The Quartering Act Was Passed in 1765

On March 24, 1765 British Parliament created the first Quartering Act. This act eventually led to the 3rd Amendment. Schools everywhere, including my classroom, has taught students that the thrid amendment was created by the Colonists because they feared that the British could and would kick out Americans from their homes and eat all of their food.

But, it turns out, the British troops rarely took over private homes during its occupation of the Americas. That's because the English Bill of Rights did not allow people from having redcoats stay at their home. In fact, standing armies were not allowed in England during peacetime.

The Quartering Act did not allow the British soldiers to take over private homes but it did require Colonists to build barracks for soldiers and if there wasn’t enough room in the barracks, housing was extended to “inns, livery stables, ale houses, victualling houses, and the houses of sellers of wine.” And if there wasn’t enough room in the taverns, the Colonies were forced to provide lodging in “uninhabited houses, out-houses, barns, or other buildings.”

At first the Colonists were afraid British soldiers would want to take over people's homes but Colonists quickly realized they would be PAYING to quarter troops. If you recall, there were so many different taxes that the colonists had to pay it felt as if it was just ONE MORE TAX.