The American Revolution Case

The American Revolution

In April 1775, a historical war was started by the colonists against the British in America. The economic warfare between Great Britain and the colonists began well before the colonies declared their independence in 1776. Many of the the decisions made by the British and the colonists caused the conflict to be more economically rooted, rather than political and social.

Many of these economic differences started with the French & Indian War. This is also known as the Seven Years War. This began in 1754 and the first major event happened in 1755 when the British were defeated at Ft. Duquesne. The war ended in 1763 causing many economic problems. Things like the British claims greatly expanded in America. Victory-flushed, Britain emerged from the Seven Years’ War holding one of the biggest empires in the world-and also, the biggest debt. Most of this debt came from spending money on the war. In an effort to justify and service this debt, British officials moved to redefine their relationship with the North American Colonies.

In 1763 the resentment towards the colonists became clear when Prime Minister George Grenville ordered the navy to strictly enforce the Navigation laws. He also secured from Parliament the Sugar Act in 1764. It was the first law passed in terms of raising tax revenues in the colonies for the crown. Among other provisions, it increased duty on foreign sugar imported from the West Indies. The colonists, after many bitter protests, had the duties lowered substantially. This shows how the conflict was rooted economically because the people were very unhappy that there was now a larger tax on sugar. This would be just a small example of how the British and colonists had economic conflict with each other. The resentment was still alive thanks to the Quartering Act of 1765. This required certain colonies to provide adequate food and housing to British soldiers. They were being forced to pay more for their sugar, and forced to house and provide food for soldiers which would cost them money, proving that an economic conflict was involved.

In the same year, 1765, Grenville imposed the most odious act of all: a Stamp Tax, to raise revenues to support the new military force. The Stamp Act mandated the use of stamped paper, certifying payment of tax. Stamps would now be required on things such as; legal documents, playing cards, pamphlets, newspapers, and marriage licenses. Grenville tried to convince the Americans of the importance of this by telling them they were paying for their own defense. But the colonists did not buy this, and were very angry with this act most of all. The worst part in the eyes of the colonists was they felt they were losing their liberty. “It is a power that places the liberty of every man in the hands of every petty officer…” (Document A). What this quote shows is how the colonists were upset with these new acts. They felt their liberty was being taken away and given to the British. Both the Sugar and Stamp act provided for trying offenders in the hated admiralty courts with no juries. These problems would later be discussed when the Stamp Act Congress met in 1765 to draft a petition. “That it is inseparably essential to the freedom of a people, and the undoubted right of Englishmen, that no taxes be imposed on them but with their own consent, given personally or by their representatives.”(Document B). This quote is from the Stamp Act Resolution, and it shows the colonists opinion on what they wanted their taxes to be like. These economic differences eventually led to revolutionary consequences.

Reacting to these acts, the colonists began to fight back. More effective than congress was the widespread adoption of nonimportant agreements. These were boycotts made by the colonists against British goods. This had a very big economic impact. People began making things themselves or eating their own food and stopped buying from the British. This was a major stride towards a union as they began to sign petitions, swearing to uphold the terms of the consumer boycotts. Not all protests were this peaceful, as many were very violent. Groups of ardent spirits know as Sons of Liberty and Daughters of Liberty took the law into their own hands. These groups enforced the non importation agreements, often using tar and feathers. “Christopher Gadsden, merchant, William Johnson, blacksmith…”(Document C). This is a list of people who were sons of liberty. As can be seen, they are all working people, so they would have been affected negatively by the increase in taxes. This proves the conflict was economic because these people were beginning to revolt since their taxes were increased. More proof of an economic conflict can be seen in the transcript