Feeding the Fire of Revolution
In the year 1750 the American settlers, saw themselves as both British and Colonists, and saw no conflict between their two identities (Roark 125). However in a few short years the British would be colliding with the previously British colonists in the Revolutionary War. What caused this revolution? Britain sparked the colonists to a revolution, by violating the rights the colonists believed they had as British citizens. Britain taxed the colonies, even though the colonists were not represented in the British governing bodies. Instead of compromising with the rebels, Britain punished them, feeding the Revolutionary flame. In their attempt to subjugate the colonists, Britain brought the Colonists under military rule, thus ruining any chance to peacefully keep the colonies.
According to British tradition taxes were to be levied by the peoples’ representatives (Roark, 138). The Colonists did not believe that the distant British governing body could represent them. However British Prime Minister Sir George Greenville established the principle of “virtual representation” stating that the House of Commons represented all British citizens, including the colonists. Therefore when the Stamp Act was passed in February 1765, to further diminish the Seven Years War debt, …show more content…
To punish Boston for destroying the tea, Britain passed the four Coercive Acts. Along with the Quebec Act, which gave Ohio land to Catholic French, the Coercive Acts were deemed the Intolerable Acts. The four Coercive Acts punished Massachusetts, by closing the Boston port, removing Massachusetts’ right to local government, and establishing military rule (Roark, 149). With their right to govern themselves removed once already, all the colonists questioned the legitimacy of their liberties provided by Britain. Therefore, the colonists prepared for a war for their
In the year 1750 the American settlers, saw themselves as both British and Colonists, and saw no conflict between their two identities (Roark 125). However in a few short years the British would be colliding with the previously British colonists in the Revolutionary War. What caused this revolution? Britain sparked the colonists to a revolution, by violating the rights the colonists believed they had as British citizens. Britain taxed the colonies, even though the colonists were not represented in the British governing bodies. Instead of compromising with the rebels, Britain punished them, feeding the Revolutionary flame. In their attempt to subjugate the colonists, Britain brought the Colonists under military rule, thus ruining any chance to peacefully keep the colonies.
According to British tradition taxes were to be levied by the peoples’ representatives (Roark, 138). The Colonists did not believe that the distant British governing body could represent them. However British Prime Minister Sir George Greenville established the principle of “virtual representation” stating that the House of Commons represented all British citizens, including the colonists. Therefore when the Stamp Act was passed in February 1765, to further diminish the Seven Years War debt, …show more content…
To punish Boston for destroying the tea, Britain passed the four Coercive Acts. Along with the Quebec Act, which gave Ohio land to Catholic French, the Coercive Acts were deemed the Intolerable Acts. The four Coercive Acts punished Massachusetts, by closing the Boston port, removing Massachusetts’ right to local government, and establishing military rule (Roark, 149). With their right to govern themselves removed once already, all the colonists questioned the legitimacy of their liberties provided by Britain. Therefore, the colonists prepared for a war for their