As the prosperity and merchant activity of the English Colonies grew, laws by the British Parliament began to target colonial trade and production of goods to protect English merchants who were complaining about colonial competition. The collusion of English merchants and government was known as "mercantilism." As the tyranny and taxes by Britain increased, a Great Awakening was launched by Pastor Jonathan Edwards, and Reverend George Whitefield, which would open the eyes of the colonists to the despotic tyranny on the rise in their land.