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The Sugar Act
The Sugar Act put high duties on sugar and molasses, in order to end the smuggling of such goods from France. There was much protestation, and this is where the 'no taxation without proper representation' began. Two years later, the duty on molasses was lowered to quiet the protests. -
The Currency Act
The Currency Act did not allow colonists to use their own currency, and instead they were forced to use the same as the British. Like the Sugar Act, this brought about much protestation. As far as I can tell, the people of Britain were split on what to do in response to the protests but nothing ever actually happened. -
The Stamp Act
The Stamp Act forced colonists to put stamps on every piece of printed paper in the colonies (from newspapers to playing cards). Every stamp costed money - more, depending on the importance of the paper. Any papers without stamps would be fined, any fake stamps earned a death sentence. Protests began to turn violent, and the Sons of Liberty secret group was formed to fight the act. In response, Britain posted troops in Boston as a reminder of who was in charge. -
The Townshend Acts
The Townshend taxed goods imported to the colonies (under the mistaken assumption that it would anger the colonists less than previous acts). Colonists immediately began to boycott any British goods. More military was sent to Boston in response, which eventually led to the Boston massacre. -
The Tea Act
(I don't think this one was brought up in class but I figured I'd still mention it)
The Tea Act eased taxes on the (British) East India Company, essentially giving it a monopoly of tea sales in the colonies. This led to the Boston Tea Party as colonists rejected ANY taxation on teas. The British responded with the Coercive Acts of 1774.