Charles Townshend was the head of the treasury in Great Britain. He wanted to see Britain take more control over its colonies. After the Stamp Act protests, many including the British Prime Minister, William Pitt, did not want to pass more tax laws. Townshend, however, felt differently. When Pitt became very sick, Townshend began pushing his ideas through Parliament. These became known as the Townshend Acts, which consisted of three acts. The acts, much like the Stamp Act before, was designed to make money for Great Britain. The Revenue Act of 1767 put a tax on imported lead, glass, paints and tea. The other Townshend Acts (Suspension of the New York Assembly Act and the Board of Customs Act) focused on making sure the Revenue Act was as effective as possible. They tried to take more direct control over New York and Boston and created new Vice Admiralty courts in Boston, Philadelphia and Charleston.

Townshend did not believe the colonists would reject the import duties like they had rejected the Stamp Act. He felt this way because the new duties were considered external taxes (colonists would only be taxed if they purchased the imported items). However, the colonies immediately protested the Townshend duties. They were more prepared for protest because of the Stamp Act, and used similar strategies. Mainly, the colonists focused on resisting the Revenue Act. Several colonies did this by signing non-importation agreements. This meant that they agreed not to allow British merchants to sell goods that would be taxed.

Although the reaction over Townshend duties was not as violent as the mob protests over the Stamp Act, the colonists again succeeded in their petitions. Parliament moved in March of 1770 to repeal most of the Townshend Acts. The American merchants began trading again with British merchants. However, they left the tax on tea to assert their power. There was still a growing presence of British soldiers in several major port cities. This decision would cause more problems down the line, including events such as the Boston Massacre and eventually, the American Revolution.

Student Inquiry

1. What are some reasons you think the tea tax remained, while the other taxes were repealed?
2. Do you think the colonists were willing to still pay the tea tax? Why or why not?
3. What are some ways the colonists could get around the tax on tea?

Next: The Boston Massacre