Colonists Grievances

The 18th century can be marked as a period of internal and external struggle for the American colonists. From improper representation, to unfair taxes, such as the Stamp Act, to being overall abused by Britain, the colonists were justifiably angry. From this anger, the slogan “No taxation without representation” was born and quickly began to emerge from the lips of almost every colonist all across America. The demand from colonists everywhere for no taxation without representation weighed heavily as a symbol for democracy, as it revealed the mindset of many – Britain was using the hardworking colonists and took their money without even giving them a say – and laid the foundation for the American revolutionary war, allowing more arguments and

The years of 1763-1765 were truly defining moments for colonist of the colonies, soon to become the United States of America. ‘’War! War! This is the only way!” American Colonist shouted,as they took to the streets proclaiming defiance of British rule. “We as a people shall fight for our freedom and have victory.No more shall we continue to let others control our countries and give our money to a monarch who has no concern for our right’s, dedication that was put forth to help fight and respect us as loyal subjects.We must fight for our freedom!” When American colonist waged war it proved to be the only way for the colonies to become free from Britian. In turn, the colonist were justified in breaking away from England because of: The

The british wouldn’t let the colonists fight their own wars and the colonists had to pay for protection for an army that was not wanted. The colonists were not

John Locke believed in the state of nature and the dissolution of government. Locke states “When the government is dissolved,the people are at liberty to provide for themselves by erecting a new legislative.” In the quote above John Locke is saying that people are responsible enough to govern themselves without being judged.

The biggest reason that colonists were becoming disgruntled with their mother country, Britain, was Britain’s heavy debts that Britain had accumulated while fighting wars with France which needed to be alleviated. As with all governments, Britain had to tax its people to procure the funds needed to pay these debts. Britain saw their colonies as thousands of British citizens that they had not taxed satisfactorily. After realizing this, Britain imposed several new taxes on goods imported and exported to and from the colonies. The colonists were livid over the new taxes. After all, Britain had practiced salutary neglect for almost 100 years. Salutary neglect is the practice of leaving one’s foreign acquisitions to their own devices with little to no interference of their government, social, or economic aspects. The colonists immediately began to petition these new taxes. Their logic: “No taxation without representation.”

The American colonies were justified in their response to the taxes King George III and Parliament applied on the colonist as Britain allowed this new world to form its own reality and sense of independence by refusing to financially support the colonies and ignoring the large gap that developed over time between the colonies and Britain.

The people feared their security after the French Indian War because the Indians were in part “savages” that did not care about the colonists and crossed boundaries without permission, but they were protected by the government because the British had an alliance with them (Doc A). This could have bias because it was the “Petition of the Paxton Boys to the Provincial Council of Pennsylvania” and the Paxton boys were Scott-Irish that already had problems with the British. The people were tired of the intruders which is another reason why they rebelled against the British. If they could get away from British control they could have a chance to handle the Indians how ever they want. Another example of how it was affecting the people is the Examination of Benjamin Franklin in 1766. He was asked if there was a difference between internal and external tax to the people and he explained that it was significantly harder for the people to accept internal tax because it was direct and obligatory (Doc C). This justifies their acts for independence because they were obviously not content with how they were being taxed and wanted to end

There are many reasons why the American colonist decided to rebel. One cause is the British Parliament. They started The Stamp Act and The Sugar Act. They made and raised taxes on sugar and on every printed piece of paper such as stamps, licenses, newspapers and even playing cards. Another reason they rebelled is the French and Indian war. This war lasted from 1754 to 1763. Colonists were taxed to help pay for the troops fighting in the war.The taxes were often raised and colonists were angry because of this. The last reason of why the colonist rebelled is the Boston Massacre. The British were angered by the taxes from the government so they decided to protest and a battle broke out and several people were shot and killed.

For a better part of the eighteenth century, the American colonists expressed vexation and disapproval of the "coercive " acts, which the British Government perpetrated on the colony through series of legislative acts by the British Parliament. Prior to the acts that the colonists in America termed as atrocious and oppressive, they were willing to cooperate and reaffirm loyalty to the King of England. Some of the legislations and declarations that colonists participated in was the sustenance of British soldiers in the colony, payment of import tariffs and other forms of taxes to support the British central government. These are but a few, the reasons as to why colonists objected to the mode of British rule in America. Another concern was the "Rights violations" by the English government regarding economic progress and representation. Because of these grievances, British colonists in America stepped up agitation through violation of the "tyrannical" Acts and petitions through the Continental Congress. The essay explores the grievances that Colonists in America held against the British government, in riposte to "My Dear America Cousin" letter.

Organized colonial resistance began between the years 1763-1776. The policies of Britain toward their American colonies over this time period escalated tension between the two, and finally led to the rejection of Royal power by the colonies. The British policies caused this outcome because they threatened the colonists’ republican values. These were ideals adapted from the early classical Greek and Roman republics, as well as from laws established by the British. These core beliefs centered strongly on God-given inalienable rights, liberty of the people, and the belief that all should take part in the government. The combination of harsh British policies regarding taxation, settlement and everyday

Philosophers Thomas Hobbs and John Locke argue that having a government is the only way for a society to avoid the state of nature. However, Hobbs and Lock argue for completely different methods of government, monarchy and republic, which are both means to break out of the inherent state of nature. One such method, argued for by Hobbs, is an absolute monarchy where you subdue your liberty for security. Whether or not the absolute monarchy is tyrannical, Hobbs portrays the state of nature as “poor, nasty, brutish, and short.” For the most part the state of nature, as referred to by Hobbs, makes the population accept the tyranny of a monarchy because that is better than the state of nature. The colonies rejected Britain’s Monarchy for its lack of representation, which caused a revolution. Furthermore, after the American Revolution the articles of confederation was drafted to create order after independence was gained. The articles of confederation is extremely weak, and does not tie the newly birthed nation together cohesively. There are a plethora of problems with regards to the articles of confederation, but the most profound is the lack of power vested in the national government. Therefore, the constitution should be ratified since it maintains balance of national and state government, additionally, the constitution fosters the overall growth of the nation through its ability to collect taxes, maintain cooperation between states, and represents the population

The British had control of the thirteen colonies for many years prior to the French and Indian War. After the war Britain took sole possession of the thirteen colonies. The French and Indian War had put Britain in debt so they began taxing the colonists. Britain also began to enforce laws made by the King of England. This led to the phrase "no taxation without representation". The colonists had no other choices but to try and settle their differences with Britain or attempt to break away.

The British’s remedies for rebuilding their colony after the French and Indian War, were extreme in more matters than one. The colonists had a justified reason for denying the British’s attempts to gain more money, because their efforts included raising the taxes on citizens and telling the colonist where they should and should not settle. “The British plan to reform colonial relations had three main goals: (1) to tighten control by eliminating absenteeism and corruption of royal officials in the colonies and by limiting smuggling, which colonists were using to avoid taxes, tariffs, and regulations; (2) to limit the areas where colonists could settle; and (3) to raise greater revenue” (Shultz, 2010 p. 83). The British began majorly tightening

In chapter IX of his Second Treatise of Government, John Locke initiates his interpretation of the ends of political society and government. He begins this discussion with two thought-provoking questions regarding the reasoning behind an individual voluntarily parting with natural liberty. This is a legitimate inquiry, considering once a man enters civil society he submits himself to certain laws and the people who make them. Although Locke does not view government as a natural state for human beings, he asserts that the state of nature lacks certain comforts that can only be achieved through a political society. Therefore, although man does enjoy certain powers within the state of nature, government is ultimately needed to ensure peaceful and comfortable living.

Many of the colonists were not please with the Parliament of Great Britain imposing major taxes on them and taking their property. For example, John Adams believed no nation, specifically Great Britain of France, had the right to intervene in the taxation of the colonists of an entirely separate nation. Adams believed that the colonies could function on their own, without help from the Parliaments of other nations. The ideas of Locke support this, for he has very positive, good-natured, and optimistic views on man. Locke believed that man knows what is right and wrong naturally, and that we have the ability to fix our problems and conflicts lawfully. These positive views prove that it is not necessary to have an outside Parliament helping the colonies because the colonists are more than capable of fixing problems on their own. They had fought for years to become self-functioning and independent, and they did not need the Parliament of Great Britain helping them. As stated by Locke, men can solve their problems, such as economic issues, lawfully and safely without the help of another nation. Locke’s ideas could be used to support Adam’s belief that the colonies did not need assistance from another nation because they were more than capable of handling their own situations in the right