Many factors influences the American rebellion known as the American Revolution. Though political influences existed, the American Revolution was primarily an economic rebellion, because of conflict over taxation and representation in Parliament. The colonists had strong beliefs that the English government was unfair and often tyrannical. The conflicts over trade, taxes, and government representation brought about the revolution that began shaping the United States as it is
There were many parliamentary measures that were affecting most seriously the North American colonies from 1764 to 1774.The parliamentary measures that could be consider as most important ones during this 10 year period are: Sugar, Currency, Stamp, Quartering, Declaratory, Townshend, Tea, and Coercive Acts. By the cause of these parliamentary measures there was a push back from the colonies either by not obeying the law or by protesting against them. Some of the measures such as the Townshend and Stamp Acts were cut back because of the colonies unwillingness to obey them. The measures contributed to high political tensions between the Colonies and England. England had to be able to sustain their colonies so, The Parliament, desiring revenue from its North American colonies, passed the Sugar Act law specifically aimed to raise colonial money for the English Crown.
The French and Indian War was fought by the British and the French. This war caused many issues between the American colonies and Britian because of the things the British were doing to the Americans during the war. Economically, the British were doing things ideologically, and politically, as well. After the war, the British were trying to find a way to get back all the money they spent on the war. The English did not have much money aand it did not help the British much.
Using the mercantilist system, the governments of Spain and England intervened in the trade of their respective colonies constantly in order to gain wealth. The British government regulated their colonies’ economy through government-endorsed joint-stock companies. By regulating the companies that founded the colonies, they were able to regulate much of the imports and exports of the colonies. The Spanish government, however, intervened directly into the economy by imposing laws and taxes that encouraged economic standards that were beneficial to Spain’s economy. The political systems of the Spanish viceroyalties and the British colonies varied greatly.
As a result, the tension throughout the colonies, eventually led to the First American Revolution. However, at that time in Colonial Virginia, the lax laws were no longer effective in establishing clear policies to deal with problems or to instill new lifeblood into the province’s economy. Simply put, the problems that affected the population before Bacon’s Rebellion gave strength to Nathaniel Bacon. The nature of Bacon’s Rebellion does seem to be the beginnings of America’s quest for independence; however, this was more a coincidence. Closer examination of this period in history illustrates what Jamestown’s condition was a power struggle between two distinct personalities that nearly destroyed Jamestown.
Although the colonists sustained a connection to Britain for more than a decade after the British victory in the French and Indian War, the strategies Parliament implemented to strengthen their hold on the colonies and pay off war debts, as well as their provincial views towards the colonists, primed the American colonies for independence as relations between Britain and its colonies began to sour. The changing perceptions the British and Colonists had toward one another played a crucial part in the eventual split of the British nation, as the colonists started seeing themselves as a different breed from their English relations. During the French and Indian War, this was especially seen in the relationship between a soldier and his general. General Edward Bradock, appointed to direct colonial troops in the Americas, saw his soldiers as provincials who were not able to protect themselves from the French threat. He refused to take crucial advice from respected American advisors, and as a result ended up being ambushed by Indians and defeated.
The war also doubled Britain’s debt which led to the passing of the Sugar Act, which taxed sugar going into the colonies. The colonists believed they needed representation in order to be taxed and therefore didn’t want to pay any new taxes which led to reduced trade and protests as the colonial economy suffered. As a result the British passed the Quartering Act, sending more troops in, as well as the Currency Act and the Stamp Act, which gave Britain control over the colonial economy and established more taxes. The Committee of Correspondence was established as a result of the Currency Act to coordinate action against Britain. As a result of the Stamp Act the sons and daughters of liberty were formed; they led resistance efforts to end the Stamp Act.
8th That the late Act of Parliament, entitled, "An Act for Granting and applying certain Stamp Duties, and other Duties in the British Colonies and Plantations in America &c by imposing Taxes on the Inhabitants of these Colonies, and the said Act, and several other Acts, by extending the Jurisdiction of the Courts of Admiralty, beyond its Ancient limits, have a Manifest tendency to Subvert the Rights, and liberties of the Colonists.... 11th That the Restrictions imposed by several late Acts of Parliament on the Trade of these Colonies, will render them unable to purchase the Manufactures of Great Britain. 12th That the Increase Prosperity and happiness of these Colonies, depend on the full and free Enjoyment of their Rights and Liberties, and an Intercourse with Great Britain mutually Affectionate and Advantageous. 13th That it is the Right of the British Subjects in these Colonies to Petition the King, or either House of
But British often adopted coercive techniques to achieve these goals. Britain was worried with American industry and possible competition. Moreover England was seeking new sources of money for covering the immense was debt and so they decide to tax the colonies. The British established many different acts according to which the Americans had to pay very much for necessary goods. New taxes
Elizabeth made up a lot of debt mainly by fighting the war with Spain which didn’t end until 1604 and so James had to spend some of the governmental money on funding this war. James also wasn’t very good at political debated or talking to the English parliament as they weren’t keen on his favourable Scots so this led to tension there and them not wanting to help fund the war on Spain now James was king. However id James had worked on getting rid of Elizabeth’s debt from the war, monopolies and purveyance then the economy in England would have been more stable. James had financial issues which were down to Elizabeth and what he inherited from her. In source 1 Smith states that “The Spanish war imposed heavy burdens on the country” which is shown in the fact Elizabeth incurred debts of ‘£300,000 a year in ordinary revenue’, and her expedition in the new world lost the English over £5,000 and gave henry iv of France £20,000 to gain his loyalty.