There were a myriad of differences between Great Britain and her American colonies in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, but these differences can be divided into three basic categories: economic, social, and political. The original American settlers came to the colonies for varied reasons, but a common trait among these settlers was that they still considered themselves British subjects. However, as time passed, the colonists grew disenfranchised from England. Separated from the king by three thousand miles and living in a primitive environment where obtaining simple necessities was a struggle, pragmatism became the common thread throughout all daily life in the colonies. It was this pragmatism that led the colonists to create their own society with a unique culture and system of economics and politics.
The Declaration of Independence refers to “our constitution”, in this respect they were referring to the Ancient British Constitution. The United States was expressing the fundamental aspects of British politics; among these were Classic Republicanism, Enlightenment Liberalism, and Protestant Christianity. In the Declaration they balanced all of these English traditions; expressing what they believed to be the true spirit of the British Constitution. As Edmund Burke would say, “(the Revolution) was carried out not to create new liberties but to preserve old ones” (Wood, p. 58). The main issue that the colonies had with the British following 1763, was England’s belief in the doctrine of
Constitutional and social changes caused the American Revolution. A few of the more important factors will be discussed in this essay. The first item of discussion is the secession of 1860, which was a constitutional development. Some other constitutional developments that caused conflict were the Emancipation Proclamation, three civil rights bills, and the reconstruction. Some social developments that caused conflict were the Freedmen’s Bureau, the Black Codes, and the Ku Klux Klan.
For over a century Great Britain had ruled the colonies in America. Since the founding of the Chesapeake Bay colony in the south in 1607, and the Massachusetts Bay colony in the north in 1630, the colonies had relied on the crown for many of their needs. Over time the colonists established a social and economical system that was almost independent of the British Empire. In April of 1775, after many transgressions on both sides, the colonists decided that they no longer needed, or wanted the support, protection, and leadership of the country that founded them. There were many factors, both immediate, and longstanding that lead to the decision to fight for freedom from British rule.
The Enlightenment and Great Awakening was an intellectual movement where colonials were becoming antiauthoritarian, questioning authority, and the Puritan faith needed a more honorable society that had people who had a desire to be more Christian. Quoted by Rev. Jonathan Edwards a Puritan minister, “Sinners in the hands of an Angry God” is an emotional and descriptive explanation of how god will treat you if you do not repent, which opened the eyes of many colonials. More pilgrims, or people who wanted to separate from the Church of England, were beginning to question the authority given to them from England and whether it was fair or not. This was just the beginning to the unagreeable riots/wars and legislatorial acts pass that led to the American Revolution.
The British also implemented new taxes. The Sugar act of 1764 sought to reduce smuggling, which occurred partly as a result of the earlier Molasses Act. This gave British possessions in the Caribbean the upper hand in sugar trade, which in the British view helped the empire as a whole, but to Americans, and especially the merchants, this put limits on their opportunities. The Currency Act, passed about this time forbade the printing of colonial currency. British merchants benefited because they didn't have to deal with inflated American currencies. The Americans felt they were at an economic disadvantage as very little sterli...
The connection between Britain and the English colonies was that of the ruling of the colonies by the king of Britain, King George III and his parliament. The king’s ruling was very unfavorable for the colonists because of his tyrannic dictatorship and unjustly taxations. The mere thought of an island ruling an entire continent thousands of miles away with poor communication and lack of supervision of the colonies by the king, did not work in favor of the colonies nor for Britain. Three contributing factors for the outbreak of the American Revolution were (1) the king’s taxes, (2) neglect of the 13 colonies and (3) England’s mercantilism policy. King George III and his decisions were one of the major causes that had the English colonists fumed with anger towards Britain and this eventually led to the American Revolution.
“I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!” This was a statement declared by Patrick Henry, a congressman who lived during the time of the Revolution. The quote stood true for many colonists, for the American Revolution was a time of tyranny, treason, and revolution. Though the deteriorating relationship between the British and the American colonists lasted for several years, only a few of the many events that occurred during that period are of the utmost importance. There were several battles fought, papers signed, protests conducted, and taxes repealed. Of these, the three most instrumental causes of the American Revolution would be the Sugar Act, the meetings of the Continental Congress, and
Throughout the revolutionary period, much happened affecting the world to come. Issues took place in political aspects, socioeconomically aspects, and cultural aspects. Some political issues include acts, battles, Dunmore, etcetera. Some socioeconomically issues include woman’s revolutionary movement, boycotts, etcetera. Cultural aspects include paintings, clothing, …
The reasons for the American Revolutionary Movement are diverse and numerous; however, one reason stands above them all: economics. Ever since the first settlers began to colonize the United States, economics have been present as the foundation for the country. Our society today is derived from money matters just as it was in the time before and during the Revolution. The British fighting the French and Indian War was a base for strong financial changes that led to the Revolution. This was closely followed by the Declaratory Act that allowed the taxing of the colonies and the Intolerable Acts made by the British. They all had strong influences in the economics of the country that led to the Revolutionary War.