Sugar and Currency Acts (circa
1764)
The Sugar Act (Revenue Act) revised the existing system of customs regulations and laid new duties on certain
foreign imports into the colonies
The Currency Act effectively
outlawed colonial issues of paper money.
Stamp Act (circa
1765)
Based on laws established in England for more than a century, the Stamp act forced anyone who purchased printed materials to pay a tax. Anyone who purchased a
newspaper or pamphlet, made a will, transferred land, bought
dice or playing cards, needed a liquor license, accepted a
government appointment, or borrowed money would be forced to pay the tax.
This was the first non-regulatory tax put on the
American Colonies, and was met with much resistance.
Townshend Acts (circa
1767)
The Townshend Acts replaced the repealed Stamp Act and put a broader tax on goods. The tax was levied on items imported into colonies from
Britain, and they were designed to raise the salaries of
royal officials in the colonies.
Tea Act (circa
1773)
The Tea Act enabled the East India Tea Company to sell Tea to the American Colonies at a lower price because tax paid on other tea would be kicked back to them. The Act was an attempt to establish a monopoly on tea by the British owned company, and resulted in the infamous
Boston Tea PartyFor more historical fun, see Civil Rights Rulings (Circa 1960's)