Taxation, the Acts, and Protests Road to the Revolution Taxation, the Acts, and Protests

The Sugar Act of 1764 Proposed by PM George Grenville Lowered the taxes on sugar and molasses to prevent smuggling. Let officers seize goods from smugglers without going to court. Angered Colonists who thought their rights as Englishmen were being violated.

The Stamp Act of 1765 Taxed all printed material in the colonies (newspapers, pamphlets, legal documents, playing cards, etc.). Protested widely throughout the colonies. Samuel Adams formed the Sons of Liberty in Boston. They burned effigies representing tax collectors. Patrick Henry proposed a resolution in the Virginia House of Burgesses. The Stamp Act Congress sent a petition to the King and Parliament declaring that they could not be taxed, and urged merchants to boycott British goods.

Quartering Act of 1765 Forced the colonists to pay for lodging , food, and drink for British soldiers.

Declaratory Act of 1766 Passed on the same day the Stamp Act was repealed. Stated that Britain had the right to tax and make decisions for the colonies in all cases.

The Townshend Acts of 1767 Taxed all imported goods from England including many household items (glass, tea, paper, and lead). Merchants had to pay the tax. Did not directly tax the colonists. Protests were even more widespread than the Stamp Act. (Daughters of Liberty)

The Boston Massacre March 5th 1770 Started as an argument between colonists and British Soldiers (Redcoats) British soldiers fired on the angry, unarmed crowd. 5 colonists died including Crispus Attucks. Colonial leaders used this as propaganda against the British.

The Tea Act of 1773 Gave the British East India Company the right to ship tea to the colonies without paying taxes on it.

Boston Tea Party A response to the Tea Act. On December 16th, 1773 men disguised as Mohawks dumped 342 crates of tea into Boston Harbor.

Coercive Acts of 1774 Also known as the Intolerable Acts with the Quebec Act. Passed as punishment for the people of Massachusetts for their protests. Closed Boston Harbor Banned town meetings. British soldiers were to be tried in another colony or Britain when accused of crimes.

Quebec Act Gave Quebec the area west of the Appalachian Mountains, north of the Ohio River. Gave French Catholics religious freedom.