ABSTRACT
During the colonial period, as well as for long after, the wars between European nations always involved their nationals in America in the strife. Under the old system, the whole fabric of colonial administration had been organized for the purpose of seeing that the colonies remained in their appointed roles in the imperial structure, as producers of raw materials and consumers of manufactured goods. It was evident that the English debt was colossal as the result of the long struggle, and that if empire were going to prove costly beyond the ability of England to carry alone, the colonies, who shared the benefits, should share to some extent the cost. Here and there in various colonies there were local grievances against England, but prosperity had returned to America, and the wealthy, as well as many of the classes dependent on them, were inclined to forget the quarrel with the mother country.
