-
The Sugar Act
The Sugar Act was the first act passed by Parliment to pay back British debt from the French and Indian war. England increased the tax on all sugar products being imported into the colonies. The colonists used sugar for rum, cooking, etc. Many colonists couldn't afford the tax. -
The Stamp Act
The Stamp Act was passed Parliament to pay back debt from the French and Indian War. The British declared that anything made out of paper had to have a 1 cent stamp purchased with it in the colonies. This included dice, playing cards, letters, etc. Colonists used paper for almost everything, so this greatly impacted them. -
The Quartering Act
The Quartering Act was passed by Parliament because Britain wanted to "protect" the colonies from remaining French and Indian soldiers, so they sent out some of their troops to the colonies. They declared that colonists must provide housing for British soldiers if they need it. If they don't, it is a crime. Many colonists didn't follow this law. -
The Townshend Act
The Townshend Act was passed by Parliament and suggested by Charles Townshend because England felt that they were losing control over the colonies. To make up for this, they made themselves more powerful over them. England declared that they had to right to tax on certain shipped goods such as glass, paint, oil, lead, and tea. They also could go into the colonist's home and seize their belongings if it wasn't taxed yet. Nobody had the right to deny England their right to tax them. -
The Tea Act
The Tea Act was passed by Parliament to prevent Americans from illegally smuggling in tea. The British heavily reduced the price of tea from the British East India Company to expand it's monopoly over the colonies. They also increased the tariff that other countries had to pay to import goods into America. Americans instead started making herbal tea instead of buying England's. -
Boston Port Act
The Boston Port Act was passed by Parliament to punish Boston for the Boston Tea Party. The British government closed the Boston Harbor, a huge part in Boston's economy, until all of the money for the ruined tea was payed for. This ended up making the colonies united because they shared their resources with Boston. -
MA Government Act and The Administration of Justice Act
The Massachusetts Government Act and The Administration of Justice Act was passed by Parliament because England felt that they were losing control over the colonies. They declared that the governor, who represented England, must attend every government or official meeting in the colonies. Also, if a colonist wanted to go to court it had to be in the British Empire for a "fair trial". -
Quebec Act
The Quebec Act was passed by Parliament because Britain wanted to expand the British Empire and collect more taxes. The British government wanted to claim Quebec as a 14th colony to do so. They said that any French colonists could keep their Catholic faith if they are annexed.
