Timeline of Revenue Acts

By andersonj27

  • Proclamation of 1763

    Proclamation of 1763
    • Description: This act prohibited American colonists from settling west of the Appalachian Mountains in an effort to avoid conflicts with Native American tribes.
    • Colonists' reaction: Many colonists were angered by this restriction as they felt it limited their opportunities for land and expansion.
    • British Government's reaction: The British government believed the Proclamation would help maintain peace with Native Americans and prevent further conflicts.

  • Sugar Act

    Sugar Act
    • Description: The Sugar Act imposed taxes on sugar, wine, coffee, and other imported goods in the colonies.
    • Colonists' reaction: Colonists protested against the tax, arguing that it violated their rights as British subjects.
    • British Government's reaction: The British government defended the Sugar Act as a necessary measure to raise revenue for the British Empire.

  • Stamp Act

    Stamp Act
    • Description: The Stamp Act required colonists to purchase special stamped paper for legal documents, newspapers, and other printed materials.
    • Colonists' reaction: Colonists organized boycotts and protests against the Stamp Act, arguing that it was taxation without representation.
    • British Government's reaction: Faced with widespread resistance, the British government eventually repealed the Stamp Act in 1766.

  • Townshend Acts

    Townshend Acts
    • Description: The Townshend Acts imposed duties on glass, lead, paint, paper, and tea imported into the colonies.
    • Colonists' reaction: Colonists responded with boycotts and protests against the new taxes.
    • British Government's reaction: The British government initially defended the Townshend Acts but eventually repealed most of the duties in 1770 due to colonial resistance.

  • Tea Act

    Tea Act
    • Description: The Tea Act gave the British East India Company a monopoly on tea sales in the colonies, leading to lower prices but angering colonial merchants.
    • Colonists' reaction: Colonists viewed the Tea Act as another attempt to assert British control and protested by boycotting British tea.
    • British Government's reaction: The British government thought the Tea Act would help the struggling British East India Company and increase revenue, but it just led to the Boston Tea Party in 1773.