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Proclamation of 1763
The King after the French and Indian War, placed restrictions on the movement of colonies to the west. Placing boundaries on the colonies so that they may not move past the Appalachian Mountains. This was established to prevent the colonist from creating tension between them and the French along with the Natives there. The colonist were unhappy with this, they were now being restricted when they were used to so much freedom, and those already settled had to move into the allowed area. -
Sugar Act
The Sugar Act was an attempt by the government to reduce the amount of smuggling of goods like sugar and molasses. In order to do this, they'd reduce the tax rate, while the collection of duties were enforced. The colonist aggressively showed their anger toward this act, and it was soon repealed due to the oppression of the government by the colonist. They were clearly unhappy. -
Currency Act
This act was imposed onto the colonist to regulate the paper money within them. This was applied to protect merchants during the time. The act prevented the colonist from using paper money, and they would have to obtain a government issued stamp. This led to the shortage of currency within the colonies as this act made it difficult to pay off debt. Therefore, the colonist were not happy. -
The Quartering Act
The Quartering Act was a series of acts that forced the governments of colonies to provide soldiers with food and housing. This violated the rights of the colonist and often caused problems for those who did not have the food or housing needed. Colonist were effectively forced to sacrifice what they had. The colonist argued that this act was actually illegal as it contradicted the bill of rights, that states that people will not be forced to provide housing for soldiers especially in peace. -
Stamp Act
The Stamp Act, passed in 1765, was an act that regulated stamp duty, which was simply tax on the legal regulation of documents whether those documents are notes, letters, or even newspapers. The colonist in reaction to these newly forced taxes had begun to boycott goods and even riots. -
Declaratory Act
The Declaratory Act was justification for the execution and repeal of several acts applied to the colonist over time. It act was applied in reaction to the failure of the Stamp Act, as they still wished to use their right to tax the colonist. This also allowed the addition of any laws as seen necessary. While the colonist were happy with the repeal of the Stamp Act, this act would just lead to more acts, that would more than likely negatively effect the colonist, they were fearful. -
Townshend Acts
The Townshend Act was actually a series of acts that imposed taxes on many things. Glass, for example, was one of those items. These acts also restricted some of the rights of the colonist. This of course did not sit well with them. The colonist were angry with this as their rights were restricted and more taxes were imposed. They'd had a victory, then a consistent set of losses and little changed. Soon resistance would break out. -
Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre was the killing of five patriot citizens and the wounding of several others after they reportedly harassed British soldiers by throwing snowballs and stones among other things toward them. Colonist reacted by having a meeting held in the town hall to have the British removed and to have the soldiers in question tried for murder. Two of the soldiers involved were convicted of manslaughter. -
Boston Port Act
The Boston Port Act was Great Britain's response to the Boston Tea Party, a protest that involved the destruction of 342 crates of tea owned by the British East India Company. The act stated that the Boston Harbor would be closed to trade and all goods that weren't firewood and food. This would take place until all of the destroyed tea was paid for. Town meetings were banned as well. -
Massachusetts Government Act
The Massachusetts Government Act was an act passed by Parliament that gave Britain excessive royal control over the Massachusetts Bay colony. This was done as Great Britain believed that this colony was the center of all resistance. -
Quebec Act
The Quebec Act was the preservation of the French Civil code and the introduction of a French government in Quebec. This was done by the British to more effectively govern the area, thus keeping the colonist away as intended. This did not sit well with the colonist and only made them resent the British government even more than before.