Between 1763 – 1776, the relationship between the American colonists and the British changed drastically, as tensions rose dramatically. Economic Impact The British had depleted all financial resources to defeat the French during the French and Indian War, “she [Great Britain] was left with a debt of £137 million, over half of the budget going towards interest payments, and a garrison force in America, which cost £384,000 a year to maintain.” Footnote: Francis D. Cogliano, Revolutionary America, 1763-1815: A Political History, (London: Routledge, 2000), 27. Parliament needed to find a way to offset this significant debt and replenish its national treasury. The British exercised their power to tax. Numerous new taxes were imposed on colonists …show more content…
The hope was that lowering the duty on molasses would reduce the temptation to smuggle the commodity from the Dutch and French West Indies for the rum distilleries of New England…the duty imposed by the Sugar Act…caused consternation among New England merchants. They contended that payment of even the small duty imposed would be ruinous to their businesses. • Political: Colonists grown accustomed to governing themselves, many were outraged with Parliaments assertion of power But this tax did not generate sufficient funds, so Prime Minister George Grenville implemented another tax on the colonists. ➢ The Stamp Act: On March 22, 1765, Parliament passed the Stamp Act. • This act required every newspaper, pamphlet, legal document, license and even playing cards, to be imprinted with a royal stamp, as proof the tax had been paid. • Anyone violating this act, would be tried in admiralty courts – courts without a jury Direct tax on colonists The American colonists opposed this tax, as revenues raised were used to pay for the British army protecting the newly acquired land near the Appalachian