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Proclamation of 1763
The Proclamation of 1763 was an act that stopped settlers from settling past the Appalachian Mountains. This was due to tensions from the French and Indian War. Before, there were already colonists settled in lands west of the Appalachians, and were angered at the recent law removing them from their homes. At the time, colonists were in good standing with the Natives, so they felt as the Proclamation was unwarranted. The significance of this is that it started negative relations with Britain. -
Sugar Act
The Sugar Act was a not-so-great attempt at regulating sugar and molasses trade in the colonies. The Sugar Act helped regulate trade laws established by the Navigation Acts by the British, helped the British with French and Indian War expenses, and helped undermine illegal trade. Colonists were outraged by this because it stripped them away from economic freedom and diplomacy with other nations. -
Currency Act
The purpose of the Currency Act was to regulate paper money issued by the colonies. From the English perspective, it was designed to protect English merchants from being scammed through depreciated colonial currency, as they did not know the conversion rates back then. The colonists were negatively impacted by this as they found this to add to the divide economically and culturally between England and America. This helped add metaphorical fuel to the fire of revolution and unfair taxation. -
Stamp Act
The purpose of the Stamp Act was to require colonists to pay a tax for all printed goods on paper. From the English perspective, the funds from the Stamp Act were supposed to help with defending and protecting troops on the Appalachian frontier. This act angered the colonists because rather than all other taxes being a money regulation technique, the Stamp Act was a direct attempt to raise money. The Stamp Act was the first time colonists banded together against a British cause. -
Townshend Acts
The Townshend Acts were a series of acts passed by the British that were designed to tax on paper, paint, lead, glass, and tea, set up a tax council, set up a new justice system, and a law that allowed the British to invade American houses at any time. Colonists were upset because they weren't allowed any members in Parliament. They felt it to be unconstitutional for the British to tax without representation. It started the "No taxation without representation" phrase and encouraged revolt. -
Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre was an event in which British soldiers opened fire on a crowd of American colonists. The direct cause from this was the Townshend Acts put into place a few years prior. Originally, it started from a small argument taking place, but then escalated to having British troops called in. The colonists did not take this too well, as their own were dying in the Boston Massacre. This deepened the rift between England and the colonies and started a rallying cry for patriotism. -
Committees of Correspondence
The Committees of Correspondence were the colonies' way of talking to each other. They were started in major cities throughout the 13 colonies. They led to the spread of governments in the colonies that worked not only for their own respective colony, but worked as a whole with the 12 other colonies too. Colonists reacted to this with enthusiasm, as it gave structure to the unorganized colonies. It helped bind together the colonies and set the boundaries for communication. -
Tea Act
The Tea Act was a tax the British imposed on the colonists taxing tea. It was a way for the British to pay off their debts from the French and Indian War. Colonists were severely angered by this as they had not agreed to it by any means and felt they were being taxed for menial things. This furthered the "No taxation without representation" movement and helped push the colonies further toward revolt. -
Intolerable/Coercive Acts
The Intolerable/Coercive Acts were a set of five laws passed by the English that acted as direct result of the Boston Tea Party. The five acts were the Boston Port Act, Massachusetts Government Act, Administration of Justice Act, Quartering Act, and the Quebec Act. Colonists were angered by this as they felt these laws were petty and unfair. They felt they could not "tolerate" these laws. They felt that their basic freedoms were being taken away with this act. This added to colonial patriotism. -
First Continental Congress
The First Continental Congress was a direct result of the Intolerable/Coercive Acts being passed. It was a meeting of all the colonies except Georgia in which they sent delegates to discuss about the course of action against England. Colonists reacted to this indifferently yet also anxiously, as the idea of revolution was dawning upon them. The historical significance of this was that through the king's unfavorable reaction, it resulted in the colonies deciding to handle matters violently. -
Lexington & Concord
The Battle of Lexington and Concord was a small yet important battle. It marked the beginning of the Revolutionary War as it was the point when the English and Americans first opened fire upon each other. Colonists reacted to this in alarm as they had to fight one of the strongest militia in the world. The historical significance of this event was that it marked the start of the Revolutionary War.
