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Post Office Act
The Post Office Act was the first act established during the Colonial time period. The Post Office Act was established to set a standard postal rate for letter carrying. The Colonists felt the taxation was unconscionable and it was revised in 1765. The revenues from the taxation was used to fund the financial needs of the colonies, for example during times of war. -
Molasses Act
The Molasses Act established a six pence per gallon tax on the importing of molasses from the non-English colonies. The demand for molasses increased as the popularity of rum increased. The colonists did not pay the tax often, instead they would smuggle the molasses into the colonies. Originally the act was not to make money, but to make the non-English molasses more expensive. -
Currency Act
The Currency Act was intended to manage the Colonial currency structure. The Currency Act stopped the issuance of new bills and the redistribution of the current currency. The currency act got rid of Colonial bills. This made the colonies angry and trade began to deteriorate; creating hostility between the Colonies and Great Britain. -
Sugar Act
The Sugar Act was implemented to stop the bootlegging and evading the molasses tax. The Sugar Act decreased the tax on sugar and molasses from six pence per pound to three pence per pound. The Sugar Act assisted in setting off the rebellion against the tax act. The Sugar Act included taxes on wine, coffee, cambric, and printed calico. -
Stamp Act
The Stamp Act was the first tax imposed directly on American Colonists. This act taxed paper documents such as legal documents, magazines, playing cards, and newspapers. The Stamp Act was initiated because the Seven Years' War had left Great Britain broke due to the long ongoing battle. The Colonists felt this was an unjust tax. Colonists threatened tax collectors so they would no longer collect the taxes and quit. -
Declaration of Independence Adopted
The Declaration of Independence was written by Thomas Jefferson and others. It was adopted by the Second Continental Congress. The Declaration of Independence is a formal document that states the independence of the Colonies from Great Britain and their right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It is intended to be a document not allowing citizen's God-given rights to be infringed upon. -
Ratification of Constitution
The Constitution needed ratified because of required amendments regarding the legislative branch and international treaties. The Constitutional Convention finalized the Constitution of the United States. The ratification needed approval of 9 of the 13 colonies. Each state would receive representation in the House of Representatives, depending on population and two elected representatives in the Senate without regard to population. -
Bill of Rights Ratified
The Bill of Rights is the first 10 Amendments of the Constitution. It was written to guarantee personal freedom and place limits on government power. These rights still hold true today.
