Post French and Indian War Acts

Proclamation of 1763

Oct 7, 1763

This act forbade all settlement west of the Appalachian Mountain range for the colonies. It was meant to keep a better hold on what the colonies could do, as well as keep the amount of money that the British was rolling in high. The colonists responded to this by not abiding by the rule at all and settling wherever they wanted.

The Sugar Act

Apr 5, 1764

This act was more of an update of an old act because the act already existed (Sugar and Molasses Act of 1733). By the time this act was in place, the colonists were used to living with paying this tax.

The Currency Act

Sep 1, 1764

The act was sought to protect British merchants and creditors from being paid in depreciated colonial currency. It is defined as a law regulating paper money issued to the Colonies by the British. The colonists reacted to this by being irritated at their Mother Country but dealt with paying it.

The Stamp Act

Mar 2, 1765

The Stamp Act says that the colonists will have to pay tax on every piece of printed paper they obtained, no matter its use. This act caused major tension between the colonists and Great Britain. They called it Taxation Without Representation. This act is a great cause of the future revolution. Because of this act, many people were imprisoned for not paying the tax. Their beliefs were that it wasn't a justifiable tax and that they shouldn't have to pay it.

The Quartering Act

Mar 25, 1765

This act was put into action in order for British Soldiers to have a place to stay at all times and to be treated with hospitality because otherwise they found places to stay such as abandoned barns and uninhabited houses. Many colonists were killed or imprisoned because of their "inability to cooperate and abide".

The Declaratory Act

Mar 18, 1766

This act was the change and repeal of the Sugar Act. This had to happen because the colonists boycott was hurting the British trade. This seemed to be a sign that more acts were coming though. Most colonists saw this as a political victory and celebrated this, but there were some that were upset by this. These people were smart enough to know that this wasn't the end of new acts be put in place.

The Townshend Act

May 15, 1767

This was actually a series of acts that taxed popular items such as glass, oil, paint, lead, paper, and tea. The colonists didn't expect this after the repeal of the sugar act. This series of acts anger the colonists greatly and also was a factor in why they had a revolution.

The Boston Massacre

Mar 5, 1770

On this day, a group of British soldiers come to support a sentry when civilians started to throw snowballs at them. This led to the soldiers opening fire on them and killing three of them. This showed the proof of the British tyranny and angered the colonists.

Withdrawal of Townshend Act

Apr 12, 1770

After the constant revolt of the colonists to the acts, the British decided to repeal the all of the Townshend Acts before it caused their government money because of no-one paying it.

The Boston Town Meeting

Nov 20, 1772

This meeting happened because the colonists believed that they should have more freedom and equality than they have now.

The Boston Tea Party

Dec 16, 1773

The Coercive Acts

Mar 31, 1774

These Act were put against the colonists in response to the Boston Tea Party taxing items and restricting trade.

First Continental Congress Meeting

Sep 5, 1774

This meeting was between twelve of the thirteen colonies discussing a revolt because of the Coercive Acts. This was in the early stages of the Revolution.