England, France and Spain had massive colonies in the New World in the 1700’s, however by the start of the 1800’s, these European powers had little or no control in this section of the world. Multiple factors contributed to the individual downfalls of the European rule in the New World. Multifarious wars became the epicenter for the political, social and economic turbulence that brought about the rebellions that we see lead to the eventual loss of the colonial empires that the European powers once had. To understand why the European powers lost all of the territory that they once controlled you have to look at the history preceding their forced exodus out of the New World. The European problems stemmed from the constant stream of wars, which
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(Elliot 3). These wars originated from the interior of Europe, but began spilling over into their respected colonies, and then further into other European strongholds such as in the Caribbean, India, and Africa. We see this specifically with the Seven Years War in showing one of the first examples of a truly globally inclusive warfare, being referred to by Winston Churchill as the “first world war” (Crash Course- The Seven Years War). During most of the 100 years between 1700-1800, the European powers were constantly engaged in these wars, draining them politically, economically and socially. This progression of inconclusive wars begins with War of Spanish Succession, followed by the War of Quadruple Alliance, War of Jenkins Ear, Austrian Succession and finally the Seven Years War. These wars created constant political instability in Europe and abroad, racked massive dept, and created a progressively more competitive global system (Houck 10/24/16). Seven Wars war however proved to be the most …show more content…
We see this with England, arguably the most wealthily in territories and resources following the Seven Years War. Examples of England struggling economically and politically, to maintain control, are seen in their defensive plans to keep their colonies protected. While the English were predominantly the sole holders of America following the Treaty of Paris, French and Spanish colonist still remained with outposts and along the Proclamation Line, causing quarrels and the potentiality of another war (Elliot 6). The Seven Years war “exposed major structural weaknesses” in the colonies militia and government power (Elliot 295) . The English Board of Trade realized that the colonial militias wouldn’t be able to handle another attack from the French, so in return decided to send its own army units and generals to monitor the threat of war (Houck 10/24/16). This however is costly, and the Board places taxes on both the English in the metropolis and also on the colonies, to pay for the debt accumulated in the previous wars and the preemptive wars they are now catering for. The Stamp Act was therefore created in hopes to pump money back into the British system (Crash Course-American Revolution). This shows not only the economic pressure that war had laid on the British but also the political mindset that showcases the commercial interest of
(Elliot 3). These wars originated from the interior of Europe, but began spilling over into their respected colonies, and then further into other European strongholds such as in the Caribbean, India, and Africa. We see this specifically with the Seven Years War in showing one of the first examples of a truly globally inclusive warfare, being referred to by Winston Churchill as the “first world war” (Crash Course- The Seven Years War). During most of the 100 years between 1700-1800, the European powers were constantly engaged in these wars, draining them politically, economically and socially. This progression of inconclusive wars begins with War of Spanish Succession, followed by the War of Quadruple Alliance, War of Jenkins Ear, Austrian Succession and finally the Seven Years War. These wars created constant political instability in Europe and abroad, racked massive dept, and created a progressively more competitive global system (Houck 10/24/16). Seven Wars war however proved to be the most …show more content…
We see this with England, arguably the most wealthily in territories and resources following the Seven Years War. Examples of England struggling economically and politically, to maintain control, are seen in their defensive plans to keep their colonies protected. While the English were predominantly the sole holders of America following the Treaty of Paris, French and Spanish colonist still remained with outposts and along the Proclamation Line, causing quarrels and the potentiality of another war (Elliot 6). The Seven Years war “exposed major structural weaknesses” in the colonies militia and government power (Elliot 295) . The English Board of Trade realized that the colonial militias wouldn’t be able to handle another attack from the French, so in return decided to send its own army units and generals to monitor the threat of war (Houck 10/24/16). This however is costly, and the Board places taxes on both the English in the metropolis and also on the colonies, to pay for the debt accumulated in the previous wars and the preemptive wars they are now catering for. The Stamp Act was therefore created in hopes to pump money back into the British system (Crash Course-American Revolution). This shows not only the economic pressure that war had laid on the British but also the political mindset that showcases the commercial interest of