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Proclamation of 1763
- Banned colonists from settling west of the Appalachian Mountains to avoid fighting with Native Americans.
- Angry and frustrated. Many ignored the law and moved west anyway. Land speculators were very upset.
- Kept the law, but couldn't enforce it well. Used troops to try to control westward expansion.
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Sugar Act
- Lowered the tax on molasses but strictly enforced collection. Also taxed other imports like sugar, wine, and coffee.
- Protested, boycotted goods, and increased smuggling. Complained about "taxation without representation."
- Tightened customs enforcement. Ignored colonial complaints and continued to need revenue from the colonies.
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Stamp Act
- Imposed a direct tax on all printed materials (newspapers, licenses, legal documents, playing cards, etc.)
- Major protests erupted. Formed groups like the Sons of Liberty. Held the Stamp Act Congress.
- Revoked the Stamp Act in 1766 due to economic pressure from boycotts, but passed the Declaratory Act asserting Britain’s control.
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Quartering Act
- Required colonists to house and supply British troops stationed in the colonies.
- Felt their rights were violated. Many colonial groups refused to comply or fund it reluctantly.
- Insisted on the need for the troops and sometimes dissolved resistant groups.
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Townshend Acts
- Taxed imported goods like glass, paint, paper, and tea. Revenue was used to pay British officials in the colonies.
- Organized boycotts, wrote petitions, and increased tensions. Protest writings like the "Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania" spread.
- Sent more troops to enforce the laws. Eventually repealed most duties except the tax on tea to assert control.