Major Laws
Imposed
by British
Government
Proclamation of 1763
Sugar Act of 1764
Quartering Act of 1765
Stamp Act of 1765
What the Law Said
British troops were stationed in
America to protect the British
empire. The law attempted to
restrict colonial settlement west of
a certain point in the Appalachian
Mountains.
Lowered the tax on molasses
imported by the Colonists. British
officers were allowed to seize
goods from smugglers without
going to court.
Required Colonists to provide food
and housing for the British troops
stationed in the colonies.
Tax stamps were required on items
such as newspaper, wills, cards,
dice, calendars, and most legal
documents. The Stamp Act was
repealed in 1766.
How the Colonists
Reacted
How did it lead to
the American
Revolution
Major Laws
Imposed
by British
Government
Townshend Act of
1767
Tea Act of 1773
Intolerable/Coercive
Act of 1774
What the Law Said
Approved the use of Writs of
Assistance. Did not allow
meetings of the New York
legislature until the Quartering Act
was obeyed. Placed import taxes
on paper, paint, glass, lead, and tea.
Provided that some of the revenue
(money) collected was to be used
to pay the salaries of British
officials and to prevent smuggling.
Lowered the tax on tea, but granted
the British owned East India
Company a monopoly, or complete
control, over the sale of tea.
Closed the port of Boston to trade
until payment was made for the tea
destroyed during the Boston Tea
Party. Directed that British
officials charged with serious
offenses in the line of duty would
be sent to England or another
colony for trial. Restricted the
holding of town meetings and
drastically reduced much of
Massachusetts self-government.
Forced Colonists to house British
troops.
How the Colonists
Reacted