The intolerable acts
Much tension procured prior to the great event of the American Revolution that occurred from 1765 to 1783. Colonists became very displeased with the British in their land because they wanted to break free and claim their land as their own and independent of the British Empire’s rule. The Boston Tea Party was an event that took place in December 1773 that thus led to the enactment of the five Intolerable Acts. British parliament became enraged with colonists after wasteful amounts of tea were thrown into the harbor in the act of rebellion. British parliament felt the need to punish colonists directly with four of the Intolerable Acts, but later adding a fifth act known as the Quebec Act. The British were determined to use these acts against the colonist to demine their rebellious ways and keep the colonist under their power by creating these laws. Instead of colonists complying with the British and their laws, colonist expressed that they felt that these laws were unconstitutional and a violation of their basic human rights that created a negative image of the British among the general public that set them to be a dominant supremacy against the colonists.
On June 1, 1774 British government enacted the Boston Port Act which restricted the any usage of the port of Boston. No goods were allowed to be shipped in or out of the port of Boston which thus lead to an increase in prices for basic needs. The British government enacted this law in hopes that colonists would pay back damages and loss from the Boston Tea Act. Colonists felt as though the entire colony of Boston was being patronized instead of the people who participated in the Boston Tea Party. This act brought feelings of total control over the people without the ability to speak on their defense.
Following the Boston Port Act was the Massachusetts Government Act that brought about more disturbances to the people of Massachusetts then the previous Boston Port Act. The Massachusetts Government Act reshaped the way Massachusetts carried out government affairs. Under the Massachusetts Government Act, all positions in the colonial government were reassigned to and appointed to only the governor, parliament, or king. As well as these new positions, Massachusetts town meetings were limited to only one meeting a year. This act brought fear to others that the British would also change their government against their will.
The administration of Justice Act brought about yet another inconvenience that toiled with the people of Massachusetts that instated the Royal Governor to order trials of accused officials to take place in Great Britain or any other place found appropriate for a rightful trial. This act brought about tension because the act stated that witnesses would be reimbursed for travel expenses but not entitled for the money loss due to the inability to work. This act was seen unnecessary and unjust.
The fourth act, the Quartering Act, which applied to all colonies, brought about tension and conflict directly into people’s homes/ The Quartering Act of 1765 stated that British soldiers were to be placed in people’s home when in need of lodging. Not only did colonist have to deal with these newly enacted laws within their community, but they also were imposed to follow British rule directly into their homes. This is also a contributing factor to the tension created during the American Revolution and brought about negative feelings from the colonists toward the British.
Another act that was unrelated to the first four came to be known as the Quebec Act. The Quebec act expanded its territory throughout what is known as Ontario, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, and parts of Minnesota. The Quebec Act made the practice of Catholicism free and it restored the Catholic Church's right to impose tithes. “In this legislation, Patriots now claimed they had concrete proof of the British government’s desire for absolute rule over its colonies, lending credence to their accusations that the British government was increasingly despotic.” Although the Quebec act was unrelated to the first fours, this act was passed in the same session of legislation. The Quebec act also made known of the power of the British among the thirteen colonies.
With these five acts known as the Intolerable Acts, it is seen and evident that the British government had the upper hand in the rule over the people in the colonies. The people who were imposed upon these acts saw them as a threat upon their liberties. Although the British tried to discipline the colonists, these acts further drew their hatred and rebellion.
Work Citied
"The Administration of Justice Act." Administration of Justice Act (01/02, 2009): 1.
"The Boston Port Act." Boston Port Act (01/02, 2009): 1.
Creviston, Vernon P. "'no King Unless it be a Constitutional King': Rethinking the Place of the Quebec Act in the Coming of the American Revolution." Historian 73.3 (2011): 463-79. Print.
"Massachusetts Government Act." Massachusetts Government Act (01/02, 2009): 1.
"Quartering Act of 1765." Quartering Act of 1765 (2009): 1-. Print.
Sosin, Jack M. "The Massachusetts Acts of 1774: Coercive Or Preventive?" Huntington Library Quarterly 26.3 (1963): 235-52. Print.