Stamp Act
The stamp act was among the many legal changes that caused the American colonies to revolt against the British. Introduced in 1765, it required most printed materials used within the colonies to be stamped with an official seal. This included both important papers such as legal documents are everyday items, including newspapers, magazines and even playing cards (“List of British acts on colonial America”). Furthermore, Colonists had to pay in British currency in order to acquire the stamp, retroactively invalidating their own currency. This change was seen as an attempt at direct taxation, one that was introduced due to the British Empire’s desperate need of funds. The money acquired from stamp purchases went to supply British soldiers stationed in the colonies.
However, the American Colonists did not want to pay extra for necessities such as paper, and did not see the protection of the crown as necessary. In addition, this attempt at taxation did not ask for consent from the Colonists, which went against their rights as British people. The response to the act included protests, petitions and widespread newspaper coverage.
Townshend Act
The Townshend Act, comparatively, consisted of a number of different acts, all of which were focused on taxing America and limiting its political power. This included efforts to limit New York’s decision-making and legislative power, force Colonies into complying with the previously established Quartering Act, introduce taxation on many household items and create measures of punishing those that break the law (“List of British acts on colonial America”). As a whole, this legislation was another British attempt to reinforce its influence over the Colonies and reap significant profits. Much like other acts discussed, it caused considerable unrest in the British America, including merchant economic boycotts, written and published letters critical of the act, and Boston-based protests.
Declaratory Act
Was an act of the parliament that was passed immediately after the repeal of the Stamp Act. Despite widespread civil unrest in the colonies, the British did not want to recognize the autonomy and authority of the British America, instead focusing their efforts on establishing their control over it. After the widely unpopular Stamp Act was called off, and a similarly controversial Sugar Act got adjusted, the British government introduced the Declaratory Act. Introduced in 1766, it reinforced the authority of the British Parliament over the colonies, and established its right to legally bind Colonial people (“List of British acts on colonial America”). This went against the wishes and ideas expressed in the British America, that believed the tightening control of the British Government was infringing on their rights and freedoms. Britain did not provide the colonies with adequate assistance, instead focusing its efforts on taxation and the limiting of Colonial power. Those that lived and worked in the colonies wanted to feel in change of their own lives, capable of enacting legislation for their own benefit. The presence of an outside power, capable of influencing British Americans went against their wishes and ideals. The reaction to the Declaratory Act was comparatively mild, as many Americans were too occupied by celebrating the repeal of the much more unpopular stamp act. Those that noticed this piece of legislation, however, widely criticized it.
Tea Act
The main purposes of the Tea Act of 1773 were to cut down illegal tea sales and bolster the position of the British East India Company. By allowing the organization an exclusive right to sell tea cheaply in the colonies, Britain crippled any illegal and independent sales channels (“List of British acts on colonial America”). Despite the potential positive impacts of reduced tea price, Colonial residents recognized its potential to hurt their capacity to sell goods separate from the crown, and did not want to encourage British Tea Monopoly. The reaction to the 1773’s tea act is the famous Boston Tea Party – an act of protest to the legislation introduced by Britain.