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What it did: Forbade colonists from settling west of the Appalachians. Why Britain passed it: To avoid conflict with Native Americans and reduce military costs. Colonial response: Many colonists ignored it; land speculators were angry. -
What it did: Taxed sugar, molasses, and other imports; enforced trade regulations. Why Britain passed it: To raise revenue and reduce smuggling after the French and Indian War. Colonial response: Protests, boycotts, and increased resentment over “taxation without representation.” -
What it did: Banned colonies from issuing paper money. Why Britain passed it: To protect British merchants and standardize currency for trade. Colonial response: Economic strain and anger; seen as controlling colonial economies. -
What it did: Taxed all printed materials, including legal documents and newspapers. Why Britain passed it: To raise revenue to pay for troops stationed in the colonies. Colonial response: Boycotts, riots, and the Stamp Act Congress; resistance was widespread. -
What it did: Required colonies to house and supply British soldiers. Why Britain passed it: To reduce the cost of stationing troops in America. Colonial response: Resistance, especially in New York; many colonists saw it as a violation of rights. -
What it did: Asserted Parliament’s authority over colonies in “all cases whatsoever.” Why Britain passed it: To reaffirm control after repealing the Stamp Act. Colonial response: Colonists celebrated Stamp Act repeal but worried about future taxes.
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What it did: Placed duties on imports like glass, lead, paint, paper, and tea; strengthened customs enforcement. Why Britain passed it: To raise revenue and demonstrate parliamentary authority without direct land taxes. Colonial response: Renewed protests and boycotts; smuggling increased. -
What happened: British soldiers killed five colonists during a confrontation. Why it happened: Rising tensions between soldiers and colonists escalated into violence. Colonial response: Outrage; used in propaganda to fuel anti-British sentiment. -
What happened: Colonists dumped 342 chests of British tea into Boston Harbor. Why it happened: Protest against the Tea Act granting a monopoly to the East India Company. Colonial response: Celebrated as bold resistance; Britain passed harsh laws in response. -
What it did: Closed Boston Harbor until tea was repaid. Why Britain passed it: Punishment for the Boston Tea Party. Colonial response: Economic hardship in Boston; other colonies sent aid. -
What it did: Restricted Massachusetts’ self-government; council appointed by the crown. Why Britain passed it: To tighten control over rebellious Massachusetts. Colonial response: Viewed as an attack on self-government. -
What it did: Allowed trials of royal officials to be moved out of the colony. Why Britain passed it: To protect officials from hostile colonial juries. Colonial response: Seen as letting officials escape justice. -
What it did: Allowed housing of British troops in private buildings if needed. Why Britain passed it: To ensure soldiers had accommodations. Colonial response: Viewed as another violation of rights and property. -
What it did: Expanded Quebec territory; allowed Catholicism; maintained French civil law. Why Britain passed it: To secure the loyalty of French Canadians. Colonial response: Colonists feared loss of western lands and the spread of Catholic influence.