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Proclamation of 1763
This proclamation tried to stop western expansion beyond the Appalachians. The colonists' reaction was confusion and anger. They had just fought in the French and Indian War for this land, and now they could not use it. Also, some colonists were already in the West. The British Government reaction to the colonists was frustration that the colonists disobeyed their orders and went to the West anyway. Omondi, Sharon. “Where Are the Appalachians?” WorldAtlas, WorldAtlas, 30 Aug. 2017. -
Sugar Act
The Sugar Act was designed to increase Britain's profit from the American colonies. The French and Indian War was very costly, and they needed a way to pay their expenses. It placed tariffs on sugar, wine, coffee, and other items. The colonists reaction was not happy. They didn't think that taxation without representation was right. The British Government reacted to the colonists with surprise because the tax they placed on the colonies was less than the tax that mainland citizens had to pay. -
Stamp Act
The Stamp Act required that all documents in the colonies had to have a stamp. Previously, the British left the colonists alone for the most part. The colonists' reaction was anger because the Brits were exerting direct rule over the colonies. The British reaction to the colonists was worried about paying for the war because the colonists wouldn't pay. Brooks, Rebecca. “What Was the Stamp Act?” History of Massachusetts, 7 June 2018, historyofmassachusetts.org/the-stamp-act/. -
Declaratory Act
The Declaratory Act was passed after the repeal of the Stamp Act. It declared that the British had authority to make and enforce laws for the colonies. The colonists reaction was anger, because even though they had been content when the Stamp Act was repealed, this new act was a low blow. Britain was happy because this act let the colonists know that even though they won this time, it wasn't over. The British did this so the colonists would know that the British government was still in control. -
Townshend Act
The Townshend Act was enacted to increase Great Britain's profit from the American colonies. This act taxed a variety of imports. The colonists reaction was outraged at the fact that Britain regulated the price of everyday items, like paper and tea. Britain's reaction to the colonists was indifferent. They obviously cared more about paying off the war's expenses than sparing the colonies' feelings. “Charles Townshend, 2nd Viscount Townshend.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 19 June 2018.
