The Townshend Acts, enacted by the British Parliament in 1767, imposed duties on various imported goods such as tea, glass, lead, paper, and paint. These measures were designed to raise revenue from the American colonies to cover the expenses of administering the colonies and enforcing trade regulations. Colonial reaction to these acts encompassed a range of protest and resistance strategies.
The colonial opposition stemmed from the belief that these duties constituted taxation without representation, a violation of fundamental English rights. Previous acts, like the Stamp Act, had generated significant resistance, and the Townshend Acts reignited these sentiments. The colonists viewed the acts as an attempt to undermine their economic autonomy and exert greater control from London. The perceived injustices provided fertile ground for growing discontent and contributed significantly towards the burgeoning revolutionary movement.
