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Sugar Act
This act set a tax on sugar and molasses that was imported into the colonies. This mpacted the manufacture of rum in New England.
The colonists were very upset! It wasn't the money itself that posed the problem, but the way it was imposed and enforced.
The Sugar Act was repealed in 1766. It was replaced with the Revenue Act of 1766, which reduced the tax on molasses imports. -
Currency Act
This act effectively assumed the control of the colonial currency system. It prohibited the issue of any new bills, and the reissue of currency already in existence.
The colonies protested against this. They suffered a trade deficit with Great Britain already, and stated that the shortage of hard capital would further worsen the ordeal.
The British allowed for the Currency Act to divide Great Britain and its colonies in America. -
Stamp Act
The Stamp Act placed a tax on newspapers, almanacs, pamphlets, legal documents, insurance policies, ship's papers, licenses, and even playing cards. All these items were recquired to carry a tax stamp.
This act fueled colonial rage, which lead to the first concerted effort to resist British authority.
Due to intense protests and boycotts, the British repealed the Stamp Act in 1766. -
Indemnity Act
This act reduced taxes on the British East India Company when they imported tea into England. This allowed for them to export tea to the colonies for cheaper, and then resell it to the colonists.
The colonists took part in a series of protests, riots and boycotts of English merchandise to signify their anger.
This lead to the occupation of Boston by British troops and eventually, the Boston Massacre. Eventually, the acts were repealed. -
Tea Act
The act’s goal was not to raise money from the colonists' pockets, but to bail out the East India Company, who played an important role in the British economy. A tax was placed on tea; a very common drink.
The colonist's resistance resulted in the Boston Tea Party on December 16, 1773. Colonists boarded East India Company ships and dumped loads of tea overboard.
The Parliament responded to this event with a series of cruel measures meant to stifle colonial resistance to British rule.
