Here in the United States of America, we are used to having to pay sales taxes on all varieties of merchandise. We're also used to having to pay fees whenever we file any sorts of legal documents. The Stamp Act, which was passed 22 March 1765, was the first direct tax on the American colonies. Once it was enacted in November of that same year, all kinds of printed matter was subject to … [Read more...] about The Stamp Act (1765) – The first direct tax on the American colonies
RevWar
The Currency Act (1764) – The ugly, old cousin of the Federal Reserve Act
The Currency Act of 1764, along with its earlier iteration, the Currency Act of 1751 (which applied only to New England), in essence, prohibited the colonies from issuing their own paper currency as "legal tender." This created a problem for colonists because there were no gold or silver mines in the New World and approved currency (silver and gold coins) could only come from proper trade as … [Read more...] about The Currency Act (1764) – The ugly, old cousin of the Federal Reserve Act
The Sugar Act (1764) – Why did a law that reduced an earlier tax end up outraging colonists?
The Sugar Act of 1764 was the first law enacted after the French and Indian War intended to help restock Great Britain's coffers. It was passed 5 April 1764 and went into effect 29 September 1764. It was an update to the Molasses Act of 1733, which charged a six pence per gallon tax on any molasses imported from non-British colonies. The Sugar Act reduced the tax on molasses from six pence … [Read more...] about The Sugar Act (1764) – Why did a law that reduced an earlier tax end up outraging colonists?
What started the American Revolution?
How does the end of one war ultimately lead to the start of another? Surprisingly, or maybe not so surprisingly, it's a lot easier than you might think. Take for example the French and Indian War. It was was actually just the American regional flavor of the worldwide Seven Years War, which was waged from 1754-1763. (Yes, the Seven Years War lasted nine years, not seven years—because most heated … [Read more...] about What started the American Revolution?