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The Proclamation of 1763
After the French and Indian war, the British government issued a proclamation that made it illegal to cross the Appalachians, to settle on the other side. If they already bought land there, they couldn't go. The proclamation was issued to appease the Native Americans, and to make it so the colonists could trade with ONLY Britain. Many colonists responded by ignoring the law, and moving across the mountains. The British simply responded by stationing 10,000 soldiers in the colonies. -
The Sugar Act of 1764
The Sugar Act was a tax on sugar, coffee, wine, and indigo. Importing French Wines was outlawed along with importing rum. The Sugar Act reduced the tax on Molasses by 3 pence per gallon, but it made new laws to make sure these taxes were squeezed out of the colonists. The colonists responded to the Sugar Act by boycotting British products. When British merchants complained to Britain about the dropping economy, the Parliament quickly repealed the Sugar Act. -
The Stamp Act of 1765
The Stamp Act was an act that placed a tax on newspapers and other printed items. All of the items required a stamp (that the colonists bought) on them to show that the tax was payed. Colonists were outraged, and placed a boycott on British goods. The British gave up in the February of 1766, when Parliament repealed the law. On the same day though, Parliament passed the Declaratory Act. It said that Parliament had the right to tax and make decisions for the British colonies "in all cases." -
Quartering Act of 1765
The purpose of this act was to make places of residence for British soldiers in the colonies. The colonies were required to house British soldiers in barracks. If the barracks were to small, they were forced to give up other buildings so the British soldiers could live there. The colonists didn't like this at all, because it was like kicking someone out of their property, and giving it to a soldier. They didn't like it, but they couldn't do anything about it, because Britain wouldn't give up. -
The Townshend Acts
The Townshend Acts were a series of acts that placed taxes on things that the colonies imported. Some of the things that the tax was placed on were paint, paper, glass, lead, and coffee. Many colonists viewed the taxation as an abuse of power, resulting in the decision to limit imports from Britain. Eventually, in 1770, all of the Townshend Acts were repealed by Parliament except for the tax on tea. -
The Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre began when a drunk mob started heckling and throwing snowballs at sentry. A squad of British soldiers came to support him and let loose fire. 3 people died instantly, and 2 died later of wounds. The victims were Samuel Gray, Samuel Maverick, James Coldwell, Crispus Attucks, and Patrick Carr. Only 2 of the soldiers in the massacre were punished by a brand on the hand. The colonists went practically cray and called it a murder. The British couldn't do anything to stop them. -
The Boston Tea Party
On December 16, Boston was to receive a shipment of tea from Britain.The Sons of Liberty and the citizens of Boston didn't want it, and thus raided the shipment. They dressed as Native Americans and went on the ship. They tossed 342 chest of tea into the Boston Harbor. In response, King George III and the Parliament closed the city port. They also made the Intolerable/Coercive acts because of it. All in all, a pretty violent reaction to tea. Fit for starting a war. -
The Intolerable/Coercive Acts
The Intolerable Acts were made by Parliament to punish Boston. One of them was bringing back the Quartering Act, which required places to house the British soldiers. Another was the The Boston Port Act, which closed the port of Boston until the price of the wasted tea was paid. A third was the Massachusetts Government Act, which outlawed democracy in Massachusetts. Lastly there was the The Administration of Justice Act, which said that British couldn't be considered criminals in Massachusetts. -
The First Continental Congress
This was the colonists' response to the Intolerable/Coercive Acts. Instead of leaving Boston under martial rule, the colonies all started sending Boston supplies and discussing war. In September 1774, the First Continental Congress met in Philadelphia and began creating a united resistance to British rule in America. The British's response was simple: WAR!!!
