Timeline 1763-1774

Proclamation 1763

Oct 7, 1763

This proclamation was produced after the French and Indian War in order to restrict the colonist's movement going westward. It was also used to prevent more wars with Native Americans but this would anger the colonists because they thought it was their right to occupy the western lands.

Sugar Act

Apr 5, 1764

This Act replaced the Molasses Act of 1733. It was used to outlaw foreign rum in the colonies and put a lower duty on molasses. They also were taxed on wines, silks, coffee, and other items. The act was strongly enforced and made the merchants and colonists unhappy. Many colonists were upset with the act due to them having no representation in Parliament.

Currency Act

Sep 1, 1764

The Currency Act was used to stop and Prohibit the colonial governments from issuing paper money and to pay taxes or debts using British money instead. The colonists often did not have access to hard money so this made many problems for them.

Stamp Act

Mar 22, 1765

The stamp act was used by Brittan as a way to cover the cost of the French and Indian Wars. It taxed many everyday items the colonists used, such as almanacs, newspapers, legal documents, pamphlets, and dice. In response colonists boycotted British goods because they believed it unconstitutional and a violation of their rights.

Quartering Act

Mar 24, 1765

This Act stopped soldiers from quartering in private homes but required the colonial government to provide royal/British troops with supplies such as candles, beverages, and bedding and also barracks. The colonists were upset by this because it infringed their rights, their governments had no say, and they often struggled to already provide for themselves.

Declaratory Act

Mar 18, 1766

This declaration from Parliament stated that they have the right to make laws for the colonists to follow. Colonists saw this as alarming and threat to their own governments.

Townshend Act

Jun 15, 1767

New duties/taxes were put on glass, lead, paint, paper, and tea. Colonists objected and were angered by these duties because they had no representation in Parliament. This act would later be the cause for the Boston Massacre which occurred the same day the act was modified to only impose duties on tea.

Boston Massacre

Mar 5, 1770

This incident was a result of the Townshend Act and built tension with the British. In Boston Massachusetts a crowd of colonists confronted and taunted British soldiers resulting in five people dead and six wounded.

Boston Tea party

Dec 16, 1773

This was a result of the Tea Act which made the only way tea was available was through the East India Company. Colonists revolted by sneaking out at night disguised as Native Americans and dumping the tea into the Boston harbor.

Intolerable Acts (Coercive Acts)

Mar 31, 1774

These were laws put on the colonists in response to the Boston Tea Party. They closed the Boston port until all of the tea that was vandalized had been paid for. Town meetings were only allowed once a year and replaced the towns governor.

Quartering Act 1774

Jun 2, 1774

This act changed the Quartering Act of 1765 by allowing British soldiers to be housed in private homes of the colonists.

Quebec Act

Jun 22, 1774

The Quebec Act changed the boundaries of the Quebec province which made colonial expansion difficult.