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American History Lecture Two (view source)
Revision as of 20:08, August 27, 2008
, 20:08, August 27, 2008no edit summary
The situation was similar to today’s problem with new Israeli settlements in areas claimed by Palestinians. Like the Israeli settlers, colonists were angry at this restriction, and ignored it. Frontiers continued to expand westward.
The situation was similar to today’s problem with new Israeli settlements in areas claimed by Palestinians. Like the Israeli settlers, colonists were angry at this restriction, and ignored it. Frontiers continued to expand westward.
Now that a new Prime Minister was in power who wanted peace, and wanted the colonies to pay their share of the war costs, colonists were burdened by strictly enforced taxes. Prime minister George Grenville taxed sugar, then prohibited colonies from issuing paper currency.
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 an army in America. Problems began when Grenville gave naval officers 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.
Now that a new Prime Minister was in power who wanted peace, and wanted the colonies to pay their share of the war costs, colonists were burdened by strictly enforced taxes.
The first of these was the Sugar Act. As its name suggests, this act imposed taxes on sugar, but that was not it full extent. The Sugar Act placed stricter regulations on all shipping, stopped the colonies from importing rum, and lowered molasseses tariffs. The British made no secret of the fact that the purpose of the Sugar Act was to make money: "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."
He humiliated the colonists with legal intrusions: writs of assistance to search businesses without a court order or warrant. He violated ancient rights. He passed the Quartering Act to require colonists to house British troops at the expense of their own government. This did nothing to make money for Britain, but only punished the colonies.
He humiliated the colonists with legal intrusions: writs of assistance to search businesses without a court order or warrant. He violated ancient rights. He passed the Quartering Act to require colonists to house British troops at the expense of their own government. This did nothing to make money for Britain, but only punished the colonies.
(9) Colonists saw a bright prospect for their future.<br><br>
(9) Colonists saw a bright prospect for their future.<br><br>
Independence was inevitable, as with other British colonies, but came quicker than for most.
All of these played an important part in making colonists ready to fight and win. The single greatest factor was the changes Britain made in her policy toward the colonies.
Independence was inevitabl, as with other British colonies, but came quicker than for most.
The British commander in charge of America, General [[Thomas Gage]], decided to march by surprise from Boston to Concord to seize a storehouse of rebel guns and ammunition, and maybe arrest some leaders.
The British commander in charge of America, General [[Thomas Gage]], decided to march by surprise from Boston to Concord to seize a storehouse of rebel guns and ammunition, and maybe arrest some leaders.