-
Proclamation of 1763
The British government calls for a halt in westward expansion beyond the Appalachian mountains. However, the colonist disregarded this decree and continued to settle west of the Appalachian mountains. This act infuriated the British and King George, as the colonist directly disobeyed an order, also King George worried about further conflicts that could arise from settling west of the Appalachian mountains. -
Sugar Act
The Sugar Act was enacted by the British Parliamentary to increase profit from the West Indian and North American sugar trade. This act placed tariffs on sugar, wine, coffee, and other items imported by the colonies. The colonist were outraged when this act was passed as it hurt the colonial merchants that were stuck in a postwar economic depression. The British favored the act as their national debt doubled due to the war and enforced the act with the utmost importance upon the colonies. -
Stamp Act
This act declared that revenue stamps be affixed to all printed documents in the American colonies. The British imposed this tax in order to help pay British soldiers in North America after the French and Indian war. However, the colonist responded to this with the phrase "No taxation without Representation", and found the Stamp Act to violate their rights as Englishmen. Also the group "Sons of Liberty" was formed due to the Stamp Act and orchestrated the famous Boston Tea Party incident. -
Declaratory Act
Due to the boycott of British goods from the colonist, Parliament repealed the Stamp Act and on the same day issued the Declaratory Act. The Declaratory Act dictated that Parliament's power in England is the same in the colonies. This angered the colonist who claimed that the recognized King but sought self sovereignty from Britain. -
Townshend Act
The Townshend Act enacted four measures to raise revenue to pay the salaries of British governors and other officials in the colonies; this act imposed taxes and tariffs on a variety of imports, including glass, lead, paints, paper, silk, and tea. The colonist heavily opposed this act and certain people started to openly rebel against the British and the British soldiers. This also resulted in Boston Massacre in 1770 committed by British soldiers.
