Changes In Colonial Affairs In The Early 1700's

England had little structure in place to manage the daily activities of colonial affairs in the early 1700’s. As a result of this disconnect, the colonists took it upon themselves to set taxes, pass laws, and make appropriations (Brinkley 102). Following the Seven Years’ War between England and France, and the simultaneous French and Indian war in America, England was determined to unify its new empire and raise funds to pay off their enormous war debts (Hyser 61). Parliament unleashed sweeping changes in the coming years, and as these changes accumulated, tensions rose among the colonists. Fundamental differences in philosophies became clear, including limits to personal liberties, the concept of taxation, and the abundant presence of British
The Mutiny Act of 1765 was voluntarily accepted in most early instances. Many understood that the troops were stationed to help protect the colonies from attack by the Indians, and most colonists were not necessarily against providing shelter and supplies to the troops (Brinkley 117). The problem was that these actions were legally mandated, which they viewed as a restriction of their personal freedoms. The overreaching presence of Britain was also seen in Boston, where customs commissioners were stationed and constantly met by harassment from the residents (Brinkley 117). As tensions grew, four regiments of British troops were stationed in the city. This again was seen as a repression of independence to the colonists, and on March 5, 1770 it turned into a skirmish. As dockworkers pelted the soldiers with rocks and snowballs, a scuffle ensued and the redcoats began to fire into the crowd, killing five colonists (Brinkley 118). This instance manifested itself into a much more gruesome tale of British oppression, dubbed the Boston Massacre, and spread wildly throughout the