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Proclamation of 1763
Also known as the Treaty of Paris, the Proclamation of 1763 was the end of the French and Indian War. It was created to ensure peaceful relations with the Native Americans and to secure land that had not yet been settled by England. It also meant that the colonists could not settle in locations west of the Appalachian Mountains. This was to prevent trade that the British could not regulate. The colonists were angered by the Proclamation and decided to go to Ohio Valley anyway. -
Sugar Act
The Sugar Act followed the Sugar and Molasses Act. It decreased the amount the original tax on molasses, sixpence, to three pence per gallon. It also encompassed more items and the rum industry took a hit as a result of the act. The colonies decided to boycott specific items and protest against the act. -
Currency Act
This Act forbade the colonists from printing their own money. Parliament wanted the colonies to follow a hard currency system. This means they wanted them to regulate by a currency that would not depreciate or fluctuate tremendously in value. By 1764, the colonists were only allowed to pay off their debt to Britain in gold or silver. This resulted in the colonists protesting. -
Stamp Act
The Stamp Act was the first tax that affected every colonist. Every paper product had a tax on it. This act was passed so that England could come out of debt after the French and Indian War. The colonists did not approve of the Stamp Act and this led to riots and boycotts. -
Quartering Act
The Quartering Act stated that if barracks in the colonies were full, British soldiers could relocate to local inns and other locations in the colonies. The colonists did not like this because they were taxed to pay for the barracks. They also feared having a standing army in the colonies during a time of peace. There was a general concern that the army would be used on the colonists because they were in a time of peace. -
Declaratory Act
As a result of the Stamp Act being repealed, the Declaratory Act was passed. It said that the British government had the authority to tax the colonies in the same way that they taxed Great Britain. The colonists were not fond of this act because they thought this would lead to more acts passed by the British that would limit their self-government. -
Townshend Acts
The Townshend Acts imposed more taxes on the colonists. Some materials that were taxed include paper, paint, lead, glass, and tea. The colonists decided to boycott the materials once again even though Britain’s intent was to cause the colonists to be reliant on them. The chosen materials were difficult to manufacture in the colonies. -
Boston Massacre
The Townshend Acts led to tensions between the colonists and British soldiers. When a snowball fight spiraled out of control, three Boston citizens lost their lives. This event created more tensions between the colonists and British soldiers and is considered a key event that led to the American Revolution. -
Committee of Correspondence
The Committee of Correspondence was created by Samuel Adams to draw attention to the wrongdoings of Parliament. The Committee wanted to unite the colonies together and also make it easier for communication to be spread. -
Boston Tea Party
The angry colonists decided they had enough of no taxation without representation. Members of the Sons of Liberty dressed up as Native Americans and boarded ships. Then, they proceeded to dump 342 chests of tea into the water. This event led to the American Revolution. -
Tea Act
The Townshend Acts were repealed, but the Tea Act was created. No additionally taxes were imposed on the colonists, but the Tea Act gave the British East India Company Tea their own monopoly in the colonies. Merchants from the colonies lost their income. This ultimately led to the Boston Tea Party. -
The Intolerable Acts
As punishment for the Boston Tea Party, the Intolerable Acts were enacted. The Boston Port Bill shut down the port of Boston. The Quartering Act led to troops in the colonies looking for places to stay. The Quebec Act was seen as a threat to colonial expansion and created other issues like trials without a jury. The colonists were also prohibited from having town meetings without having prior approval from the governor. The colonists formed the First Continental Congress because of this. -
First Continental Congress
The First Continental Congress was formed by colonial representatives. They spoke about the current state of the colonies' relationship with Britain and decided to reestablish trade boycotts. The plan established was in response to the Intolerable Acts.
