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Proclamation Act of 1763
This act prevented expansion of the colonies past the Appalachian mountain's in order to prevent war with the Native Americans. Despite this colonists largely ignored the proclamation and westward expansion remained mostly unimpacted. -
Sugar Act
The Sugar Act while lowering the tax on molasses introduced new taxes on products which included sugar such as: wine, rum, tropical foods, etc. This act had an effect on Colonial exports such as iron and lumber going as far as to outright ban them, making it harder for colonists to earn money. In combination with the Currency Act soon to come colonists would protest with the slogan "No taxation without representation". -
The Currency Act
This act banned the use of colonial notes or currencies from colonies disrupting transactions between colonies and making it harder for the people to purchase goods do to the lack of currency circulating within the colonies to begin with. Soon following this colonists would protest "No taxation without representation". -
Stamp Act
The Stamp Act was a tax imposed on the colonies which strained the peoples abilities to obtain all sorts of parchment, including but not limited to: Legal papers, books, calendars, playing cards, and dice. This caused colonists to protest, upset at the parliament and the kings advisors stating that it went against their basic rights granted in that Magna Carta. -
The Quartering Act
This act required colonists to provide shelter to British troops staying in the colonies. This allowed for British solders to sleep, eat, and live in the comfort of any residency without having to compensate the owners of the house. Colonists once again to no avail protested, citing the 1689 Bill of Rights, which prevented the a standing army without the consent of parliament. Colonists would label this as one of the "Intolerable Acts". -
The Declaratory Act
This act while not changing much on the surface basically served as a reminder that the colonies were underneath of the king and parliament and all protests and grievances against any acts put in place were null and void. This act followed the repealing of the Stamp Act and despite their victory some colonists were upset by this seeing it as a sign of more to come. -
Townshend Acts
The Townshend Acts put taxes on goods used for building houses or shelters such as; Glass, paint, and lead. With the notable inclusion of tea. This prompted colonists to protest through boycotting British goods and turn to more lucrative ventures to obtain goods, smuggling. -
The Boston Massacre
A group of soldiers fired into a crowd of protesters killing five after the protesters began taunting the soldiers. This sparked outrage across the colonies with the help of press to spread the news. -
The Boston Tea Party
During protests on tea taxes a group of protester's affiliated with a group known as the "Sons of Liberty" boarded the ship dumping hundreds of chests of tea into the docks. This sparked celebration among the colonies and was seen as a huge win by the patriots. -
The Intolerable Acts
The Intolerable Acts were a series of laws put in place to punish the colonists after the Boston Tea Party. These acts led to the First Continental Congress. -
Quebec Act
The Quebec Act was mainly targeted the colonies near Quebec promoting religious freedoms, making colonists feel alienated from Canadian colonists. Further making the colonists feel as though they have been denied their rights.