England During The 1700's Analysis

Colonists during the 1700’s were controlled by England without representation in Parliament. King George III passed multiple acts in order to pay debts from the French and Indian War. There were laws that placed taxes on daily items and required stamps on any legal documents in the American colonies. England felt they could tax their colonies and create a monopoly on trade, however, the colonists felt this violated the rights they had. In order to gain rights, the colonies wanted to be recognized as independent. The colonists were justified in declaring independence from Britain.
Parliament was unwilling to listen or negotiate with the American colonies. Included in the Declaration of Independece is a List of Grievances against King George III. The most important points were, “For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world: For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent” (National Archives). The King had the ability to control the empires he ruled, however, the colonists had no say in the creation of laws that were placed on them. The phrase “No taxation without representation” was largely used during the mid-1700’s and this problem became a major factor for the colonies who were wanting independence.

In the article The Revoluting Truth by Malcolm Gladwell, he states that a colonial leader called the Britons the oppressors. This was ironic because of the fact that slavery was a huge issue in the colonies. However, in this document, Gladwell also says the colonists fight for independence was, “Ungrateful New Worlders who persistantly refused to contribute...toward the defense and upkeep of their newly claimed continent”(Gladwell). This is untrue because the colonists were able to defend their land and during the Revolution, Britain was said to have the upper hand. The colonists were so determined to become an independent country and ended up winning the