Timeline of Revenue Acts

By Alanting

  • The Sugar Act

    The Sugar Act was enacted in April of 1764. It decreased the taxes on foreign molasses in half, and taxed sugar. The colonists were furious with this act and participated in many protests. The British Government made a few changes to the act and imposed the Stamp Act in response.

  • The Currency Act

    The Currency Act was enacted in June 1764. It ended all printing and handing out paper money by colonial legislatures. The colonists also decided to protest throughout the colonies due to the passing of this act. The government made sure to enforce this act and supported it.

  • The Stamp Act

    The Stamp Act was enacted shortly after the Sugar Act, in 1765. It taxed all things that used paper such as newspapers, books, playing cards, and documents. This act resulted in violent protests from the colonists, they also argued that there should be "No Taxation without Representation". The British Government stood strong with the Stamp Act and coupled the repeal of the act.

  • The Townshend Acts

    The Townshend Acts were enacted in 1767. They made and increased taxes on glass, tea, lead, paper, and paint. The colonists wanted to repeal these Acts and organized many boycotts. The British Government sent out troops to Boston to enforce the Acts, which later resulted in the outbreak of the Boston Massacre three years later.

  • The Tea Act

    The Tea Act was enacted in May 1773. It gave a tax break on tea to the East India Company and reduced the amount of tea they held. The colonists condemned the act and planned to boycott the tea. This was the cause for the Boston tea party. The British Government decided to impose more policies on the colony of Massachusetts.