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 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.

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 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.  

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

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 molasses 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."

The first of these tax burdens was the Sugar Act.  As its name suggests, this act imposed taxes on sugar, and 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 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."

Grenville humiliated the colonists with legal intrusions: writs of assistance to search businesses without a court order or warrant. He violated ancient rights. 

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.

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 bear stamps (not postage stamps) showing that coin tax had been paid.  Subtly, the British were suppressing vocal writers and lawyers, by making their trades 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 bear stamps (not postage stamps) showing that coin 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, the Quartering Act was passed.  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 building.  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 building.  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."

But anger was growing in the colonies even before the Stamp Act and Quartering Act.  With the passage of these two new acts, outrage rose higher than ever.  The colonists held to a strong argument against England’s oppression:  taxation without representation.  Britain said colonists had “virtual” representation.  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 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.

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."