The Townshend Acts were passed by the British Parliament in the summer of 1767, mainly between June 15 and July 2, 1767, and were set to take effect later that year on November 20, 1767.

Quick Scoop: What and when

  • The phrase “Townshend Acts” refers to a series of laws, not just one single act.
  • Parliament approved these measures in mid‑June to early July 1767, during the reign of King George III.
  • The key revenue provisions (taxes on imports like glass, lead, paper, and tea) were designed to begin from November 20, 1767.

Why this date matters

  • These acts followed the repeal of the unpopular Stamp Act and were a new attempt to raise money from the American colonies.
  • The Townshend duties and related enforcement laws helped fuel colonial protests and boycotts that pushed tensions toward the American Revolution.

In short, if you’re answering “when was the Townshend Act,” the historically accurate classroom-style answer is: 1767, passed in June–July and taking effect in November 1767.

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