AP US History in 1 Minute Daily: The Townshend Acts (Day 40/309)

Welcome to today’s explanation of Townshend Acts in my series- APUSH in 1 Minute Daily!

Charles Townshend, Britannica

With the repeal of the Stamp Act in 1766, the British hadn’t solved their economic problems. So, in 1767, they passed a new series of laws called the Townshend Acts, named for their chief financial minister.

Townshend Acts, Britannica

The primary goal was to raise revenue to help pay for the expenses of maintaining British troops in North America and to assert British control over colonial trade. The acts included taxes on tea, glass, and paper, provided for the search of colonists’ property, and suspended New York’s assembly.

Non-Importation Agreement, 1767 Wikimedia Commons

American colonists reacted with a new set of protests, boycotts, and opposition especially to the new taxes. They argued that colonial consent was necessary for Parliament to levy taxes.

A view of the Town of Boston in New England and British ships of war landing their troops, 1768 Wikimedia Commons

As tensions between the colonies and Britain increased, the British prime minister urged their repeal. The acts were revoked in 1770 but a small tax on tea was retained and more troops were sent as a symbol of Parliament’s sovereignty.

The Townshend Acts were passed to raise revenue and assert control over the colonies. They included new taxes as well as the ability for British officials to search colonist’s property and resulted in widespread protests in the colonies.

Join me tomorrow as I explain the Boston Massacre in our next APUSH in 1 Minute Daily!