Declaration Of Indepenacne

Declaration of Independence

Sugar Act – The British placed a tax on sugar, wine, and other important items and called it the Sugar Act. British did this because they wanted more money to provide security for the colonies. This act was to raise indirect taxes which can be both import or export taxes. Ship captains were required to give detailed lists of their cargo and those lists were to be checked before anything in the ships were unloaded. Any violators that try to smuggle in goods were tried in vice admiralty courts rather than by jury trials that are located in the local colonial courts. The disadvantage of this would be juries generally thought that smuggling was a profession and would rule in their favor. Instead, the violator must travel to wherever the special court is to defend himself and is only tried by one person, the judge, instead of a jury. If the judge ruled that you were guilty then he received five percent of the smuggled goods that you brought in. It is stated in the Declaration of Independence, “For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury.” Colonists were upset with this act because Trial by Jury protected their rights against the government. I agree with the Colonist, I feel as if Trial by Jury would be the best way for the courts even if the jury is your neighbors or not. The judge will of course rule in his own favor so that he may receive the goods for himself or his family.

Stamp Act- This Act was passed by the British Parliament on March 22. 1765. Since the Sugar Act would defray only part of the cost to defend and protect the American frontier near the Appalachian Mountains, George Greenville purposed another measure to raise money in America. The new tax was imposed on all American colonists and required them to pay a tax on every piece of printed paper they used. Newspapers, pamphlets, almanacs, bonds, licenses, deeds, legal documents, college diplomas, ship clearances, and even playing cards...