Acts n Compromises Quiz

Act of Toleration

granted freedom of worship to all Christians in Maryland (1649) - early step toward religious freedom in America

Molasses Act

taxed imported molasses from non-British colonies (1733) - caused widespread smuggling and colonial resentment

Sugar Act

lowered molasses tax but enforced anti-smuggling laws to raise revenue (1764) - first tax meant to raise money for Britain, angered colonists

Stamp Act

required tax stamps on paper goods and documents (1765) - led to protests and "no taxation without representation"

Quartering Act

forced colonists to house and supply British soldiers (1765) - increased distrust between colonists and Britain

Mutiny Act

required colonies to help supply and maintain British troops (1765) - seen as another attempt to control the colonies

Declaratory Act

stated Parliament could make laws for the colonies "in all cases" (1766) - showed Britain's refusal to give up authority

Townshend Acts

taxed imports like glass, tea, paper, and paint (1767) - sparked boycotts and tension before the Revolution

Quebec Act

expanded Quebec and allowed religious freedom for Catholics (1774) - angered colonists who feared loss of land and religious control

Coercive Acts (Intolerable Acts)

punished Massachusetts for the Boston Tea Party by closing Boston Harbor and limiting self-government (1774) - united colonies against Britain

Massachusetts Government Act

took away Massachusetts' self-rule and placed it under royal control (1774) - reduced colonial independence and fueled rebellion

Judiciary Act

created the federal court system and Supreme Court (1789) - established the structure of the U.S. judicial branch

Naturalization Act

increased years for immigrants to become citizens from 5 to 14 (1798) - limited immigrant influence in politics

Alien Act

let the president deport or jail non-citizens seen as threats (1798) - gave the government more power over immigrants

Sedition Act

made it illegal to criticize the government or its officials (1798) - violated free speech and angered Jefferson's supporters

3/5 Compromise

counted each enslaved person as three-fifths of a person for representation and taxes (1787) - gave southern states more political power

Presidency Compromise

set a four-year term and created the Electoral College to elect the president (1787) - balanced power between large and small states in elections

Commerce Compromise

allowed Congress to tax imports but not exports and delayed decisions on the slave trade for 20 years (1787) - balanced northern and southern economic interests

Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise)

combined the Virginia and New Jersey Plans to form a two-house Congress—Senate with equal representation and House based on population (1787) - created the system still used in Congress today

Virginia Plan

proposed a two-house legislature with representation based on state population (1787) - favored large states

New Jersey Plan

proposed a one-house legislature with equal representation for all states (1787) - favored small states