The 1700s were a distressing time for both the American colonists and Great Britain. Before the French and Indian War, the American colonies had been, more or less, left to themselves, and for the duration of this time they had gotten used to the independence and had relished the budding population and flourishing economy. But, after the French and Indian War, the British needed funds to help pay off the war and other costs of running an empire. They felt the American colonists should aid in paying the debt so they imposed taxes and amplified British control of the colonies to ensure smooth flow of revenue. This came into conflict with the colonists’ expectations that they had built up over the years, and individuals began to speak out. Documents
