The destructive French & Indian War, the North American theater of the global Seven Years’ War, dramatically effected Great Britain’s treasury. In order to pay for war debts following the 1763 Treaty of Paris, Britain imposed several harsh regulations on the colonists. Had Britain not force these acts towards the colonists, the Revolution of 1775 may have never occurred.
Britain’s first notion towards taxation was the Sugar Act of 1764. Recommended by Prime Minister George Grenville, the Sugar Act was an indirect tax on sugar. The act was ratified during a time of economic depression for the Colonies, and while it was indiscreet, it angered many colonists. The goal of the Sugar Act was to raise money for the national debt and regulate trade with non-British traders, something the previous …show more content…
The act also required that ship captains keep detailed logs of the ships’ cargo manifest, and papers had to be verified by British officials before the cargo could be brought to port. The Sugar Act led to an increase in smuggling, as many colonial merchants feared that the tax would drive them out of business. In the end, the Sugar Act did not prove very successful, as it was repealed in 1766. However, it lit the spark for the powder keg of American independence.
The Stamp Act, introduced 1765, proved far more effective towards the colonists, much to their disdain. The tax was direct, and it required that all official documents be produced in London and be embossed with a revenue stamp. The Stamp Act affected legal documents such as wills and court papers, as well as newspapers, magazines, and playing cards. The British claimed the purpose of the tax was to pay for the protection of the Colonies. The tax drew immediate outcry, as the colonists felt it impeded on “their rights as Englishmen to be taxed without their consent”. This consent could only be granted with the approval of colonial legislatures. The Stamp Act was protested
Britain’s first notion towards taxation was the Sugar Act of 1764. Recommended by Prime Minister George Grenville, the Sugar Act was an indirect tax on sugar. The act was ratified during a time of economic depression for the Colonies, and while it was indiscreet, it angered many colonists. The goal of the Sugar Act was to raise money for the national debt and regulate trade with non-British traders, something the previous …show more content…
The act also required that ship captains keep detailed logs of the ships’ cargo manifest, and papers had to be verified by British officials before the cargo could be brought to port. The Sugar Act led to an increase in smuggling, as many colonial merchants feared that the tax would drive them out of business. In the end, the Sugar Act did not prove very successful, as it was repealed in 1766. However, it lit the spark for the powder keg of American independence.
The Stamp Act, introduced 1765, proved far more effective towards the colonists, much to their disdain. The tax was direct, and it required that all official documents be produced in London and be embossed with a revenue stamp. The Stamp Act affected legal documents such as wills and court papers, as well as newspapers, magazines, and playing cards. The British claimed the purpose of the tax was to pay for the protection of the Colonies. The tax drew immediate outcry, as the colonists felt it impeded on “their rights as Englishmen to be taxed without their consent”. This consent could only be granted with the approval of colonial legislatures. The Stamp Act was protested