Taxation and Colonial Resistance

This set of flashcards covers key concepts related to taxation issues and colonial responses, including significant acts and events leading up to the American Revolution.

Sugar Act of 1764

A law that lowered the existing tax on molasses but imposed new taxes on non-British sugar, wine, linen, and silk, and increased enforcement of taxes.

What year did the sugar act occur?

1764

What did the Sugar Act of 1764 accomplish?

It increased enforcement of the tax collection on non-British goods and reduced the tax rate on molasses to discourage smuggling.

What were the 3 goals of the Sugar Act of 1764?

1. end smuggling
   2. raise money to pay for the defense of the colonies
   3. encourage colonists to buy goods from British colonies

Stamp Act of 1765

The first direct tax on the American colonies, taxing almost all printed materials like legal documents, newspapers, and playing cards.

What year did the Stamp Act occur?

1765

Stamp Act Congress

Representatives from nine colonies declared that only colonial assemblies could tax “Taxation without representation”

Townshend Acts of 1767

A series of acts that taxed specific goods imported from Britain, leading to protests and British troops being sent to Boston.

When did the Townshend Acts occur?

1767

What followed the Townshend Acts (1767)

boycotts and protests; where British troops were sent to Boston (1768) to restore order and heightened tensions leading to the Boston Massacre in 1770.

Boston Massacre of 1770

An incident where British soldiers killed five colonists during a confrontation with a mob in Boston.

All of the Townshend taxes were repealed the same day as the Boston Massacre, except for which tax?

tax on tea

Boston Tea Party

A protest by the Sons of Liberty in 1773 where they dumped British East India Company tea into Boston Harbor to oppose the Tea Act.

Tea Act (1773)

A British law designed to help the struggling British East India Company by allowing it to sell tea directly to the colonies, undermining colonial merchants and fueling resentment among colonists.

When did the Tea Act occur?

1773

Boston Tea Party (1773)

A political protest by the Sons of Liberty in which they famously dumped tea into Boston Harbor in opposition to British taxation without representation.

When did the Boston Tea Party occur?

1773

Intolerable Acts of 1774

A series of four acts intended to punish Massachusetts for the Boston Tea Party, closing Boston's ports and taking away self-governing rights.

Taxation without Representation

The colonial principle stating that it was unfair to tax colonists without their consent through elected representatives.

Boycott

Refusal to buy certain goods as a form of protest against taxation and British policies.

Sons of Liberty

A group of colonists who protested against British policies and were instrumental in events like the Boston Tea Party.

Stamp Act Congress of 1765

A meeting of representatives from nine colonies who declared that only colonial assemblies had the right to tax.

repeal

to revoke or annul a law or act, typically in response to public pressure or protest