WAR OF INDEPENDENCE - BRITISH VIEW

War of Independence - British view

War of Independence - British view

Introduction

There were many events and disagreements that led to the American War of Independence. The war erupted only twelve years after the Seven Years' War and many problems can be linked to this war which had left Britain's economy severely depleted.

The Seven Years' War had involved a large effort from Britain to maintain its territories in America thus protecting its colonists. Britain felt that the colonists should help to pay for the cost of the war effort.

Discussion

After the war in 1763 Britain tried to step in and increase its rule over its colonies. At the same time the colonies were trying to increase their power. This was sure to cause problems as the colonists had grown a resentment to interference.

Britain went on to tax the colonists by passing a series of acts. There was a great outcry against the Sugar or Revenue Act of 1764 which put a tax on sugar, molasses, textiles and many other items and restricted their trade freedom. "Everywhere in towns and villages, the matter was discussed in large and small groups by merchants, politicians and shopkeepers. It had become a matter of principle people should not be taxed unless they have representation in the government that decide the tax."

Not only in the Sugar Act, but in the Stamp Act as well were the colonists frustrated. This act, passed in March 1765, placed a tax on newspapers, pamphlets, legal documents and other stationary. They did not object to taxes as much as they did to being taxed without representation and consent."It is essential to the freedom of a people that no taxes be imposed on them, but with their own consent, given personally, or by their representatives."

William Pitt's propaganda pamphlet entitled "Pitt's Response to the Stamp Act" puts forward yet another view on the taxation issue. He pointed out "that the profits to Great Britain from the trade of the colonies are two millions a year. This is the fund that carried you triumphantly through the last war ... this is the price America pays you for its protection." He is saying that Britain was making so much money from the colonies that they should not be trying to tax them further.

A further reason for the colonists to object to the Stamp Act was section LVII which stated "Offences committed ... shall and may be prosecuted in any court of vice admiralty" This meant "that infringement of these Acts was punishable in admiralty courts, whereas Americans believed that it was their right as Englishmen to be tried by juries of their peers." They saw this as another move by Britain to rob them of their rights.

Between1765 and 1774 the British Parliament passed and repealed several acts all aimed at increasing control in the colonies. By now the colonists were enraged and had decided that Britain was a monster trying to enslave the people and steal their ...