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Proclamation of 1763
The Proclamation of 1763 discouraged the settlers from settling west of the Appalachian mountains, in fear of hostile Native Americans and losing control of unruly settlers. The Proclamation regulated and protected Native American trade and land between the colonies. At this point, only the Crown held the authority to purchase land from tribes and Native American communities. Any colonists inhabiting Native American land illegally were asked to relocate. -
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Colonist Reactions to the Proclamation of 1763
Initially, colonists believed that the Proclamation of 1763 was just a temporary conciliation for the Native Americans, but as time passed, the colonists became enraged and hostile. The settlers were evicted from the land they fought for during the French and Indian War and directed to move east of the Appalachian mountains in order to give back the Native American's land, but the majority of the colonists, still, believed that they, the Native Americans, had no right to own land. -
The Sugar Act of 1764
The Sugar Act, or The American Revenue Act, was designed to interfere with French molasses imports. Previously, foreign molasses was taxed sixpence a gallon, but the Sugar Act lowered the levy to threepence a gallon. While in hopes to reduce the presence of French molasses smuggled into America, the Navy was strengthened and became involved with customs and tax. Sugar, some wines, coffee, pimiento, cambric calico, printed calico, lumber, and iron were taxed as well. -
Parliament Passes the Quartering Act
The Quartering Act obliged American colonists to provide shelter and housing for Royal troops in barracks within the colonies. If there were too little room in the barracks, colonists were required to allow troops to board in local inns, livery stables, alehouses, taverns, and houses of sellers of wine. The colonists, however, did not feel content with being commanded to board soldiers, rather they wanted to be asked for consent for boarding. Unrest eventually led to the Boston Massacre of 1770. -
The Stamp Act of 1765
The Stamp Act places taxes on any paper to be printed or written on, from licenses to legal documents to playing cards, to name a few. The fees collected were to go towards the defense and protection of the Appalachian frontier. The colonists took offense to the British attempts to raise money without confronting the colonial legislatures, and the belief spread that without the resistance of the Stamp Act, it would open the door to harsher British taxes upon the colonists. -
Patrick Henry's Resolutions Against the Stamp Act
Patrick Henry, most notably known for his declaration of "Give me liberty, or give me death!" during the Second Virginia Convention of 1775, acted as a radical influence during the resistance of the Stamp Act. He introduced five resolutions to the House of Burgesses in Virginia, and at first, the fifth resolution had been adopted but then, taken down at the pressure of the governor and council. Henry's resolutions were spread in publication and contributed to the fire of the Revolution. -
Declaratory Act
The Declaratory Act was established just as the Stamp Act was repealed. This act stated that Britain had the taxing right in America as in England, inserting the Crown's complete authority in binding English laws to America. The colonists thought of the Declaratory Act as a threat to their civic bodies and freedom. -
Townshend Acts Passed By British Government
The Townshend Acts were a series of laws introduced by Charles Townshend. The laws were enacted to require the colonists to pay for themselves, to pay the salaries of their judges and governors. The laws, also, brought new tariffs on imported paper, paint, lead, glass, and tea. The American Customs Board was established to collect taxes, and new courts were created to prosecute smugglers without using a local jury. -
The Coercive Intolerable Acts
The Coercive, or Intolerable, Acts were laws of punishment against the colonists in response to the Boston Tea Party of 1773 and, in general, colonial defiance. These acts included the Boston Port Bill, the closing of the Boston Harbor until the costs of the tea were paid in full, the Massachusetts Government Bill, the annulation of the colony charter and reducing them to a crown colony, and two other substantial acts. These acts later became the justification for the First Continental Congress. -
Battle of Lexington and Concord
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Common Sense by Thomas Paine
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Independence From Britain