-
Royal Proclamation of 1763
The Royal Proclamation of 1763 was a decree by the British government after the French and Indian War, reserving western lands between the Appalachian Mountains and the Mississippi River for Native American use and restricting colonial settlement beyond the Appalachians. Colonists reacted with resentment, perceiving the proclamation as an infringement on their right to settle and expand, especially since many had fought in the war and hoped to benefit from the acquired lands. -
Sugar Act
The Sugar Act of 1764 replaced the earlier Molasses Act of 1733, introducing new regulations on colonial trade. This act aimed to generate revenue and discourage smuggling by prohibiting foreign rum imports and imposing moderate duties on molasses from all sources, along with taxes on luxury goods like wines and silks. However, the Sugar Act met with strong resistance from the colonists, particularly in New England. -
Currency Act
The Currency Act was a regulation that mandated that the only money used to pay for goods must be in pound sterling; colonial bills would be abolished. British colonies were outraged at this act, which caused further unrest between Britain and its colonies. -
Stamp Act
The Stamp Act of 1765 was a significant tax imposed by the British government on various legal documents, including newspapers, licenses, and leases, requiring them to bear revenue stamps. The purpose of this tax was to generate revenue to help fund the defense and protection of the American colonies. However, this act was met with violent resistance from the colonies including the destruction of the stamps or the removal of people in high positions. -
Quartering Act of 1765
The Quartering Act of 1765 was an amendment that required colonial authorities to provide shelter, food, or transportation to any stationed British soldier. This act was met with heavy defiance, especially by New York; which at the time had the most station soldiers of any colony. -
Declaratory Act
The Declaratory Act was made after the repeal of the Stamp Act and was made to certify that the British taxing authorities had the same power in both America and Britain. The colonists did not like this because it fundamentally look over the ability of the colonies to function as their own self-sustained system. -
Townshend Acts
The Townshend Acts, enacted by the British Parliament in 1767, were a series of measures aimed at asserting British authority over the American colonies and generating revenue to support British officials in the colonies. These acts taxed things such as glass, lead, paint, paper, and tea. Like the Stamp Act people reacted violently but not as badly. -
Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre of 1770 was a clash between British soldiers and American colonists, leading to the deaths of five colonists. This event amplified colonial anger against British rule due to perceived oppression and injustice. Colonists, guided by inflammatory imagery and accounts, rallied against British authority. The massacre's aftermath heightened tensions and inspired organized resistance, like boycotts of British goods. One major act this event led to was the Boston Tea Party. -
Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party, in 1773, was a pivotal protest by American colonists against British taxation. Disguised as Native Americans, colonists boarded British ships and dumped tea cargo into Boston Harbor. This defiant act aimed to oppose the Tea Act and assert colonists' right to representation. It further strained relations with Britain, prompting harsh reprisals and fueling the drive toward American independence. -
Coercive Acts
The Coercive Acts were a series of 4 laws passed by the British Parliament as punishment for the Boston Tea Party. These acts include the Boston Port Act which allowed military blockades, the Massachusetts Government Act which gave the king authority over the council, the Administration of Justice Act which gave the governor more power, and the 2nd Quartering Act. These acts like many that were given to the colonists were met with outrage and caused Massachusetts Bay to essentially be shut down. -
Quartering Act of 1774
This quartering act was the final of the major Coercive Acts and was the only one to be instated in every colony. This law allowed high-ranking British military officials to demand better accommodations and more convenient living spaces. Colonists were provoked further by this law because it infringed on the cities' rights to keep the soldiers away. -
Quebec Act
The Quebec Act enlarged the boundaries of Quebec while also establishing the Roman Catholic Church. This act was one of the final major tipping points in the colonies' revolt in two major ways. The inaugurated Roman Catholic Church conflicted with the many protestants in the colonies; new expansion to the north disregarded any right the colonies may have had to land in the now-expanded area, preventing them from expanding.