Taxation Timeline

By ameliaplescia

  • The Proclamation of 1763

    The Proclamation prevented colonists from settling west of a line along the Appalachian Mountains, the British sent 10,000 troops to enforce the act.

  • The Sugar Act

    To pay back their debts from the French-Indian War, the British put a new tax on molasses. The previous tax was extremely high and avoided, so the new one was lowered in hopes the colonists would pay it. The law also made it easier for the British to bring smugglers to trial. The colonists were outraged by the tax and boycotted it.

  • Formation of the Stamp Act Congress

    In October, the colonists were outraged that they were being taxed without any representation in the parliament. The phrase "no taxation without representation" was beginning to be thrown around. Delegates from 9 of the colonies met in New York City to write petitions against taxation from the parliament.

  • The Stamp Act

    Still attempting to pay back their war debts, the British placed a tax on legal documents (wills, diplomas, marriage papers, etc.), newspapers, almanacs, dice, and playing cards. These items required a stamp which proved the tax was paid.

  • The Stamp Act - Repealed

    The Stamp Act was repealed. At the same time, the Parliament passed a law that asserted their right to raise taxes in every situation.

  • The Townshend Act

    The Townshend Acts taxed glass, paper, lead, tea, and paint. The colonists still opposed the tax; "no taxation without representation". The Townshend Acts also allowed British officials to search cargo without a reason if they had a "writs of assistance".

  • Boston Massacre

    A crowd of rioters faced British soldiers in Boston. It led to physical fights between the two parties, shots fired by soldiers, and five people dead.

  • Most of the Townshend Acts - Repealed

    The Americans boycotting the goods ended up hurting British merchants more than it helped the government to pay back their war debts.

  • "The Shot Heard Around the World"

    The first shot of the Revolutionary War was fired in Lexington, Massachusetts. In this battle, the British soldiers forced the colonial militia to retreat.