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, 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.

The first true crisis began around 1763 when the British Parliament (the national legislature in Great Britain, comprised of England, Scotland, and Wales) 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 (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."

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."