The Townshend Acts were a series of laws passed by the British government on the American colonies in 1767. They placed new taxes and took away some freedoms from the colonists including the following: New taxes on imports of paper, paint, lead, glass, and tea.Established an American Customs Board in Boston to collect taxes.Set up new courts in America to prosecute smugglers (without using a local jury).Gave British officials the right to search colonists' houses and businesses.
