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Sugar Act
Definition ~ Created to collect specific revenues from the colonists, strictly enforced. Importance ~ Most important tax b/c it was greater amount than other taxes, actually enforced. -
Quartering Acts
Definition ~The Quartering Acts were the acts of Parliament requiring the colonial assemblies and legislature to provide barracks and supplies for the British soldiers that were “protecting” them. Importance ~ British Parliament was requiring the colonists to pay from their own pockets for the soldiers’ supplies. Colonists didn’t see reason why they had to pay for soldiers that they didn’t necessarily want in the first place and felt that they were being controlled instead of protected. -
Declaratory Act
Definition ~ The Declaratory Act was a law passed by Parliament accompanying the repeal of the Stamp Act. This Act stated that Parliament had the right to “legislate for the colonies whatsoever." Importance ~ The colonists believed that the Declaratory Act was a mere face-saving act; however it was much bigger than that. Unaware of this the colonists continued life until Parliament decided something and then used the Declaratory Act as justification creating resentment. -
Townshend Duty Acts
Definition ~ This imposed new duties and external taxes on common imported goods like tea, paint, paper, lead, and glass. Importance ~ Britian again was pushing the colonists to the brink and adding another straw on the proverbial camel's back contributing to the large pile that the English had already built. They targeted more people and some accusations turne out to be false starting riots. -
Virginia Resolutions
Definition ~ The Virginia House of Burgesses passed multiple resolutions stating that only Virginia’s governor and legislature has the power of taxing the colonists of Virginia. Importance ~ The Virginians are standing up and opposing wrongful and ridiculous taxes in an intelligent way. They are standing forth the crown and English power presenting themselves articulately, rationally, and being heard. They are taking matters into their own hands and having things done their way. -
Boston Massacre
Definition ~ Colonists and British troops had already created friction between each other, and when the colonists began to pelt the troops one day with sticks and stones it escalated to something large. British troops tired of being abused and disrespected fired on the crowd killing 5 colonists. Importance ~The troops firing and killing 5 colonists was a pretty huge deal and started a major riot. Colonists were also surprised that the troops would actually fire their guns. -
Attack on the "Gaspee"
Definition ~ The Gaspee a ship that was patrolling a Narragansett Bay, seizing smugglers, and apparently stealing livestock and cutting down farmer’s fruit trees for firewood. The ship ran aground and some Rhode Islanders got revenge. They boarded the ship, shot the captain in the butt, and then burned the ship. Importance ~ Colonists from Rhode Island saw an injustice being done to the colonies and felt that they should intervene and fix it. -
Boston Tea Party
Definition ~ Colonists part of the Sons of Liberty disguised themselves as Indian warriors they raced aboard the Dartmouth tea ship and dumped 342 chests of tea into the harbor. Importance ~ Upset about the ridiculous tea taxes colonists put their foot down and said no and made their point heard. This also started stricter laws and acts do it kind of back fired. -
Intolerable Acts
Definition ~ The Intolerable Acts were the Quebec and Coercive Acts together. The Quebec Act was a law passed that provided an appointed government for Canada. The Coercive Acts were repressive measures that Parliament used to respond to the Boston Tea Party. Importance ~ The Intolerable Acts were repressive acts and measures that were unneeded and quite harsh fueling many of the resentments that colonists held toward Parliament and England. -
The Battle of Lexington and Concord
Definition ~ General Gage and troops were ordered to destroy the few supplies that Lexington and Concord had. The British soldiers faced seventy militiamen, but the British won. When they got to Concord they were caught off guard as Americans attacked. They panicked and about 273 British troops were dead, wounded, or missing. Importance ~ This battle was he first fight of the Revolutionary War. The British were strong, but the Americans were becoming stronger posing a threat to England. -
Common Sense
Definition ~ Thomas Paine took the emotions and thoughts of the colonists plugged them into a brief pamphlet conveying independence. His pamphlet challenged English authority, oppressive methods, outrageous taxes, and awful enforcement styles, all of which most colonists disagreed with and were appalled. Importance ~ Putting things into writing is another way to enforce them and circulate them throughout communities and minds willing to help a cause that they not only believe in, but live in.
