Colonists were mad at the Townshend Act because the Townshend Acts took away a couple rights of freedom, and made the colonists pay even more taxes on everyday products like paint, glass, and tea. Following the Seven Years' War (1756–1763), the British government was deep in debt. Townshend also faced the problem of what to do about the New York Provincial Assembly, which had refused to comply with the 1765 Quartering Act because its members saw the act's financial provisions as levying an unconstitutional tax. However, the import duty on tea was retained in order to demonstrate to the colonists that Parliament held the sovereign authority to tax its colonies, in accordance with the Declaratory Act of 1766. Also known as the New York Suspending Act; Knollenberg. [62] The boycott movement began to fail by 1770, and came to an end in 1771. According to historian John C. Miller, "Townshend ingeniously sought to take money from Americans by means of parliamentary taxation and to employ it against their liberties by making colonial governors and judges independent of the assemblies. American resentment, corrupt British officials, and abusive enforcement spurred colonial attacks on British ships, including the burning of the Gaspee in 1772. Charles Townshend Why did the British make these laws? By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. "The Townshend Acts of 1767.". Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. But with the Sugar Act of 1764, Parliament sought, for the first time, to tax the colonies for the specific purpose of raising revenue. [6] This issue, only briefly debated following the Sugar Act, became a major point of contention after Parliament's passage of the Stamp Act 1765. The Assembly avoided conceding the right of Parliament to tax the colonies by making no reference to the Quartering Act when appropriating this money; they also passed a resolution stating that Parliament could not constitutionally suspend an elected legislature. The Grafton ministry adopted an energetic American policy, thanks in part to Townshend, who pushed through Parliament in the spring of 1767 his famous duties on tea, glass, lead, and papers. [61], The non-importation movement was not as effective as promoters had hoped. [52] Dickinson warned colonists not to concede to the taxes just because the rates were low, since this would set a dangerous precedent. In 1767, British Parliament passed on the Townshend acts. It lowered commercial duties on tea imported to England by the East India Company and gave the company a refund of the duty for tea that was then exported to the colonies. This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/event/Townshend-Acts, Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum - Townshend Acts, United States History - The Townshend Acts, Townshend Acts - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11), Townshend Acts - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up), public acknowledgement of nonimportation agreement violation. Historian Robert Chaffin argued that little had actually changed: It would be inaccurate to claim that a major part of the Townshend Acts had been repealed. [60] In Virginia, the non-importation effort was organized by George Washington and George Mason. 46; Knollenberg. "The Townshend Acts crisis, 1767–1770". [54] The Massachusetts House of Representatives began a campaign against the Townshend Acts by first sending a petition to King George asking for the repeal of the Revenue Act, and then sending a letter to the other colonial assemblies, asking them to join the resistance movement. Once the new Customs Board was in operation, enforcement increased, leading to confrontation with smuggling colonists. Townshend Duty Act. However, New York reluctantly agreed to pay for at least some of the soldiers' needs as they understood they were going to be punished by Parliament unless they acted. Also on March 5, Townshend’s successor (he had died soon after proposing the hated act), Lord Frederick North, asked Parliament to repeal the Townshend Acts except for … In 1767, Parliament again exercised its right to legislate for the colonies when it passed the Townshend Acts.
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