Acts/Laws Flashcards
Writs of Assistance
Legal documents that allowed British officials to search colonial homes & businesses for smuggled goods. Seen as a violation of colonial rights.
Sugar Act (1764)
A tax on sugar & molasses imported to the colonies. It was designed to raise money for Britain & stop smuggling.
Stamp Act of 1765
A tax on printed materials (newspaper, documents, playing cards, dice, almanacs). First direct tax on the colonies, causing widespread protests. (boycotts, repealed in 1766)
Declaratory Act (1766)
After repealing (taking back) the Stamp Act, Parliament declared it had the right to tax & make laws for the colonies “in all cases whatsoever.”
Townshend Act (1767)
A series of taxes on imported goods like glass, lead, paper, paint, & tea.
The revenue was used to pay British officials in the colonies, making them less dependent on colonial governments.
Tea Act (1773)
Allowed the British East India Company to sell tea directly to the colonies,bypassing colonial merchants and giving the company a monopoly.
Coercive Acts/ Intolerable Acts (1774)
Laws passed by Parliament to punish Massachusetts after the Boston Tea Party.
Boston Port Act (March 31, 1774)
Closed the Boston Harbor until the tea was paid for.
Quartering Act (May 15, 1765)
Allowed British troops to be housed in colonial homes.
Quebec Act (May 01, 1775)
Expanded Canadian territory into the Ohio River Valley, angering colonists. (Large amount of land given to Quebec, Canada)
Sixth Intolerable Act (May 13, 1774)
General Thomas Gage: Became the new governor of Massachusetts.
Unalienable Rights
Rights that cannot be taken away, such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. (from the Declaration of Independence)
Social Contract
The idea that people agree to form a government to protect their rights. If the government abuses power, citizens have the right to overthrow it.
