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Navigation Acts
These were a series of Acts passed from the span of 1660-1696. The first restricted the goods imported into England. The second stated that all goods had to have contact with English territory before being sold. The third implemented taxes on items being sold, and the last gave authorities the rights to search ships and take illegally smuggled items.
Impact-Americans began smuggling items into Britain so they didn't have to pay taxes and salutary neglect was practiced by the British. -
Great Awakening
Lasting from about 1730-1740, the Great Awakening was a time after Puritan rule ends and Separatism began. It highlighted forming a relationship with God and the rapid succession in which material possessions were taking the place of spiritual values.
Impact- Not only was religious authority questioned, but also colonists began questioning the British government. They began questioning is the government was upholding social contract theory and their 3 natural rights. -
The French and Indian War
The French and Indian war was fought by the British against the French for control of land and trade routes. The British won with a lot of help from the colonial militia, but ended up effecting American lives for the worse.
Impact-Taxes increased because of the big war debt the British had to pay off, so they created Acts in America. The Proclamation Line was created, cutting Americans off from the OHR and ending westward expansion, and British soldiers were left in America. -
Sugar Act
This act lowered the taxes created in the Molasses Act. The Molasses Act added huge taxes to items like sugar and molasses. The Sugar Act taxes were indirect, meaning the tax was added into the cost of the sugar.
Impact- The biggest impact the Sugar Act had was creating the Writs of Assistance, which granted search warrants for anyone, anywhere, and anytime. It was this that really decreased the salutary neglect practiced by the British. -
Stamp Act and Stamp Act Congress
The Stamp Act was a tax on all printed goods. It was a direct tax, meaning the tax was paid separate from the item. Colonists felt their rights were violated and the Stamp Act Congress was formed. The congress consisted of rich people who resisted the Stamp Act.
Impact-The Sons of Liberty lead various boycotts throughout the colonies. There was also a non-importation agreement made between colonists opposing the Stamp Act. -
Townshend Acts
These acts replaced the Stamp Act after it was repealed, yet it was also repealed after only 4 years. These were similar to the Navigation Acts, except they taxed items like glass, paint, and tea. The money collected was used to finance troops in the colonies.
Impact-More troops made their way into the colonies and the Quartering Act was made. This required Americans to house and feed British soldiers in their homes. -
Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre was an event in which Americans antagonized British soldiers in the colonies. Eventually, the soldiers fired and several American colonists were killed. The view on the event varies depending on the side looked at and it is unclear who gave the order for the soldiers to fire.
Impact- American colonist were outraged that British soldiers had killed Americans. John Adams defended the soldiers in court and they were found not guilty, leaving the Americans even more outraged. -
Tea Act and Boston Tea Party
The tea act was created when the British East India Co. nearly went bankrupt, and was a tax on tea. A monopoly was created so they could earn more money and the Sons of Liberty were the ones to react. They boarded British ships and dumped nearly $1-3 million dollars worth of tea overboard in an event called the Boston Tea Party.
Impact- Britain sees this as a threat and sends a lot more troops to America. The King gives orders to punish those involved creating a list with either capture or kill. -
Intolerable Acts
This set of five acts greatly effected the lives of Americans. The first act shut down Boston Harbor. The second made it so the colonies could no longer self-govern. The third stated that any soldier would be sent back to Britain for a trial. The fourth extended the Quartering Act, while the last extended Canadian boarders.
Impact- The economy of Boston was completely shut down and Boston was completely isolated. The creation of these Acts lead to the 1st Continental Congress. -
Lexington and Concord
The British wanted to steal all of the American guns and ammunition so they planned to attack Lexington and Concord. The American militia found out and were able to fight back, leaving the British toll far higher than the American and no ammunition stolen. Nearly 3 British soldiers were killed for every one American casualty.
Impact-This was a high morale boost for the Americans. It also brought about the 2nd Continental Congress and eventually the creation of the Declaration of Independence.