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Summary Of Forced Founders By Woody Holton

712 Words3 Pages

The thirteen American colonies’ revolt against the British government for the taxes that it imposed on them is typically the reason given for the resulting American Revolution. In Forced Founders: Indians, Debtors, Slaves, and the Making of the American Revolution in Virginia, Woody Holton demonstrates that the Independence movement involved influences from other groups who are often overlooked. He focuses on how the activities of the Indians, debtors, slaves, farmers, and merchants influenced the gentry, particularly in the Virginia colony. These groups effected the decisions of individuals like George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, which is why they ought to be given some consideration in the study of History. The Indians of the Upper …show more content…

The Navigation Acts controlled imports to and exports from the American colonies. Also, they caused a decline in profits for tobacco farmers. Virginians were angered by the addition of the Stamp Act and the Townshend duties. They felt that they were already making a fair contribution to Britain and shouldn’t be required to pay more. Tobacco farmers continued to suffer financially, so they concocted the idea to withhold their crops. They hoped to compel Parliament to repeal the additional taxes. Also, the tobacco farmers believed their crops were being undervalued. There actions evolved into a crop-withholding association, and then came nonexportation and ultimately, the New England Restraining Act. Virginians had already been boycotting importation of British merchandise and now they were preventing exportation of tobacco to Britain. “The struggle between Virginia tobacco growers and British merchants helped to spark the American …show more content…

They believed the inflow of slaves had negatively affected their economy. The Virginian House of Burgesses did try to stop the inflow of slaves but were always met with opposition from the British government. Thus, the British government continued to force slave immigration into Virginia. Eventually, Virginians came into conflict with slaves and royal governors, such as loyalist Governor Dunmore. Governor Dunmore had stores of gunpowder removed from the center of Williamsburg and stored in the warship, HMS Magdalen. Virginians believed Governor Dunmore’s action was treacherous. He was a loyalist who did not support their Independence movement. Slaves, like Joseph Harris, saw an opportunity for freedom in joining British forces against the patriotic colonists. Therefore, many slaves flee their masters and joined with Dunmore. An increase in crime amongst the slaves and fear of insurrection caused Virginians to desire even more their Independence from

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