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The Royal Proclamation of 1763
The Royal Proclamation of 1763 was issued by the British government to halt westard expansion of the colonies. It declared Appalachia the west boundary for American settlements. This greatly angered the colonists. They believed that the British government was trying to keep the colonies under the tight rule of the British empire. Therefore, the colonists ignored the Proclamation and continued west anyway, and the British government did nothing to stop them. -
The Sugar Act
During the French and Indian War, Britain had accumulated a vast amount of debt. In order to pay off that debt, Britain taxed the colonies.The Sugar Act placed tax on sugar and molasses. The colonists were angered and boycotted many English goods. They also harrassed tax collectors and held protests. In response, Britain's government sent custom collectors to enforce the taxation, as well as increased the power of the vice-admirality courts concerning cases that involved the trade laws. -
The Stamp Act
The Stamp Act required all printed documents to have a revenue stamp. Even playing cards were taxed. The colonists were enraged, even more so than when the Sugar Act was passed. They had no representation in Parliament. This taxation went against their rights as British citizens. Again, the colonists protested and boycotted. They held assemblies speaking against "taxation without representation". The boycotts threatened to bankrupt British merchants, so Parliament repealed the Stamp Act in 1766. -
The Declaratory Act
After Parliament repealed the Stamp Act, the British government feared the colonists believed they had given up legislating the colonies. Therefore, on the same day the Stamp Act was repealed, Parliament passed the Declaratory Act, stating that Britain had the authority to make and pass any laws for the colonies. Most Americans recognized the difference between taxation and legislation; however the Act made no distinction. So the Americans waited to see if Parliament would enforce more taxes. -
The Townshend Acts
The Townshend Acts are named after Charles Townshend, the man who convinced Britain to impose more taxes on the colonies. This time, goods such as glass, paper, lead, and tea were taxed. Custom commissionsers were appointed to catch smugglers and the New York legislature was suspended as well. The colonists again boycotted, protested, harrassed, and held colonial assemblies. Eventually, the tumult led to the Boston Massacre and Parliament repealed all taxes, except the tax on tea.
