1765

The Stamp Act met with unified colonial resistance because this direct tax imposed on the colonies by Parliament was a novel tax, meant to collect revenue. Numerous forms of communication—newspapers, almanacs, pamphlets, and other official documents—would need a stamp to circulate, so the tax imposed a heavy cost on the well-read colonists. 

1767

The Townshend Duties of 1767 taxed goods like lead, glass, paper, dye, and tea, imported into the colonies from England. Parliament tried to distinguish external from internal taxes, arguing that this small but vigorously enforced tax was not an act of interference on colonial assemblies. Parliament repealed the Townshend Duties but kept the tax on tea and then required the colonists to purchase tea from the East India Company, sparking the Boston Tea Party of 1773.

1774

The Intolerable Acts of 1774 followed the Boston Tea Party and were meant to isolate Massachusetts and compel obedience to Britain. Notable restrictions included: (1) Closed the Port of Boston; (2) Nullified the Massachusetts Charter; (3) Restricted town meetings; (4) Royal officials charged with capital offenses could remove their trial to Britain; (5) Ordered owners of private dwellings to accommodate British soldiers.