Changes

== Conflict Increases ==

== Conflict Increases ==

The first true crisis began around 1763 when Parliament allocated money to maintain a standing army in the colonies.  At first, this change did not arouse much anger, since there was already a British army in America.  But conflicts began when Grenville (referenced above) gave naval officers the authority to enforce customs regulations.  More than 1500 ships began to patrol American waters.  This new vigilance on Britain's part was early evidence of her changing relationship to her colonies, foreshadowing the greater tension to come.

The first true crisis began around 1763 when Parliament allocated money to maintain a standing army in the colonies.  At first, this change did not arouse much anger, because there was already a British army in America.  But conflicts began when the British Prime Minister Grenville gave naval officers the authority to enforce customs regulations.  More than 1500 ships began to patrol American waters.  This new vigilance on Britain's part was early evidence of her changing relationship with her colonies, foreshadowing the greater tension to come.

Grenville wanted the colonies to pay their share of the war costs, so he started burdening colonists by strictly enforcing taxes.  The era of [[salutary neglect]] was over, and colonists did not like sending their hard-earned money to Britain.

Grenville wanted the colonies to pay their share of the war costs, so he started burdening colonists by strictly enforcing taxes.  The era of [[salutary neglect]] was over, and colonists did not like sending their hard-earned money to Britain.

The first of these tax burdens was the Sugar Act.  As its name suggests, this act imposed taxes on sugar, but it also imposed additional burdens.  The Sugar Act placed stricter regulations on all shipping, stopped the colonies from importing rum, and lowered molasses tariffs that had been benefiting the colonies.  The British made no secret of the fact that the purpose of the Sugar Act was to impose more taxes: "Whereas it is expedient that new provisions and regulations should be established for improving the revenue of this kingdom ...: and whereas it is just and necessary that a revenue be raised in you majesty's said dominions in America, for defraying the expenses of defending, protecting, and securing the same; we ... have resolved to give and grant unto your majesty the several rates and duties herein after mentioned."

The first of these tax burdens was the Sugar Act.  As its name suggests, this act imposed taxes on sugar, but it also imposed additional burdens.  The Sugar Act placed stricter regulations on all shipping, stopped the colonies from importing rum (alcohol made from sugar), and lowered molasses tariffs which had been benefiting the colonies.  The British made no secret of the fact that the purpose of the Sugar Act was to impose more taxes: "Whereas it is expedient that new provisions and regulations should be established for improving the revenue of this kingdom ...: and whereas it is just and necessary that a revenue be raised in you majesty's said dominions in America, for defraying the expenses of defending, protecting, and securing the same; we ... have resolved to give and grant unto your majesty the several rates and duties herein after mentioned."

Grenville viewed the colonies as subservient to him.  Grenville humiliated the colonists with legal intrusions.  He violated ancient rights by authorizing writs of assistance to search businesses without a court order or warrant.

Grenville viewed the colonies as subservient to him as the British Prime Minister.  Grenville humiliated the colonists with legal intrusions.  He violated ancient rights by authorizing writs of assistance to search businesses without a court order or warrant.

Colonists disliked these events, but only with the passage of the [[Stamp Act]] did they become truly angry.  The Stamp Act was an undisguised attempt to bring the British more money, the first time Parliament directly taxed the colonies.  It required that legal papers, cards, dice, newspapers, degrees, land documents, and appointments to office display a stamp showing that the tax had been paid.  Subtly, the British were suppressing vocal writers and lawyers by making their professions more costly.  The public, and especially the media, was outraged.   

Colonists disliked these events, but only with the passage of the [[Stamp Act]] did they become truly angry.  The Stamp Act was an undisguised attempt to bring the British more money, the first time Parliament directly taxed the colonies.  It required that legal papers, cards, dice, newspapers, degrees, land documents, and appointments to office display a stamp showing that the tax had been paid.  Subtly, the British were suppressing vocal writers and lawyers by making their professions more costly.  The public, and especially the media, was outraged.   

A few months later, Britain passed the Quartering Act.  The Quartering Act required colonial governments to house British troops at their own expense.  The troops were to be housed in inns, abandoned homes, and government buildings.  The Act mandated that "all such officers and soldiers ... be furnished and supplied ... with fire, candles, vinegar, and salt, bedding, utensils ... without paying anything for the same."

A few months later, Britain passed the Quartering Act.  The Quartering Act required colonial governments to house British troops at their own expense.  The troops were to be housed in inns, abandoned homes, and government buildings.  The Act mandated that "all such officers and soldiers ... be furnished and supplied ... with fire, candles, vinegar, and salt, bedding, utensils ... without paying anything for the same."

Anger by the colonists against the King, which existed before the Stamp Act and Quartering Act, rose to a fever pitch.  The colonists held to a strong argument against England's oppression:  taxation without representation.  The colonists pointed out that they were not represented in British Parliament when these taxes were passed.  The colonies could not elect anyone who was making these decisions.  The colonists had no "say" in the matter.  The British leaders responded by saying the colonists had "virtual" representation by Englishmen who were looking out for them.  Nonsense, the colonists said, adequate representation was impossible because England was so far away.

Anger by the colonists against the King, which existed before the Stamp Act and Quartering Act, rose to a fever pitch.  The colonists adopted a powerful phrase against England's oppression:  "taxation without representation." The colonists pointed out that they were not represented in British Parliament when these taxes were passed.  The colonies could not elect anyone who was making these decisions.  The colonists had no "say" in the matter.  The British leaders responded by saying the colonists had "virtual" representation by Englishmen who were looking out for them.  Nonsense, the colonists said, adequate representation was impossible because England was so far away.

Patrick Henry put this argument into words in one of his resolutions which were published in newspapers throughout the colonies: "''Resolved.'' That the taxation of the people by themselves or by persons chosen by themselves to represent them, who can only know what taxes the people are able to bear, are the easiest method of raising them, and must themselves be affected by every tax laid on the people, is the only security against a burthensome taxation and the distinguishing characteristick of British freedom, without which the ancient constitution cannot exist."

Patrick Henry put this argument into words in one of his resolutions which were published in newspapers throughout the colonies: "''Resolved.'' That the taxation of the people by themselves or by persons chosen by themselves to represent them, who can only know what taxes the people are able to bear, are the easiest method of raising them, and must themselves be affected by every tax laid on the people, is the only security against a burthensome taxation and the distinguishing characteristick of British freedom, without which the ancient constitution cannot exist." (Notice how the spelling of certain words in colonial America was different, usually longer, than today.)

To confront the problems, nine colonies met with each other in the Stamp Act Congress in New York City in October 1765.  This was the first time the colonists had come together to consider protesting.  They sent a petition to the King.  Later, a boycott of British goods was organized.   

To confront the problems, nine colonies met with each other as the "Stamp Act Congress" in New York City in October 1765.  This was the first time the colonists had come together to consider protesting.  They sent a petition to the King.  Later, a boycott of British goods was organized.   

Colonists strongly opposed the Stamp Act's direct (internal) taxation.  If the Act were not odious enough in its own right, the fact that it came during a time of weak economy threatened to injure the colonies more deeply.  This common burden united colonists, for the Stamp Act affected every colony and every resident.  They shared the injury of a common grievance, and had a common cause to work towards.

Colonists strongly opposed the Stamp Act's direct (internal) taxation.  If the Act were not odious enough in its own right, the fact that it came during a time of weak economy threatened to injure the colonies more deeply.  This common burden united colonists, for the Stamp Act affected every colony and every resident.  They shared the injury of a common grievance, and had a common cause to work towards.

In Massachusetts, Sam Adams created the Sons of Liberty during July 1765.  This group strongly protested the Stamp Act and forced British-appointed stamp agent Andrew Oliver to resign.

In Massachusetts, Samuel Adams created the Sons of Liberty during July 1765.  This group strongly protested the Stamp Act and forced British-appointed stamp agent Andrew Oliver to resign.

When stamp agents in the other colonies realized how unpopular they were, most of them resigned also.  The few that remained were pressured to resign, and sometimes forced, as in the case of Jared Ingersoll.  "They caught Ingersoll at Wethersfield and silently and pointedly led him under a large tree.  They parlayed for hours ..., with Ingersoll squirming, arguing and refusing to resign.  The crowds ... grew so large and threatening that finally Ingersoll read his resignation to the mob and yielded to the demand that he throw his hat in the air and cheer for 'Liberty and Property.'"

When stamp agents in the other colonies realized how unpopular they were, most of them resigned also.  The few that remained were pressured to resign, and sometimes forced, as in the case of Jared Ingersoll.  "They caught Ingersoll at Wethersfield and silently and pointedly led him under a large tree.  They parlayed for hours ..., with Ingersoll squirming, arguing and refusing to resign.  The crowds ... grew so large and threatening that finally Ingersoll read his resignation to the mob and yielded to the demand that he throw his hat in the air and cheer for 'Liberty and Property.'"

When the Stamp Act took effect, there was no one to sell stamps in the colonies.  Business went on as usual and the Act was not effectively enforced.

When the Stamp Act took effect, there was no one to sell stamps in the colonies.  Business went on as usual and the Act was not effectively enforced.

Realizing that it had underestimated the colonies, Britain repealed the Stamp Act in 1766 but passed the Declaratory Act asserting a right by Britain to legislate for colonies in future.  Public outrage decreased dramatically because the Stamp Act was repealed, even though the Sugar Act, Quartering Act, and Proclamation Line (the line preventing colonies from expanding westward) were still in effect.

Realizing that it had underestimated the colonies, Britain repealed the Stamp Act in 1766 but passed the Declaratory Act asserting a right by Britain to pass legislation against the colonies in future.  Public outrage decreased dramatically because the Stamp Act was repealed, even though the Sugar Act, Quartering Act, and Proclamation Line (the line preventing colonies from expanding westward) were still in effect.

In 1767, Charles Townshend replaced William Pitt in Britain as leader in the British House of Commons.  Pitt had been generous to the colonies, and quite popular in America.  But Townshend viewed America as an opportunity for imposing taxes on the colonies in order to increase revenue for the benefit of the English government.  His attempts to do this were a series of taxes called the Townshend Acts.  They taxed paper, lead, paint, and tea in colonies to pay salaries of royal judges and governors.  Townshend also tried to divide the colonies from each other by telling only New York and Massachusetts to suspend their assemblies for failing to levy taxes to house and feed British troops in their colonies.  But the rising conflict, particularly that of the Stamp Act, had already begun to unify the colonies, and they realized that they must rise or fall together.  

In 1767, Charles Townshend replaced William Pitt in Britain as leader in the British House of Commons.  Pitt had been generous to the colonies, and quite popular in America.  But Townshend viewed America as an opportunity for imposing taxes on the colonies in order to increase revenue for the benefit of the English government.  His attempts to do this were a series of taxes called the Townshend Acts.  They taxed paper, lead, paint, and tea in colonies to pay salaries of royal judges and governors.  Townshend also tried to divide the colonies from each other by telling only New York and Massachusetts to suspend their assemblies for failing to levy taxes to house and feed British troops in their colonies.  But the rising conflict, particularly that of the Stamp Act, had already begun to unify the colonies, and they realized that they must rise or fall together.