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Proclamation of 1763
With battle in the Ohio River Valley between the Pontiac's troops and the British, King George III forbade settlement past a line drawn along the Appalachian Mountains. This bothered the colonists because they had given up the most during the 7 years war and that they had earned the right to settle on the land they had captured. -
Sugar Act of 1764
The Sugar Act was an updated version of the Molasses Act of 1733. It was passed a revenue-raising act passed by the British Parliament. It increased the duty on foreign sugar imported from the West Indies. After protests, the duties were lowered substantially. -
Stamp Act of 1765
It was a stano tax, to raise revenues to support the new military force. The Stamp Act mandated the use of stamped paper of the affixing of stamps, certifying payment of tax. The colonists felt that Greenville was striking at the local liberties they had come to assume as a matter of right, -
The Declaratory Act
The Declaratory act was issued by Parliament declaring that London still ruled over the American colonies and it reaffirmed the Parliament's right to bind colonies in all cases whatsoever. This act foreshadowed more acts and conflicts to come. -
Townshend Acts
The Townshend Acts taxed imported things such as paper, lead, paint, and tea. These were indirect taxes meaning the tax was hidden in the price of the good. The colonists were bothered by the principle of the tax and smugglers found a way around it. -
Boston Massacre
A colonial crowd of 60 were taunting and threatening about 10 British redcoats. The British soldiers opened fire, killing or wounding 11 colonists. Crispus Attucks was one of the first to die. He became a symbol and rallying cry for freedom. -
Boston Tea Party
Samuel Adams and other protestors dressed as Indians went to the harbor in Boston and threw 342 chests of tea overboard. The reaction was mixed as the patriotic types cheered and the conservatives criticized the actions of the protestors. -
Intolerable Acts of 1774
The Intolerable Acts were passed by the British to punish America, especially Boston. The Boston harbor was shut down and the Massachusetts charter was revoked. -
The Quebec Act
The Quebec Act was a good law in bad company. The French were guaranteed their Catholic religion and they were allowed to retain many of their old customs and institutions. Each part of the act had a reason that the Americans disliked it. -
The First Continental Congress
The First Continental Congress met in Philadelphia from September to October of 1774. 12 of the 13 colonies were present. They drew up a list of grievances and wrote a declaration of rights. They decided that if the situation didn't change, they would meet again a year later.
