The British Acts 1651-1783 Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What were the Navigation Acts designed to control?

Colonial agriculture

Trade between England and its colonies (correct)

Trade between England and France

Military alliances

What was the purpose of the Molasses Acts?

To organize smuggling and protect sugar plantations

The French and Indian War was fought between Britain and Spain.

False

What was the main goal of the Albany Congress?

To secure support from the Iroquois against the French Signup and view all the answers

What did the Proclamation Act of 1763 prohibit?

Settlement past the Appalachian Mountains Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the Sugar Act?

To pay for the French and Indian War Signup and view all the answers

What did the Currency Act regulate?

Paper money issued by the colonies Signup and view all the answers

What was the Stamp Act of 1765?

A tax on pamphlets and newspapers Signup and view all the answers

The Quartering Act was passed with the agreement of the colonists.

False Signup and view all the answers

What did the Declaratory Act of 1766 allow authorities to do?

Tax whomever they wanted for any reason Signup and view all the answers

What year was the Townshend Revenue Act enacted?

1767 Signup and view all the answers

What significant event happened on March 5, 1770?

The Boston Massacre Signup and view all the answers

What was the main purpose of the Tea Act of 1773?

To assist the East India Company Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Enacted in October 1651 by the English Parliament to regulate trade between England and its colonies.
Aimed primarily at controlling imports and exports, limiting colonial trade with nations like the Netherlands, Spain, and France.
Tensions heightened between the Commonwealth and the United Provinces due to these restrictions.

Molasses Acts (1733)

Instituted by the British Parliament to manage smuggling in the New England colonies.
Designed to protect sugar plantations and limit colonial trade with non-British countries, primarily France.
British producers argued that the West Indies could sufficiently supply the colonies, leading to the imposition of a tax on foreign molasses.

French and Indian War (1754-1763)

Conflict between British America colonies and New France, supported by military units from Great Britain and France.
The war predominantly fought along the frontier from Virginia to Nova Scotia.
The French had about 60,000 settlers compared to 2 million in British North America, reflecting significant demographic differences.

Albany Congress (1754)

Convened to gain Iroquois support against the French during the upcoming conflicts.
Marked an early attempt for colonial unity in response to common threats.

Proclamation Act of 1763

Issued on October 7, 1763, by King George III post-French and Indian War, limiting settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains.
Aimed to prevent conflicts between colonists and Native Americans on newly acquired territories.

Sugar Act (1764)

Passed by Parliament as a response to debt from the French and Indian War.
Increased duties on imported goods, including sugar, textiles, coffee, wines, and indigo, to raise revenue for colonial administration.

Currency Act (1764)

Part of a series of legislative measures regulating paper money issued by the American colonies.
Intended to protect British merchants and creditors from depreciation of colonial currency.

Stamp Act (1765)

Imposed direct taxes on colonial newspapers, pamphlets, and other printed materials starting March 22, 1765.
Proceeds were allocated to fund colonial military defenses, evoking significant colonial opposition and boycotts.

Quartering Act (1765)

Enacted June 2, 1765, without colonial consent, requiring colonists to house and supply British troops.
Seen as an infringement on colonial rights and autonomy.

Declaratory Act (1766)

Established the authority of Parliament to impose taxes on the colonies for any reason.
Aimed to assert British control following the repeal of the Stamp Act.

Townshend Revenue Act (1767)

Enacted in 1767, it placed duties on essential goods like lead, glass, paper, tea, and paints, which the colonies could not produce themselves.
Viewed by colonists as an overreach of British power, inciting further unrest.

Boston Massacre (1770)

Occurred on March 5, 1770, resulting in the killing of several colonists during a confrontation with British soldiers.
Sparked outrage and propaganda efforts by patriots to galvanize public sentiment against British rule.

Tea Act (1773)

Passed on March 10, 1773, with the intent of aiding the financially struggling East India Company rather than imposing new taxes.
Led to unexpected colonial backlash, highlighting tensions over taxation and representation.

Description

Test your knowledge of the British Acts from 1651 to 1783 with these flashcards. Each card highlights key legislation, including the Navigation Acts, and their impact on trade and colonial policies. Perfect for students of history and those interested in British colonial dynamics.