1. Taxation without Representation: One of the central grievances of the American colonists was the issue of taxation without representation. The British Parliament imposed various taxes on the colonies, such as the Stamp Act, the Sugar Act, and the Townshend Acts, without giving the colonists any say in the decision-making process. This lack of representation in matters that directly affected their finances and livelihood caused resentment and anger among the colonists.
2. Coercive Acts: In response to the Boston Tea Party and other acts of protest, the British Parliament passed a series of measures known as the Coercive Acts, also referred to as the Intolerable Acts. These acts included the Boston Port Act, which closed the port of Boston until the colonists paid for the tea destroyed in the Tea Party; the Massachusetts Government Act, which restricted the colony's self-governance; and the Quartering Act, which required colonists to provide food and lodging to British soldiers. The Coercive Acts further deepened the colonists' distrust and discontent towards British authority.
3. Quebec Act: Passed in 1774, the Quebec Act expanded the territory of Quebec and granted religious freedom to French Catholics in the region. This act also established a system of government for Quebec that did not include an elected assembly, which many colonists saw as a violation of their rights as British subjects. The Quebec Act was perceived as a threat to the political and religious liberties of the colonists and contributed to the growing discontent.
4. Proclamation of 1763: The Proclamation of 1763, issued by King George III after the French and Indian War, prohibited colonists from settling west of the Appalachian Mountains. This restriction on westward expansion angered many colonists, particularly those who had already begun settling in the Ohio River Valley and other frontier areas.
5. Declaratory Act: The Declaratory Act, passed in 1766, asserted Parliament's authority to make laws for the colonies "in all cases whatsoever." This act essentially negated any concessions made by the repeal of the Stamp Act in 1766 and reinforced Parliament's claim to absolute legislative authority over the colonies.
These actions by the British Parliament, along with other factors such as the presence of British troops and restrictions on trade, contributed to the growing sense of resistance and the desire for independence among the American colonists. The actions of Parliament played a critical role in shaping the events that led to the American Revolution and the establishment of the United States as an independent nation.