Final answer:
The Townshend Acts were a series of laws passed by the British Parliament in 1767 to impose taxes on imported goods in the American colonies. Parliament passed these acts to generate revenue and assert its authority over the colonies.
Step-by-step explanation:
Townshend Acts: A Brief Overview
The Townshend Acts were a series of laws passed by the British Parliament in 1767. These acts imposed taxes on various goods such as glass, lead, paint, paper, and tea, which were imported into the American colonies. The acts also established a commissioner and vice-admiralty courts to enforce the new taxes.
Reasons for the Passage of the Townshend Acts
Parliament passed the Townshend Acts as a means to generate revenue and assert its authority over the colonies. The British government was burdened with debt from the French and Indian War, and Charles Townshend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, proposed these acts as a way to raise funds for governing the American colonies. The acts were also seen as a way to assert control over colonial trade and maintain British authority.