Changes

Realizing that it had underestimated the colonies, Britain repealed the Stamp Act in 1766 but passed the Declaratory Act asserting a right by Britain to legislate for colonies in future.  Public outrage decreased dramatically because the Stamp Act was repealed, even though the Sugar Act, Quartering Act, and Proclamation Line were still in effect.

Realizing that it had underestimated the colonies, Britain repealed the Stamp Act in 1766 but passed the Declaratory Act asserting a right by Britain to legislate for colonies in future.  Public outrage decreased dramatically because the Stamp Act was repealed, even though the Sugar Act, Quartering Act, and Proclamation Line were still in effect.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 as leader in the House of Commons.  Pitt had been generous to the colonies, and quite popular there.  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. The overall effect of the Acts was to gradually take power away from the colonists. The taxes singled out New York and Massachusetts to suspend their assemblies for failing to levy taxes to house and feed British troops in their colonies.  By targeting those states, the Act tried to avoid inciting the wrath of all colonies.  But the rising conflict, particularly that of the Stamp Act, had begun to unify the colonies.  They understood that what happened to one colony would happen to another just as easily.

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.  

The colonies did not react as swiftly as they did to the Stamp Act.  A primary catalyst that lead to their eventual resistance was John Dickinson's pamphlet, ''Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania''.  Johen Dickinson has been nickname the "Penman of the Revolution".  He was a great writer who drafter the "Declaration Rights" for the Stamp Act Congress, the "Olive Branch Petition", and the Articles of Confederation.  His superb insight and skill made his pamphlet enormously successful.  The piece was first published in 1767, and spread throughout the colonies as well as to Ireland, England, and France.  Dickinson was careful, however to maintain 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 also 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 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.   

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

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 response came, 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 pound between 1768 and 1769.

Feeling the strength of the colonies once again, Britain repealed the Townshend Acts, but the tea tax remained.

Feeling the strength of the colonies once again, Britain repealed the Townshend Acts, but the tea tax remained.

'''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 ==