For most of the 18th century Britain had a solid hold on its colonies in the new world. Most colonists, at the time had a strong sense of pride for the mother country, and considered themselves to be British subjects. However, this view would begin to change dramatically at the end of the French and Indian war. Not long after the end of the war these loyalist views would begin to change as Britain began its effort to survive economically after the war. Although they now had control over much of North America, they did not have control over their debt. This led to a string of events that would change colonial views dramatically in the colonies and even led to the creation of a new country, the United States of America. In short, colonial views …show more content…
One example where these loyalist views can be found is in the Albany Plan of 1754. The plan called for a union of the colonies to help defend against the French (and Indians), and would have allowed the Colonies many aspects of sovereignty (like managing an army, making laws, imposing taxes, indian affairs.) However, this plan would have still kept the colonies under British rule; something that many colonists were in favor off . For example many colonists endorsed the use of troops against the French, and some even enlisted in the British army during the war. However, once the Treaty of Paris was signed in 1763, problems soon erupted that began to change the views and actions of some colonists, and the issues of taxes and representation played a large role. As previously stated, the French and Indian war left a large debt on Great Britain, and they needed a way to pay for it. Given that many Americans paid much lower taxes than the British (An average American colonist paid one shilling in taxes, to a Briton’s 24) the crown felt it would be necessary for the Americans to pay for the cost of defending the newly acquired territory. Unfortunately …show more content…
These acts led to more unrest, including more boycotting of English goods, and an emphasis on American manufacturers over those from the home country. It also led to widespread protests in the Boston area, which resulted in British troops being stationed there (and the Boston Massacre, which resulted in the eventual appeal of the Townshend acts). In his 1768 letter “From a Farmer” John Dickenson makes the case against the Townshend acts, and called them unconstitutional and as destructive to the liberty of the colonies as the previous acts (like the revenue and stamp acts). He also mentions how these actors broke precedent in not being based on imposing duties on trade but were rather for the purpose of raising
Between 1763 – 1776, the relationship between the American colonists and the British changed drastically, as tensions rose dramatically. Economic Impact The British had depleted all financial resources to defeat the French during the French and Indian War, “she [Great Britain] was left with a debt of £137 million, over half of the budget going towards interest payments, and a garrison force in America, which cost £384,000 a year to maintain.” Footnote: Francis D. Cogliano, Revolutionary America, 1763-1815: A Political History, (London: Routledge, 2000), 27.
Many colonists were not pleased with the Stamp act. “As to the Stamp Act, tho we purpose doing our endeavor to get it repeal’d. [Document G, Franklin in letter to Hughes]” The Townshend Acts of 1767 were a series of laws which set new import taxes on British goods and used revenues to maintain British troops in America; and to pay the salaries of some Royal officials who were appointed to work in the American colonies. The colonists were not happy with any one of these acts that were inflicted on
Taxes! After the French and Indian War, the British government needed money to pay for the cost of protecting the colonists from the French and Indians. The British government approved several taxes including the Stamp and Tea Acts to help pay for the costs of the war. The colonists were expected to pay these taxes.
Settling in the New World provided both the American settlers and the British government with many opportunities. For the colonists, North America provided an opportunity to improve their lives and escape religious persecution. For the British, settlers in North America provided access to raw materials and new markets in which to sell finished goods. This mercantilist relationship continued for several years, until the colonists began to question Parliament’s right to treat them differently than other British citizens. Taxes were imposed on the colonists as a means of helping to pay the debt Britain had incurred fighting the French.
Due to this The 13 Colonies an later the United States of America is formed today. This essay will be focused on the forming of each of the colonies eventually into a nation. Starting with the New
There was lots of change going on in England around the time of the French and Indian War. Before the war, all the English people and colonists got along fine without any big problems. After the war, however, England was in debt and needed to find a way to pay it off. They immediately decided to start taxing the colonists to make more money. This is what upset the colonists, as it appeared to be taxation without representation.
Before America became it’s own country, the American colonists had to work hard to fight for what they wanted. America didn’t do all its own work, the British helped them to achieve their goal. The British encouraged the American colonists to work harder to become independent by provided them with reasons to fight. Mercantilists believed that colonies existed for the home country, and not for settlers.
Some people would argue that religious concerns were important in the setting of British North America. However, economic concerns were more crucial in establishing the Thirteen Colonies. Some reasons include the pursuit of land, the opportunity for fruitful work and nationalism. In the period 1607-1754, colonists were motivated by the possibility of owning land without sovereignty from the King.
The relationship between Britain and its American colonies was civil at first but began to strain in the mid-1700’s. In the beginning, Britain ruled colonies with little involvement because they were busy dealing with the French and Indian War among other things. As a result of this, the colonies were typically left in charge of themselves with little interference from British authorities. After years of being left alone, the colonists had developed a feeling of freedom and independence. When the war ended there was a significant change in the relations between England and the colonies.
The American colonies established their resistance to the British royal crown, as the ministers of King George III began to impose new taxes trying to reduce debt that incurred during the French and Indian War, aka the Seven Years War (1754-1763). The American
So they start dumping on a number of taxes on the colonist. The first is the Stamp Act of 1765. The Stamp Act puts attacks on legal documents, newspapers, and magazines. The French and Indian war was fought in the colonies, so it only makes sense that the colonies should pay for
The settling of the Northern Colonies began with the arrival of the Pilgrims, or Puritan separatists, to Plymouth. The Massachusetts Bay Colony, led by John Winthrop, was formed shortly after and became known as the "Bible Commonwealth" for its large religious influence. However, religious tensions began to arise with dissidents like Anne Hutchinson and Roger Williams. The Rhode Island Colony was formed as a haven for these dissenters and exiles, and it became known as being strongly liberal and individualistic. The third New England colony, Connecticut, was led by Thomas Hooker and was the first to establish a "modern constitution" through the Fundamental Orders.
The American Revolution would soon follow the French-Indian War, and the harmony between the colonies and Britain would go down the drain in the war that shaped
The American Revolution (1700-1790) was a historical event in time, where the Thirteen Colonies that became the United States of America, gained independence from the British Empire. Many historians would agree that the Revolution was caused by events and the growing differences between the colonists and England. The cause of the American Revolution could be summarized in the saying ‘liberty vs. tyranny’. The American Revolution was a struggle by liberty-loving Americans to free themselves from a dictatorial British rule. In this period, the Colonies protested against the British Empire and entered into the American Revolutionary War, also known as the American War of Independence.
After years of being controlled by the French, the thirteen American colonies thought that the Seven Years War would be their salvation. While the British did defeat the French and gain the territories in the colonies, it was not the answer the colonists were looking for. The British gained complete control over the colonies. The colonies were tired of being restrained and saw a new destiny for themselves: freedom. The results of the Seven Years War were united colonies and a drive for independence.