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Royal Proclamation
The British banned settlers from moving west of the Appalachian Mountains and fur traders were permitted only when given permission. Due to this being difficult to enforce, many did not follow the measure and continued to pour into the territory regardless. -
Sugar Act
In order to increase revenue, the British imposed an import tax on sugar and several other items commonly entering Great Britians Colonies. Colonists created committees in order to protest the law and refuse cooperation. This only created greater tensions. -
Stamp Act
The Stamp Act placed a tax on any printed goods. In order to prove the tax had been paid these items either had to be printed onto stamped paper or have a special stamp attached. Since this act was passed by parliament and the colonists had no direct representation in parliament they expressed major discontent and even met in protests. -
Declaratory Act
This act allowed for Parliament to make laws and do anything possible in order to bind the colonies and the people of America. The colonists were still pleased with the repeal of the Stamp Act and therefore gave this little notice, the fight about taxes was left unsolved. -
Townshend Act
A law which placed duties on all items received at colonial ports. this also came with the Writs of Assistance which allowed British Officials to search anything under suspicion. Although the colonists were glad other taxes had been repealed, they were still upset and protests continued to occur. -
Boston Massacre
British troops were sent to Boston to silence the protests but instead a small group of soldiers were faced against a large group of rebels. This encounter quickly became violent after one of the soldiers guns had fired. After this violent outbreak occurred news spread to other colonies and soon all of the colonies were aware as to what had happened. -
Tea Act
After the British East India Company nearly went bankrupt, Parliament passed the Tea Act excusing the company from paying certain duties and selling directly to American Merchants. Majority of colonists opposed this act and refused to buy tea. They were concerned that the British companies would be the destruction of their own. -
Intolerable Acts
The Coercive Acts were four acts designed to punish Boston and Massachusetts. This act would close the port of Boston, revoke the Massachusetts charter of 1691, allowed for royal officials charged with crime to be tried elsewhere, and ordered locals to provide for stationed soldiers. Hostility towards the British increased greatly. -
Quebec Act
Extended Quebec's boundaries south, overriding the claims of Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Virginia to the western lands. This law also granted religious freedom to French Roman Catholics. Colonists began focusing on the increasing pattern of oppression rather then specific policies. A new colonial unity and identity was beginning to develop.
