-
Proclamation of 1763
Placed by the British crown after the French and Indian War, the Proclamation of 1763 placed a boundary along the Appalachian Mountains to prevent colonists from settling west, which was reserved for the Native Americans. This aimed to avoid conflicts with the Indigenous people and protect the British economic interests. Despite its objective, many settlers ignored the boundary, leading to colonial discontent.The proclamation caused issues that eventually contributed to the American Revolution. -
Sugar Act
The Sugar Act, as passed by the Parliament, reduced the taxes on molasses from 6 to 3 pence per gallon but enforced strict collection, aiming to curb colonial avoidance.It also taxed other imports like sugar and some other regulated exports.This impacted the colonial rum industry and trade market. The Sugar Act disrupted the colonial economy, weakening both markets and available currency, which set the stage for more chaos,later leading to the start of the Stamp Act and the American Revolution. -
Currency Act
This act addressed the colony's chronic shortage of currency, which was important for trade. Lacking gold and silver, colonies printed their own paper money, leading to confusion due to inconsistent usage. British Merchants were uneasy with this system due to the rapid decline. Parliament passed the Currency Act, banning new bills and renewing old ones, imposing a hard currency system based on the pound. The colonies feared protesting, they feared the act would worsen their trade with Britain. -
Stamp Act
The Stamp Act, imported taxes on all printed materials in the American colonies to fund British troops stationed after the French and Indian War. The act sparked many protests, particularly by the Sons of Liberty, who opposed "taxation without representation." The Stamp Act Congress organized boycotts which led to its repeal in 1766, but tension escalated, contributing to the American Revolution. Despite its revoke, the act asserted Britain's right to tax the colonists. -
Quartering Act 1765
The Quartering Act of 1765 required American colonies to house and supply British troops, many colonists saw this as a violation of the 1689 Bill of Rights. Initially, it aimed to address issues post-French and Indian War. The Act mandated housing in public buildings if necessary. New York resisted, leading to suspensions of its government, but eventually complied. Other colonies largely refused, and the Act expired in March 1767. -
Declaratory Act
Approved by George III, stated that Parliament's authority to legislate for the American colonies in all cases,including taxation. t was placed alongside the revoke of the Stamp Act to counter any misconceptions that Parliament had given up its power.Though initially of little concern, it later became a symbol of parliamentary overreach as tensions grew towards the American Revolution. Colonists saw it as a restatement of the 1689 constitutional principles which had not been used to tax Ireland. -
Townshend Act
Was a British Parliament measure that placed duties on imported goods like china, glass, lead, paint, paper, and tea in the American colonies.Passed by Chancellor Charles Townshend to raise revenue and assert control, these taxes caused strong colonial resistance due to lack of representation. Colonists boycotted British goods, leading to high tensions and the arrival of British troops. Although most taxes were revoked, the tea tax contributed to the Boston Tea Party and the American Revolution. -
Boston Massacre
British soldiers shot into a crowd in Boston, killing five and wounding six. This event, known as the Boston Massacre, resulted from rising tension between colonists and British authorities over taxation and military presence. The incident, occurring amid ongoing conflicts and protests against British rule, increased colonial discontent and was used by figures like Samuel Adams to cause public opinion against British oppression. -
Boston Tea party
The Boston Tea Party was an important act of rebellion.It took place in Boston Harbor.American colonists protested about British taxation without representation,they boarded three ships and dumped 342 chests of British East India Company tea into the water.The protest was a response to the Tea Act,which allowed the company to sell tea duty-free while still taxing it upon arrival.The Boston Tea Party created colonial resistance,leading to the American Revolution and further conflict with Britain. -
Intolerable Acts (Coercive Acts)
The Intolerable Acts took place in 1774, were four laws passed by Britain to punish Massachusetts for the Boston Tea Party. These included: the Boston Port Act, blocking Boston Harbor; the Massachusetts Government Act, restricting local governance. The Administration of Justice Act, which removed the right to a fair trial. The Quartering Act, mandating housing for troops. These acts provoked strong colonial resistance, contributing to the American Revolutionary War. -
Quartering Act 1774
On June 2, 1774, the British Parliament renewed and expanded the Quartering Act, as part of the Intolerable Acts intended to punish Boston for the Boston Tea Party. Initially requiring colonists to provide housing for British soldiers, the act now mandated housing soldiers in public buildings and hotels. This measure, alongside the Massachusetts Government Act, Administration of Justice Act, and Boston Port Act, aimed to place British control and stop colonial resistance. -
Quebec Act
The Quebec Act,repealed the Royal Proclamation of 1763, aiming to adapt French-Canadians. Instead, it appeased French speakers by guaranteeing religious freedom and restoring French property and civil laws. The Act expanded Quebec’s territory but was deemed one of the "Intolerable Acts" by American colonists, contributing to the American Revolutionary War. It was succeeded by the Constitutional Act of 1791,which split Quebec into Upper and Lower Canada, maintaining French rights in Lower Canada.