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Proclamation of 1763
Description: This act prohibited American settlers from buying westward land and trading with Native Americans.
British: Thought that this would stop fighting between settlers and Indians. Also gave British economic power (through land)
American: Didn't like the restriction that this law created. Also wanted the freedom to cultivate land in the west. -
Sugar Act of 1764
Description: The Sugar Act created a 3 cent tax on sugar. It also increased taxes on coffee, indigo, and wine.
British: Wanted to raise money for themselves, reduce American smuggling, and take control of the market.
Americans: Didn't like this harsher form discipline, and also didn't want to lose money. -
Currency Act of 1764
Description; The Currency Act abolished the use of colonial bills, and forced the colonists to use British currency.
British Reasons: The British wanted to get rid of the confusion of having many different types of bills. They also wanted to encourage colonists to borrow from British banks.
American Reaction: The Americans were extremely upset, because they had very little useful currency left to trade with. -
Stamp Act of 1765
Description: The Stamp Act made colonists pay a tax on any paper documents that were created.
British Reasons: The British wanted to raise money to pay of their debts created in the French and Indian War.
American Reactions: Very few Americans approved of this act but their reactions varied. Some people simply complained about it while others banded together in mobs to protest taxation without representation. -
Quartering Act of 1765
Description: The Quartering Act forced colonists to provide lodging for British soldiers. This included providing public barracks, inns, and in some cases your home.
British Reasons: Needed lodging for their soldiers.
American Reaction: Felt that this violated their rights. Also didn't like the fact that the soldiers were even in the colonies. -
Stamp Act Congress 1765
Description: Representatives from 9 out of the 13 colonies joined together in New York City to discuss the issue of taxation without representation. They also wrote a "Declaration of Rights and Grievances" which focused on their rights as British citizens.
American Reasons: Many Americans thought the stamp act was a violation of their rights, so they wanted to meet together to take action against it.
British Reaction: The British rejected the Declaration of Rights and Grievances. -
Declatory Act of 1766
Description: This act confirmed Britain's absolute authority in taxing the colonies "in all cases, whatsoever." Parliament also repealed the Stamp Act, but this did not completely calm the colonists.
British Reason: The British wanted to assert their control over the American colonies.
American Reaction: The Americans suprisingly did not react as strongly to this act as they did to the stamp act and others. -
Townsend Act of 1767
Description: The Townsend Act created a tax on imported goods such as glass, lead, paint, paper, and tea. Eventually, this was reduced to only tax on tea.
British Reasons: The British thought that putting taxes on imports (an indirect tax) would be more well-recieved by the colonist than a direct tax on goods.
American Reaction: The Americans rioted in protest of this act. They also boycotted British goods.
