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Proclamation of 1763
The Proclamation of 1763 was an act that took place on October 7th, 1763. This act prearranged all of the territories in the west, between the Allegheny Mountains, the Mississippi River, Florida, and Quebec. The American colonists were upset because they thought the act violated their rights. The colonists decided to disregard the act and still went to western territories. -
Sugar Act
The Sugar Act was passed on April 5th, 1764, prohibiting foreign rum from being imported. They also taxed other items like molasses, wine, coffee, and a bunch of "luxury" items. This time, the colonies and the merchants were affected. The merchants and the colonies protested, saying "No Taxation Without Representation". -
Currency Act
The Currency Act occurred on September 1st, 1763. This act was created to stop the passing of "paper bills". In response to this bill, the colonies began to protest, like always, in order to repeal this act. -
Stamp Act
The Stamp Act occurred on March 22, 1765. This Act placed a high tax on a lot of goods the colonists used. Things like newspapers, pamphlets, licenses, leases, and a lot of other official documents. This act caused the most organized rebellion throughout the colonies. They even formed a "Stamp Act Congress". -
Quartering Act of 1765
This was the first of the two Quartering Acts, this act took place on May 15th, 1765, and this act forced local authorities to provide the British soldiers with a place to stay, even if it was at a private residence. The American colonists weren't okay with this act, mainly because they had to house British soldiers. -
Declaratory Act
The Declaratory Act took place on the 18th of March in 1766. this act only further asserted the British authority over the colonists. Parliament made laws "binding" the colonies, and because of this, the American colonies felt as though Great Britain was abusing their power and acting tyrannically. -
Townshend Act
The Townshend Act, which took place on June 29th, 1767, was an act that was passed to tax glass, paper, paint, lead, tea, and all things that were imported from Britain. It also established stronger British governance through the colonies and did not allow any gatherings until the colonies accepted the terms. Because of this, the American colonies refused to buy any of the glass, paper, paint, lead, tea, and all the other imported goods. -
Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party was a political protest that took place at Griffin's Wharf in Boston, on December 16, 1773. During this protest, the American colonists dumped 342 chests of tea into the harbor. This event was the first big event towards the colonies' independence from Great Britain. -
Boston Massacre
The Boston massacre was a street “fight” that resulted in five deaths, and six injuries. This happened because a patriot mob was throwing snowballs, stones, and sticks at a group of British soldiers. The soldiers ended up firing at the group of people and killed 5 American colonists. -
Intolerable Acts
The Intolerable Acts were multiple acts that were passed on, May 20th, 1774, after the Boston Tea Party as a punishment for the colonies. A big reason the colonies were so upset about the intolerable was that it banned all trading in the colonies. The main goal of this was to isolate the colonies, and all of Boston, but instead of “bending” to the act, the colonies chose to show unity and stick together. -
Quartering Act 1774
The Quartering Act was an act that was passed on June 17th, 1774 and it allowed British soldiers to be housed in private residents of the American colonies. The colonies were upset about this act and tried to question the legality of it, saying that it violated the Bill of Rights. -
Quebec Act
The Quebec Act was passed on June 22nd, 1774 and it established French laws and language. It also permitted Roman Catholics to hold public office and practice their religion. This made the American colonies upset because they had no say in the land that was given away in Quebec.