Changes

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.

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.

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.

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, 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."

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 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 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.  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 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 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, 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."

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."

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."

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 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.   

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.  The outrage united colonists, for the Stamp Act affected every colony and every citizen.  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.  The outrage united colonists, for the Stamp Act affected every colony and every citizen.  They shared the injury of a common grievance, and had a common cause to work towards.

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 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 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 were still in effect.

In 1767, Charles Townshend replaced William Pitt in Britain as leader in the House of Commons.  Pitt had been generous to the colonies, and quite popular in America.  But Townshend viewed America as an opportunity to increase revenue.  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 that their fate would rise or fall together.  

In 1767, Charles Townshend replaced William Pitt in Britain as leader in the House of Commons.  Pitt had been generous to the colonies, and quite popular in America.  But Townshend viewed America as an opportunity to increase revenue.  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 that they must rise or fall together.  

The colonies did not react as swiftly as they had to the Stamp Act.  But they did resist, primarily due to clever pamphlets that educated and incited them.  John Dickinson's pamphlet, "Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania" was first published in 1767, and spread throughout the colonies as well as to Ireland, England, and France.  Dickinson, known as the "Penman of the Revolution," was a superb writer who also drafted the "Declaration Rights" for the Stamp Act Congress, the "Olive Branch Petition", and the Articles of Confederation.   

The colonies did not react as swiftly as they had to the Stamp Act.  But they did resist, primarily due to clever pamphlets that educated and incited them.  John Dickinson's pamphlet, "Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania" was first published in 1767, and spread throughout the colonies as well as to Ireland, England, and France.  Dickinson, known as the "Penman of the Revolution," was a superb writer who also drafted the "Declaration of Rights" for the Stamp Act Congress, the "Olive Branch Petition", and the Articles of Confederation.   

The "Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania" maintained an impression of loyalty to the king.  Cleverly, he argued not from the standpoint of the colonies, but in terms of England's well being, and benefit to her.  He admonished American's not to allow chaos break out (as occurred in the French Revolution a decade later): "The cause of ''liberty'' is a cause of too much dignity to be sullied by turbulence and tumult."

The "Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania" maintained an impression of loyalty to the king.  Cleverly, Dickinson argued not from the standpoint of the colonies, but in terms of England's well being, and benefit to her.  He admonished American's not to allow chaos break out (as occurred in the French Revolution a decade later): "The cause of ''liberty'' is a cause of too much dignity to be sullied by turbulence and tumult."

By 1768, the colonists were ready to act.  Massachusetts wrote a letter to the British and it was endorsed (co-signed) by New Hampshire, Virginia, Maryland, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Georgia, and South Carolina.

By 1768, the colonists were ready to act.  Massachusetts wrote a letter to the British and it was endorsed (co-signed) by New Hampshire, Virginia, Maryland, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Georgia, and South Carolina.

A harsh response came from across the Atlantic in Britain, ordering Massachusetts to revoke their letter, and admonishing other states to have no part in stirring up resentment toward Britain.  In June, more troops arrived from England.

A harsh response came from across the Atlantic in Britain, ordering Massachusetts to revoke their letter, and admonishing other states to have no part in stirring up resentment toward Britain.  In June, more troops arrived from England.

Next, the colonists boycotted British goods.  The boycott was very effective.  British Imports fell from 2,157,218 pounds to 1,336,122 pound between 1768 and 1769.

Next, the colonists boycotted British goods.  The boycott was very effective.  British Imports fell from 2,157,218 pounds to 1,336,122 pounds between 1768 and 1769.

Feeling the strength of the colonies once again, Britain repealed the Townshend Acts, but the tea tax remained. This tension would explode on the night of December 16, 1773, when the Boston Tea Party occurred (discussed below).

Feeling the strength of the colonies once again, Britain repealed the Townshend Acts, but the tea tax remained. This tension would explode on the night of December 16, 1773, when the Boston Tea Party occurred.

'''Debate: should England have been able to impose direct taxes on the colonies?'''

'''Debate: Should England have been able to impose direct taxes on the colonies?'''

== Violence Begins ==

== Violence Begins ==