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The Sugar Act of 1764
British Prime Minister George Grenville introduced the Sugar Act of 1764 in an attempt to raise funds from the minimally taxed American colonists to provide for their defense and to use strict penalties to end the smuggling trade of sugar and molasses. American colonists responded to the Sugar Act with protests as well as the British Government who also took part in protesting against the act. -
The Quartering Act
The Quartering Act was passed primarily in response to greatly increased empire defense costs in America following the French and Indian War and Pontiac's War. The Quartering Act was especially reviled as it applied to rebellious Boston or Massachusetts and all American colonies. As well as, the British government initially tried to enforce these laws, leading to confrontations between British officials and American colonists. -
Stamp Act of 1765
On March 22, 1765, the British Parliament passed the “Stamp Act” to help pay for British troops stationed in the colonies during the Seven Years' War. Colonists responded to the act by forming a secret resistance group called the Sons of Liberty. They harassed customs workers and stamp agents and organized colonial assemblies to speak out against the act. The British Parliament instead imposed what is known as the Stamp Act -
The Townshend Act
The Townshend Act was passed to help pay the expenses involved in governing the American colonies, Parliament passed the Townshend Acts, which initiated taxes on glass, lead, paint, paper, and tea. Colonists organized boycotts of British goods to pressure Parliament to repeal the Townshend Acts. As British customs officials arrived to collect taxes and prosecute smugglers, colonial opposition intensified, resulting in street demonstrations and protests that sometimes turned violent. -
The Tea Act
The British Parliament passed the Tea Act in May 1773 to help the company. This gave the East India Company a tax break on their tea, which made it cheaper than tea that was being smuggled into the colonies from other places. American colonists condemned the act, and many planned to boycott tea. Boston Tea Party. When British tea ships arrived in Boston harbor, many citizens wanted the tea sent back to England without the payment of any taxes.