops ended up setting fire to the rioters, killing five and wounding eight. -
Boston Tea Party
American Colonists were angry that they were being "taxed without being represented". In response to the taxes, the colonists dumped about 342 chests of tea into the harbor. It proved to Great Britain that Americans would not accept taxation and tyranny and reinforced patriots across the 13 colonies to fight for independence. -
Boston Port Act
The British parliament passed the Boston Port Act. This act required for the Boston harbor to be closed, and the citizens were demanded to pay nearly a million dollars worth of tea that was dumped into the harbor. Many merchants purely wanted to pay for the tea and close down the Boston Committee of Correspondence, which had been founded to arrange anti-British protests. -
Impartial Administration of Justice Act
The Administration of Justice Act suspended the right of the Massachusetts colony to self-government by enabling the recently appointed Military Governor to send disobedient colonists to be tried in other colonies or in Great Britain before a judge. British officials alleged of offenses in the colonies could be tried in the United Kingdom. The colonists saw this as a way to protect troops like the ones who murdered colonists during the Boston Massacre, provoking some to call it the "Murder Act". -
Massachusets Government Act
The Massachusetts Government Act, which reorganized the Massachusetts government to provide the royally appointed more power. An act to improve the administration of the region of Massachusetts Bay in New England. The Massachusetts Government Act harmed colonists in Massachusetts by removing their democratic rights to elect local officials and hold Town Meetings. By removing the power to vote officials, the colonists were left with no political means to effect change. -
Quartering Act
The Quartering Act of 1774 authorized the housing of British troops in private properties and facilities. According to the Quartering Act, Britain would house its troops in American barracks and public places to stay. If the number of soldiers exceeded the capacity of colonial housing, they would be housed in inns, alehouses, barns, and other structures. -
Quebec Act
The Quebec Act made it possible for French Catholics to gain better government jobs. It also allowed the French to practice their legal system. It also gave the Catholic Church more power. The Church was able to collect tithes again, thanks to the Quebec Act. However, Many colonists in America saw the act as a form of coercion. Thus, the act was a significant cause of the American Revolution, and it aided in the invasion of Quebec by armies from the revolting colonies in the winter of 1775-76