4-3 Final Project Milestone Two_Thesis Statement and Larger Historical Context

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Feb 20, 2024

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1 Terry S. Haynes HIS 113 November 19, 2022 American Revolution: Milestone Two Context: A major trend that led to the American Revolution was the taxation that Great Britain enforced on the colonies. Before the French and Indian War, Great Britain had mostly ignored the colonies during a time when Great Britain's economy was healthy. During this time, the colonists believed they had more independence than they genuinely did. However, due to Britain's economic crisis, they decided that the colonies would be their saving grace. Due to reports from British observers, the Crown agreed that they needed to take control over the unruly colonists, that money could continue to be saved by making the colonists house British troops, and that trade should be taxed (Hewitt & Lawson, 2017, p. 5.9). Thomas Paine (1776) states, "Wherefore, her own interest leads her to suppress the growth of ours in every case which doth not promote her advantage, or in the least interfere with it" and "A temporary stoppage of trade was an inconvenience, which would have sufficiently balanced the repeal of all the acts complained of, had such repeals been obtained" in support of breaking away from Great Britain. A second trend that relates to the American Revolution was social status enabling one's political identity. How colonist's lived was influenced by their social class, showcasing a marked division between the elite and lower classes. Men from well-to-do families were easily able to rise in politics. However, the rising tensions between those that sought independence and those wanting to maintain the status quo caused great concern for men in political positions.
2 McDonnell (2004) says that with the new definition of patriotism emphasizing “political identity over social status,” everything on which the elites based their authority and the respect, prestige, and status they demanded was in danger (p. 269). Men in political positions wanted to maintain their power over the lower classes. The continual taxation by Great Britain and the divide between social classes, with the lower classes not feeling heard, contributed to the American Revolution. The enacting of many taxation acts had a detrimental effect on the colonists. The impact was felt by all, from rising unemployment rates and lower wages to downturns in trade business (Hewitt & Lawson, 2017, p. 5.10). When Grenville announced that there would be a Stamp Act, concerns were raised that "Parliament was taxing colonists who had no representation in its debates and decisions" (Hewitt & Lawson, 2017, p. 5.10). By providing sufficient notice to the colonies about the upcoming tax, the colonists had time to gather and lodge formal protests about the taxation without representation (Hewitt & Lawson, 2017, 5.10). These concerns led to demonstrations and mob uprisings against stamp distributors. However, the success of these uprisings and the formal protests showed the colonists, from the lower classes to the upper classes, that they could band together for a common cause and effect change. While the American Revolution eventually succeeded in the colonies having representation and a voice in matters that pertained to the public, taxation is still a concern today, especially in the post-Covid-19 era. The cost of merchandise has considerably risen and has put quite a strain on American families' finances. Even though there is still a division between social classes, it is much easier today for individuals to rise in social standing. For example, those born into low-income families have equal opportunities to obtain schooling and become lawyers, politicians, and business owners, to name a few.
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