Opposition to the Establishment of the American Colonies

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Recommended: The impact of the French and Indian war

In this chapter Howard Zinn goes into detail about how the American Revolution was faced with opposition and conflict while trying to establish the Colonies. In spite of the oppositions there was still considerable growth and expansion by the Colonies. Although expansion had taken place, there were some differences between the elites and the poor whites among the Colonies which resulted in them wanting political freedom from Britain. The constant unjust treatment against the poor whites was causing major problems in the colonies. After the French had been defeated, the British authorities decided to take stricter measurements over the colonies, in order to help pay for the French and Indian War. Zinn writes that “the war had brought glory for the generals, death to the privates and wealth for the merchants and unemployment for the poor” (Zinn. pg. 60). It was also stated that since the war there was an increase number of beggars’ and poor people roaming the streets. Many of the poor were taken advantage of by the wealthy landowners by attacking the rules regarding land ownership and tenant farming. This sparked an uprising against the wealthy over the unfairness policies toward the poor. Throughout the colonies the poor white were rising up against the wealthy, Zinn states in this chapter that “The land rioters saw their battle as poor against rich” (Zinn. pg. 63). The Landowners used their power and resources to drive away the farmers, some of them were removed from their land because of tax delinquency. “It was stated that landowners had an equitable Title but could not be defended in a Course of Law because they were poor, and poor men were always oppressed by the rich” (Zinn pg. 63). The unfair treatment sparked a ... ... middle of paper ... ... Americans, ignoring others” (pg. 73). There were still problems between the rich and the poor in spite of them joining forces to gain their Independence for Britain. The rich just like today have total control because they are able to use their resources to work in their favor. Zinn states that after the reading of the declaration there was a military draft for the townsmen, the wealthy had the resources to pay someone to take their places unlike the poor could not afford to pay someone to take their places they had no other option but to serve. Again this caused more problems between the rich and the poor because of the unfairness of the situation. Which lead to continued separation among the classes of people, giving the opinion that the one with the most money has the power to rule. Some of the same problems that existed then are still prevalent today.

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