It is easy to interpret the American Revolution simply as a struggle for freedom. The magnanimous phrases of the Declaration of Independence have embedded in our hearts and minds glorious images of the Founding Fathers fighting for the natural rights of man. The American Revolution, however, also had a darker side to it, the side of self-interest and profit. The signers of the Declaration represented various classes – the working class, the wealthy land owners and merchants, the intellectuals, and the social elite. Each of these strata had its own set of expectations and fears, which lent a new dimension to the cause of the Revolution. The pressure of these internal, and often overlapping groups, combined with the oppressive external …show more content…
Local artisans, laborers, and small merchants who traded outside of the British Empire, embraced the boycott of British goods and severance with England entirely because it afforded them economic opportunities that made the risk of revolution worthwhile (p. 145, Berkin). These groups had been living under the yoke of unfair taxation and an inexhaustible source of British competition in labor and goods. Revolution, for them, meant “a release from Britain’s mercantile policies, which restricted colonial trade with other nations, held out the promise of expanded trade and an end to the risks of smuggling (p. 145, Berkin).”
Another large group, the Southern planters (of which Thomas Jefferson belonged), also had economic motives to end ties with England. These elite Southern planters were land owners who had cornered the world market on tobacco. The only problem was, they were not the ones who marketed it. As it stood, pre-Revolution, the South planted and harvested the cash crop, while the British hauled it away and sold it. They did not haul it for free, either. “By 1760 [English duties on tobacco] had risen as high as 15 times the value of the tobacco (Fourth International, Frankel).” Jefferson, himself said
The advantages made by the British merchants on the tobacco consigned to them were so enormous, that they spared no means of
This is about the American revolution and the taxes the King of England put on the American colonists and how the American colonists thought that King George was a tyrant. The reason that writing this is to show how the American colonists reacted to the Acts that the King put on them. One of the laws was the sugar act of 1764 and the imports from Britain. There was also the stamp act of 1765 that made the colonists real mad . The result of the Tea act was the Boston tea party lead by the Sons of Liberty. The quartering act was the direct cause of the Boston massacre where eleven people were shot and five of them died.
Another aspect that Holton examines was the number of boycotts on English goods. The financial goals of the colonies to England were the production of certain luxury items that could only be produced in the colonies; that included cotton, tobacco, and indigo, all of which were considerable revenue-makers for both the colonists and their British counterparts. These boycotts caused farmers great financial losses as they described in an anonymous essay that appeared in the March 1776 Virginia Gazette as “the slaves of Britain.” (Holton 46).
“The newly enacted customs regulations have had a most detrimental effect upon business. The original reforms back in 1763 and the Sugar Act of the following year have provided for what seem to me unlawful searches and seizures of ships and cargo. Violators of the law have had their ships and cargo taken by the British who in turn sell the assets. The proceeds are divided into thirds split evenly amongst the English treasury, the governor of the respective colony, and lastly the officers responsible for prosecuting the
Free trade was very important to every individual’s livelihood. Without seemingly no interruption from Britain, colonist traded with many different European powers. Not only did this boost the colonial economy, but paved way for an angry bunch of colonists when London does double down on its policy enforcement. But prior to this, traders and merchants operated with ease. The sudden stop of these operations is what had poured oil over the fire of the evolution towards revolt. Prosperous trade with a variety of countries consisting of slaves and cash crops, chiefly in the south, had made many slave owners
Financial development drove Britain to overlook a great part of the smuggling and domestic that occurred in the provinces. The arrangement of manufacturing accepted that the states supplied crude materials and the motherland made products, nearby needs did not much disrupt British industry. The fact that the king and parliament held extreme political dominance, over the American colonies, it was less demanding to allow some nearby government control over choices that were made, the challenges that were created were due to the distance. The royal navy had the privilege to inspire men, yet even midst, American colonies examine impressment as a gratuitous infringement rights as British subjects. Numerous colonist had begun to see local self-administration as rights instead of benefits, domestic manufacturing, also begun to see carries.
This new organized commerce law is horrendous for us! We can no more make a benefit by exchanging with the Americans, and the greater part of our trench frameworks and flour plants are no more use to us! We have no benefit! We require assets from different states! Americans Here are some alternate points of view and responses of the new organized commerce law, expressing that Britain would permit merchandise from any nation without duty. The new unhindered commerce law is incredible for us! We can now openly exchange with Great Britain for no assessment, and make a considerably more prominent benefit! Presently we can put resources into more channel frameworks and flour factories to make a fortune! English North American Colonies Great
In the late eighteenth century, thirteen rebellious colonies voted for independence from their parent country, kickstarting the United States of America. The separation required a tedious and well-thought-out plan, with mixed emotions brewing over a long period of time about the unnecessary restrictions placed upon them by Britain. To some people during this time period, the Declaration of Independence seemed outrageous and radical; it was the first time in history that such a substantial group of colonies broke off from it’s mother country. However, as one digs deeper into the events leading up to this revolutionary statement, it can be inferred that the revolution was a logical and thought out decision, driven by the colonist’s anger towards
(Devore, Lecture #3.) Even though most of the credit was issued from England, it allowed the colonists to buy more things and further strengthen and enhance the cohesiveness of the colonies. By this time the colonies had already well established external trade relationships with both the Indians and other countries. One of their major trade partners was the West Indies, where the colonists procured molasses from which they made rum. (Devore, Lecture #3.) All of these economic developments – consumerism amongst the colonies, Anglicizing of the colonies, the newfound availability and use of credit and the abundance of external trade – play a major role in the reasons that lead up to the American Revolution.
The causes of the American Revolution go back to the beginning of salutary neglect and the French and Indian War, as well as changes in the thinking of society. The effects of these events and other factors led to pressure within the colonies, ultimately resulting in rebellion.
There were multiple causes for the American Revolution, but the most important was the violation and deprivation of rights from the American People. The American people were faced with multiple acts and taxes that violated and took away their rights. Americans were continuously being taxed after the French and Indian War by acts like the sugar act, the stamp act, the Townshend acts,the tea act, and many more(Hedtke, et al., The American Saga). Despite all the taxes being placed on the Americans and the things they would buy, they still were not being represented in the British government. The British government claimed that the Americans had virtual representation, and that British parliament represents citizens of England anywhere they
Hello, I am Ambrose Serle, I am 34 years old. Lived most of my life in England, and have come to the colonies just two years ago. My job ranges from an English official, hymnist, and author. I have recently became the clerk of reports a few months back. I worry that with this ongoing tension of the rebellious colonists, it can turn into an uglier situation and that, they should cease this rebellion as Britain is a rightful government for the
The American Revolution began, before the battles had even started. A lot lead to the revolution, and the economic problems were the main reason. In 1651, the English Parliament passed the Navigation acts which told the colonists that any product not produced by England itself (cotton, tobacco, and sugar) were to be shipped from the colonies only to England.
The causes of the American Revolution don’t just start at the acts that were passed, they go way back. Starting in 1763, the end of the French and Indian war. Wars are costly, so after this war Britain was in great debt, so as always they put that on the colonists, raising their taxes. Next is the Treaty of Paris 1763 when British gained land because of their win in the French and Indian War. From this gain of land, settlers began to move west making the Natives very unhappy. To save Britain from another all out war, they decided to pass the Proclamation of 1763 which stated that settlers were permitted to settle west of the Appalachian Mountains. This made the Natives happy, but us colonists felt differently. Britain should have fought for our land and our rights, instead they just gave it up to the Natives. Shows how much they care about us, right!
England started settling in America in the early 1600s when the settlement of Jamestown was built; eventually throughout the years this lead to the American colonies because more Englishmen and women decided that they too would start a new life in the “New World,” and more people means more houses for the people and more houses and buildings leads to more colonies being formed. This process of forming new colonies under British rule ended in 1732 when Georgia (the 13th American colony) became an American colony; however, since these colonies have been around for over a century these colonists have had an immense amount of time distant from England they begin to get a taste of this freedom and after
England’s policy of mercantilism contributed strongly to the emergence of the Trans-Atlantic Trade during the eighteenth century, resulting in the growth of racism and consumerism. The country’s desire to maximize its wealth guided it to encourage its ships to follow the shipping lanes to the various Atlantic continents to make the greatest possible profit. To help achieve this goal, cheap labor in the form of black slaves was used. As people’s wealth grew, so did their desire to purchase more and more.