Changes

In 1770, the [[British Empire]] was the greatest in the world, and it continued to grow in power through the 1800s.  The idea that 13 different colonies with tiny armies and a divided populations - a large percentage of which were pacifist Quakers - could defeat the mighty British would have been absurd in 1770.  But this unlikely victory came true.  The story of this epic struggle for freedom is the story of the American Revolution.

In 1770, the [[British Empire]] was the greatest in the world, and it continued to grow in power through the 1800s.  The idea that 13 different colonies with tiny armies and a divided populations - a large percentage of which were pacifist Quakers - could defeat the mighty British would have been absurd in 1770.  But this unlikely victory came true.  The story of this epic struggle for freedom is the story of the American Revolution.

Years before war broke out, tension was growing between England and her colonies.  King George III controlled parliament much more than preceding monarchs, and his changes facilitated attempts to gain additional revenue from the colonies.  This was accomplished through higher taxes and restrictive trade laws which oppressed the colonies.  We’ve already discussed the institution of the Proclamation Act, but not its consequences.

Years before war broke out, tension was growing between England and her colonies.  King George III controlled parliament much more than preceding monarchs had, and his changes facilitated attempts to gain additional revenue from the colonies.  This was accomplished through higher taxes and restrictive trade laws which oppressed the colonies.  We've already discussed the institution of the Proclamation Act, and now we need to discuss its consequences.

The Proclamation Act was a terrible problem for the colonies.  90% of the colonial economy depended on farming in 1763.  Farmers needed land to grow valuable crops of tobacco, corn, rice, indigo, and wheat, but the Proclamation Act confined them to the land they already had in the colonies.  The other 10% of the economy involved fishing and whaling in New England and timber, but the overwhelming majority of colonists were farmers, and the Proclamation Act was detrimental to their growth.

The Proclamation Act imposed an enormous burden on the colonies.  When it passed in 1763, 90% of the colonial economy depended on farming.  Farmers needed land to grow valuable crops of tobacco, corn, rice, indigo, and wheat, but the Proclamation Act confined them to the land they already had in the colonies.  The other 10% of the colonial economy involved fishing and whaling in New England and timber, but the overwhelming majority of colonists were farmers, and the Proclamation Act was detrimental to their growth.

In addition, many colonists felt that the Proclamation Act was simply unfair.  They had worked hard fighting the French and Indian Wars, but now England was denying them the territory they had won.

In addition, many colonists felt that the Proclamation Act was simply unfair.  They had worked hard fighting the French and Indian Wars, but now England was denying them the territory they had won.

The situation was similar to today’s problem with new Israeli settlements in areas claimed by Palestinians.  Like the Israeli settlers, colonists were angry at this restriction, and ignored it.  Frontiers continued to expand westward.

The situation was similar to today's problem with new Israeli settlements in areas claimed by Palestinians.  Like the Israeli settlers, colonists were angry at this restriction, and ignored it.  Frontiers continued to expand westward.

 

The first true crisis began around 1763 when Parliament allocated money to maintain a standing army in the colonies.  At first, this change did not arouse much anger, since there was already an army in America.  Problems began when Grenville gave naval officers authority to enforce customs regulations.  More than 1500 ships began to patrol American waters.  This new vigilance on Britain's part was early evidence of her changing relationship to her colonies, foreshadowing the greater tension to come.

The first true crisis began around 1763 when Parliament allocated money to maintain a standing army in the colonies.  At first, this change did not arouse much anger, since there was already an army in America.  Problems began when Grenville gave naval officers authority to enforce customs regulations.  More than 1500 ships began to patrol American waters.  This new vigilance on Britain's part was early evidence of her changing relationship to her colonies, foreshadowing the greater tension to come.

Now that a new Prime Minister was in power who wanted peace, and wanted the colonies to pay their share of the war costs, colonists were burdened by strictly enforced taxes.  

Now that a new Prime Minister was in power who wanted peace, and wanted the colonies to pay their share of the war costs, colonists were burdened by strictly enforced taxes.  

The first of these was the Sugar Act.  As its name suggests, this act imposed taxes on sugar, but that was not it full extent.  The Sugar Act placed stricter regulations on all shipping, stopped the colonies from importing rum, and lowered molasseses tariffs.  The British made no secret of the fact that the purpose of the Sugar Act was to make money: "Whereas it is expedient that new provisions and regulations should be established for improving the revenue of this kingdom...: and whereas it is just and necessary that a revenue be raised in you majesty's said dominions in America, for defraying the expenses of defending, protecting, and securing the same; we...have resolved to give and grant unto your majesty the several rates and duties herein after mentioned."

The first of these was the Sugar Act.  As its name suggests, this act imposed taxes on sugar, but that was not it full extent.  The Sugar Act placed stricter regulations on all shipping, stopped the colonies from importing rum, and lowered molasses tariffs.  The British made no secret of the fact that the purpose of the Sugar Act was to make money: "Whereas it is expedient that new provisions and regulations should be established for improving the revenue of this kingdom...: and whereas it is just and necessary that a revenue be raised in you majesty's said dominions in America, for defraying the expenses of defending, protecting, and securing the same; we...have resolved to give and grant unto your majesty the several rates and duties herein after mentioned."

Grenville humiliated the colonists with legal intrusions: writs of assistance to search businesses without a court order or warrant.  He violated ancient rights.   

Grenville humiliated the colonists with legal intrusions: writs of assistance to search businesses without a court order or warrant.  He violated ancient rights.   

All of these played an important part in making colonists ready to fight and win.  The single greatest factor was the changes Britain made in her policy toward the colonies.

All of these played an important part in making colonists ready to fight and win.  The single greatest factor was the changes Britain made in her policy toward the colonies.

Independence was inevitable for America, as with other British colonies, but came quicker than for most.  

Independence was inevitable for America, as with other British colonies, but came quicker than for most.

==The American Revolution==

==The American Revolution==