"Liberty: The American Revolution." Based on the first chapter of this video series, what factors are creating the transition from loyal subjects to Revolutionaries?
One major factor are the acts and taxes placed on items. The stamp act was a big one that drove people crazy. The colonists did not agree that they should not have a say in the taxes placed for them within their own colonies. Britain was taking charge and created taxes for America which enraged the colonies. The colonists fought back by retaliating and rebelling against their taxes and laws, which would only anger Britain as well. The colonists were also very upset that the wealthy of the colonists were treated differently than the wealthy back in England. The unfairness that the colonists felt was going on was the major reasoning for the loyal subjects to transition into Revolutionaries.
Stamp Act would definitely be key as this was viewed as an intrusive tax. The elites of the colonies would not take kindly to being looked down upon by the aristocracy of England, as well.
In the beginning, colonists were loyal subjects to the British crown; they were proud to be British. However, as time passed certain factors initiated a transition from loyal subjects to revolutionaries. First, colonists felt that they were treated with condescension by British citizens. When colonists like Benjamin Franklin visited the mother country they were treated as inferior individuals despite their prestige in the colonies. The enforcement of British taxes on the colonies intensified the colonists’ hurt feelings toward the crown. The imposed Stamp, Declaratory, and Townshend Acts gave the colonists the impression that England viewed them as not worthy of being consulted, and confirmed their low social rank in England; they had been reduced to the same status as “civilly emasculate” people (those with no public role) like servants, slaves, children, and women. The flames of revolution were ignited within the colonists, who turned to boycotts of British goods and violent protests. Damaging Britain’s economy through boycotts was the most effective response and became a multi-colonial and multi-social class event. Women were important contributors to the boycotting movements as they learned skills such as knitting to create the textiles that would replace those imported from England. The presence of British troops in the colonies propelled the transition from subjects to revolutionaries even further. The Boston Massacre is evidence of this: Bostonians threw snowballs at a group of British troops, who opened fire on the colonists, killing 5. This fueled the colonists’ dislike for the British and propelled the revolution further.
Excellent response, Emily. In particular, you focus on simply being treated second class is perceptive as this seemed to be the consistent them of all actions by Britain that upset the colonists.
From loyal subjects to Revolutionaries we see the bond between England and the colonies fall apart due to the fact that England brings it upon themselves. The factors include a small tax going directly to England. The first act to be started was the Stamp Act which angered the colonists as they are not being consulted. Many ones including George Washington, come to the conclusion that parliament has no right without consent that laws be made without themselves having an input. Colonists want to shift to be govern by themselves The class system plays a role as those who have a high status in the New World are known in England as reduced Americans to the same status of servants in England- no public representation.The power to tax was the power to destroy. Declaratory act- Britain made laws for the American colonies in what way they saw fit. In response the colonists were going to boycott any British goods. Commoners and gentlemen classes the ones who still have strong ties to the mother land and those who want change. Change is key, taking a role in the form of protest activity, the British thought they would solve the problem by sending troops to Boston to have order. Social Order- England. In New England everyone owns something to be proud of and does not want all of it to go away due to unnecessary taxes.
Your response indicates the key issue of discontent, which is 'taxation without representation,' which seems to designate the colonists as no better that the status of slaves to the English Crown. This will be the "last straw" of the elites in the colonies who will come to lead the Revolution. Part of the problem, Ashley, is that the colonists had been used to governing themselves and now England was threatening that.
Within the seven years that spanned between the end of the French and Indian war and the Boston Massacre, neither the Colonists or the English foresaw the major shift in loyalties that would soon run rampant throughout Colonial America. Colonists lived as though they still resided in England and were tremendously proud of this heritage. Nonetheless, a major change occurred after tension was created between the Colonists and the English. The most widely known reason for these tensions was taxation without representation. England’s creation of various taxes intended to pay for their debt in the French and Indian war only angered Colonists who were not consulted on the matter. Seeing as they had always had the freedom to make their own governments and laws—and therefore tax themselves as they saw fit—they felt stripped of their rights. Gentleman arguably took the greatest offense to this lack of representation seeing as only woman, children and slaves went unrepresented in government at the time. Loyalties to England took another turn as key revolutionary thinkers and leaders evolved. Despite the large accomplishments of George Washington in the French and Indian war, or the experiments and writings of Ben Franklin at the time, high ranked British still considered them commoners. Because of this, Washington and Franklin—as well as many other colonists—started to thirst for an end to the British hierarchy and essentially the idea of equal opportunity for all. These ground breaking events and the metamorphosis of the mindsets of Colonists at this time undoubtably shook their loyalties to England.
Excellent response! No doubt the central cause of the American Revolution is 'taxation without representation,' but the snubbing of the colonial elite by England will be key to the colonial aristocracy leading the rebellion.
Based on the first chapter of the video, a great factor that made loyal British colonists become Revolutionaries is the taxation British Parliament put in place without informing the American governments. The Stamp Act was forced upon the America's. The colonists living in America, who had been governing themselves for years, were angry with British parliament because they could give no input on the tax and had no representation. In England the only people who were not represented were servants, women, slaves, and children. Taxation without representation put the loyal British colonists on the same level as those not being represented in England. A revolution in America got British Parliament to repeal the Stamp Act; however, another act is put in place to tax glass, lead, paint, paper, and most importantly tea. America, especially the elite British colonists, retaliated by boycotting all English goods and cut off trade with England. Riots in America exploded, proving to England that they needed to be controlled. British Parliament sends in troops to police the streets and keep things in America in order-this resulted in the death of 5 colonists, this event was named the Boston Massacre. British colonists were beginning to notice bad traits of Parliament, that they did not notice before.
Very good, Brooke. Taxation without representation is key, because not only are the taxes considered intrusive to a people who are used to governing themselves, but it places the colonists on the same plane as those who are arbitrarily ruled and looked down upon, such as slave. Your focus on continued taxation, despite protests and the eventual tension that leads to the Boston Massacre is well-described as well.
Many factors contributed to the transition of the American colonists from loyal British subjects to angered revolutionaries, but the primary irritation of the colonists stemmed from their treatment as second-rate citizens by the British. Even within England itself, notable American citizens such as Benjamin Franklin were treated as nothing more than commoners. The snobbish attitudes of the British aristocracy irritated educated people such as Franklin. These same snobbish attitudes quickly led to the passing of several tax acts without colonial consent. The Stamp Act and Declaratory Act, along with several others, sent the colonists into a frenzy. Taxation without representation, as it became known, was a key theme of the revolution. Colonists were angered that Parliament was unwilling to consult them on such matters. The colonists were accustomed to their own, self-governed society. The British, seeing nothing wrong with the taxation of the colonies following the French and Indian War, felt no need to consult the colonists, nor did they care to. Taxation without representation reduced the colonists to the level of "women, children, servants, and slaves," as these were the unrepresented classes in Britain. Riots broke out in the colonies, pressuring Britain to send a policing body of troops to America. Thousands of British "redcoats" were sent to the colonies to govern the rowdy colonists. Events such as the Boston Massacre furthered colonial resentment toward the British. Even those who were most loyal to the British Empire began to see the corruption within the system of British rule. Five years after the Boston Massacre, the American Revolution officially began -- the ultimate result of colonial irritation.
Excellent response, Eric. As you state, the 'taxation without representation' grievance is connected to the notion that the colonists are simply not regarded as equals by the British crown. This leads to violent protest, which leads to British attempts to police the discontent, which leads to bloodshed and eventual revolution.
Though many factors lead to the transition from a loyalist position to a separatist attitude, they can largely be categorized into one idea. The mere existence of English governance within the colonies. Until 1765 when the Stamp Act was enforced upon the colonies, Parliament hadn't made any laws directed towards the colonies. What colonists seemed to be most satisfied with was the passive attitude the English crown had shown towards the colonies as far as any form of governance. Even when Ben Franklin visited Britain as an ambassador, he was, at first, enamored at the sight of the old country. However, the more he sees of the social hierarchy and the English social order, the less he appreciates what he sees. Especially after he visits Scotland and Ireland. By comparison, perhaps the colonies were more or less spoiled by the lack of taxation for their century and a half existence. To be fair, the English had been rather tattered internally by cause of the English Civil War (1642-1651) and continuous onsets of plague. So, when the English (British as of the 1707 Acts of Union) finally got around to actually governing the colonies, the colonists were not very enthusiastic. Even though the Seven Year's War was fought, largely on their behalf, the colonists were not eager to foot the long end of the bill. Although the governance of the colonies was long overdue on the part of the British, they didn't go about it in the best way. Taxation without representation was the colonists' strongest case against the British leading up to Revolution. The colonies had been self-governing since their establishment. The intrusion of a governing body from an ocean away was somewhat condescending to colonial elite. Although Colonial resistance was, for the most part, peaceful until the Boston Massacre, boycotts were an effective way to quell British taxation, for a little while. For each tax that was repealed, Parliament seemed to always have one to replace it. This lack of representation equated the colonies to children, slaves, peasants, and women in Britain. The greatest possible insult. Revolution from Britain was inevitable. The only reason the colonists were “proud to be British” was because the British neglected to govern until 1765. The only way Britain could have maintained moral in the colonies would be to continue their policy of administrative neglect.
Excellent response! What is key to your response was that the colonists had been largely left to govern themselves and resented British intrusion upon their polices, particularly with the notion of 'taxation without representation.' The boycotts would repeal taxes, but others were passed to replace those that were repealed. Perhaps, the colonists should have been willing to 'foot' some of the bill from the French and Indian War, but the way in which Parliament went about doing so greatly upset colonial sensibilities concerning self-government.
Many factors lead the loyal colonists of the new world into becoming a revolutionists leading rebellion in against the English government. The socially unaccepted rich colonists that came from poor backgrounds, always wanted to achieve the social hierarchy that many of the rich in England achieve through inheriting much of their money. They wanted the clothing they wore and they wanted the rich lavish life styles that they (The english) had including furniture, clothing, horses and carriages, etc. Although the colonists acquired many of these things they were still deemed as lesser, this created a social fissure between the colonists and the english common folk. The main rage came from the the Stamp act, post the French and Indian war, it was put in place in-order to pay the the war. The colonists were enraged, they quickly voiced their opinion of the act, they soon ceased trade with England and a boycott was put into place. This was the act that taxed the colonists was put into place, although repealed many acts followed in its place (Declaratory,Townshend Act, and the Tea Act). They lead to a general feeling of the colonists being treated like no more than a woman or child, this lead to mass riots occurred in the streets. Most of the riots centered in the city of Boston, were the tax collectors would be harassed, killed, or tar and feathered. The the rage within the colonists continued as many of colonists continued to boycott goods imported from England. Theses acts lead up to the Boston tea party and soon followed the Boston Massacre. The fire of the colonists raged on after these events and soon it ignited a war, that would lead to the American independence.
Good content in post, Ryan. You brought up the two key issues, second class treatment and taxation without representation. Please proofread your written responses, however.
Many factors contributed to the colonists transitioning from loyalists to revolutionaries. Rich colonists, despite their wealth, were looked down upon by English elites because they were not from 'old money'. Because apparently earning your wealth is not as good, something the colonists did not take kindly to being disgraced for. The passage of tax acts (the Stamp Act, the Townshend Act, and the Tea Act) angered colonists further- not so much the fact that they were being taxed, but rather because England was not allowing them (the colonists) to tax themselves (Taxation without representation). Despite the repeal of some such acts, colonists felt as if they were being treated unlike citizens, but the same way women, children, slaves, and servants were treated. A boycott was put in place, even involving commoners- unheard of for the time, considering it was typically nobility who handled such rebellions. Many riots occurred, namely in Boston, where tax collectors lived in fear of harassment or murder (even tar and feathering). The tension in the colonies peaked come the Boston Tea Party, and later the Boston 'Massacre'. Events large and small contributed to the rebellion of the colonies against Britain.
There were many factors pushed the colonists into the transition from loyalists to revolutionaries. One of these push factors was the way the colonists were looked upon as lesser than the people of England. Even if the colonists were considered elite or rich in the colonies, they were looked down upon by the English elites because they were not considered to be from "Old Money." The colonists were being treated as "second class," no matter their social or economic status in the colonies. Another driving factor which led to the transition from loyalists to revolutionaries was taxation without representation. The colonists anger grew towards England as taxes were being imposed on them, but no one from the colonies had any say in the matter. With the lesser treatment, as well as the taxation without representation, the colonists transitioned from loyalists into revolutionaries.
I like your 'inherited wealth' comment in this response. Well done. You clearly indicated two sources of conflict, taxation without representation, but also simply England not viewing the colonists as equals.
The colonists transforming from loyalists to revolutionaries took only a few obstacles that seemed harmless to the British. The Stamp Act and the Boston Port Act are two prime examples of events which lead the colonists to wanting to break away from Britain. The Stamp Act forced the colonists to print any document on a specially stamped paper and if the colonists did not compl they could be sent to jail. The Boston Port Act closed the Boston Harbor which was the main way for Bostonians to trade with the outside world. Now any trade that they wished to be sent or received had to go through Britain before making its final destination to either the colonies or the country being traded with Another event making the colonist and British tension increase was the Quartering Act which required colonists to let British troops live in their homes and making the colonists feel threatened and uncomfortable in their own homes. Also this caused many people to not like the "red coats" and want them gone which leads to the Boston Massacre where British troops fired on a group of colonists outside the Customs House. After the massacre Paul Revere created his famous engraving depicting a group of British soldiers firing on the "innocent" colonists which resulted in 5 dead, arguably 6 though the 6th death was 10 years after the incident. Colonists also would harass tax collectors and threaten them with torture and murder such as tarring and feathering which caused many tax collectors to fear for their lives and also quit there jobs because they did not want to deal with the unruly colonists.
One major factor are the acts and taxes placed on items. The stamp act was a big one that drove people crazy. The colonists did not agree that they should not have a say in the taxes placed for them within their own colonies. Britain was taking charge and created taxes for America which enraged the colonies. The colonists fought back by retaliating and rebelling against their taxes and laws, which would only anger Britain as well. The colonists were also very upset that the wealthy of the colonists were treated differently than the wealthy back in England. The unfairness that the colonists felt was going on was the major reasoning for the loyal subjects to transition into Revolutionaries.
ReplyDeleteStamp Act would definitely be key as this was viewed as an intrusive tax. The elites of the colonies would not take kindly to being looked down upon by the aristocracy of England, as well.
Delete
ReplyDeleteIn the beginning, colonists were loyal subjects to the British crown; they were proud to be British. However, as time passed certain factors initiated a transition from loyal subjects to revolutionaries. First, colonists felt that they were treated with condescension by British citizens. When colonists like Benjamin Franklin visited the mother country they were treated as inferior individuals despite their prestige in the colonies. The enforcement of British taxes on the colonies intensified the colonists’ hurt feelings toward the crown. The imposed Stamp, Declaratory, and Townshend Acts gave the colonists the impression that England viewed them as not worthy of being consulted, and confirmed their low social rank in England; they had been reduced to the same status as “civilly emasculate” people (those with no public role) like servants, slaves, children, and women.
The flames of revolution were ignited within the colonists, who turned to boycotts of British goods and violent protests. Damaging Britain’s economy through boycotts was the most effective response and became a multi-colonial and multi-social class event. Women were important contributors to the boycotting movements as they learned skills such as knitting to create the textiles that would replace those imported from England. The presence of British troops in the colonies propelled the transition from subjects to revolutionaries even further. The Boston Massacre is evidence of this: Bostonians threw snowballs at a group of British troops, who opened fire on the colonists, killing 5. This fueled the colonists’ dislike for the British and propelled the revolution further.
Excellent response, Emily. In particular, you focus on simply being treated second class is perceptive as this seemed to be the consistent them of all actions by Britain that upset the colonists.
Delete
ReplyDeleteFrom loyal subjects to Revolutionaries we see the bond between England and the colonies fall apart due to the fact that England brings it upon themselves. The factors include a small tax going directly to England. The first act to be started was the Stamp Act which angered the colonists as they are not being consulted. Many ones including George Washington, come to the conclusion that parliament has no right without consent that laws be made without themselves having an input. Colonists want to shift to be govern by themselves The class system plays a role as those who have a high status in the New World are known in England as reduced Americans to the same status of servants in England- no public representation.The power to tax was the power to destroy. Declaratory act- Britain made laws for the American colonies in what way they saw fit. In response the colonists were going to boycott any British goods. Commoners and gentlemen classes the ones who still have strong ties to the mother land and those who want change. Change is key, taking a role in the form of protest activity, the British thought they would solve the problem by sending troops to Boston to have order. Social Order- England. In New England everyone owns something to be proud of and does not want all of it to go away due to unnecessary taxes.
Your response indicates the key issue of discontent, which is 'taxation without representation,' which seems to designate the colonists as no better that the status of slaves to the English Crown. This will be the "last straw" of the elites in the colonies who will come to lead the Revolution. Part of the problem, Ashley, is that the colonists had been used to governing themselves and now England was threatening that.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteWithin the seven years that spanned between the end of the French and Indian war and the Boston Massacre, neither the Colonists or the English foresaw the major shift in loyalties that would soon run rampant throughout Colonial America. Colonists lived as though they still resided in England and were tremendously proud of this heritage. Nonetheless, a major change occurred after tension was created between the Colonists and the English. The most widely known reason for these tensions was taxation without representation. England’s creation of various taxes intended to pay for their debt in the French and Indian war only angered Colonists who were not consulted on the matter. Seeing as they had always had the freedom to make their own governments and laws—and therefore tax themselves as they saw fit—they felt stripped of their rights. Gentleman arguably took the greatest offense to this lack of representation seeing as only woman, children and slaves went unrepresented in government at the time. Loyalties to England took another turn as key revolutionary thinkers and leaders evolved. Despite the large accomplishments of George Washington in the French and Indian war, or the experiments and writings of Ben Franklin at the time, high ranked British still considered them commoners. Because of this, Washington and Franklin—as well as many other colonists—started to thirst for an end to the British hierarchy and essentially the idea of equal opportunity for all. These ground breaking events and the metamorphosis of the mindsets of Colonists at this time undoubtably shook their loyalties to England.
Excellent response! No doubt the central cause of the American Revolution is 'taxation without representation,' but the snubbing of the colonial elite by England will be key to the colonial aristocracy leading the rebellion.
DeleteBased on the first chapter of the video, a great factor that made loyal British colonists become Revolutionaries is the taxation British Parliament put in place without informing the American governments. The Stamp Act was forced upon the America's. The colonists living in America, who had been governing themselves for years, were angry with British parliament because they could give no input on the tax and had no representation. In England the only people who were not represented were servants, women, slaves, and children. Taxation without representation put the loyal British colonists on the same level as those not being represented in England. A revolution in America got British Parliament to repeal the Stamp Act; however, another act is put in place to tax glass, lead, paint, paper, and most importantly tea. America, especially the elite British colonists, retaliated by boycotting all English goods and cut off trade with England. Riots in America exploded, proving to England that they needed to be controlled. British Parliament sends in troops to police the streets and keep things in America in order-this resulted in the death of 5 colonists, this event was named the Boston Massacre. British colonists were beginning to notice bad traits of Parliament, that they did not notice before.
ReplyDeleteVery good, Brooke. Taxation without representation is key, because not only are the taxes considered intrusive to a people who are used to governing themselves, but it places the colonists on the same plane as those who are arbitrarily ruled and looked down upon, such as slave. Your focus on continued taxation, despite protests and the eventual tension that leads to the Boston Massacre is well-described as well.
DeleteMany factors contributed to the transition of the American colonists from loyal British subjects to angered revolutionaries, but the primary irritation of the colonists stemmed from their treatment as second-rate citizens by the British. Even within England itself, notable American citizens such as Benjamin Franklin were treated as nothing more than commoners. The snobbish attitudes of the British aristocracy irritated educated people such as Franklin. These same snobbish attitudes quickly led to the passing of several tax acts without colonial consent. The Stamp Act and Declaratory Act, along with several others, sent the colonists into a frenzy. Taxation without representation, as it became known, was a key theme of the revolution. Colonists were angered that Parliament was unwilling to consult them on such matters. The colonists were accustomed to their own, self-governed society. The British, seeing nothing wrong with the taxation of the colonies following the French and Indian War, felt no need to consult the colonists, nor did they care to. Taxation without representation reduced the colonists to the level of "women, children, servants, and slaves," as these were the unrepresented classes in Britain. Riots broke out in the colonies, pressuring Britain to send a policing body of troops to America. Thousands of British "redcoats" were sent to the colonies to govern the rowdy colonists. Events such as the Boston Massacre furthered colonial resentment toward the British. Even those who were most loyal to the British Empire began to see the corruption within the system of British rule. Five years after the Boston Massacre, the American Revolution officially began -- the ultimate result of colonial irritation.
ReplyDeleteExcellent response, Eric. As you state, the 'taxation without representation' grievance is connected to the notion that the colonists are simply not regarded as equals by the British crown. This leads to violent protest, which leads to British attempts to police the discontent, which leads to bloodshed and eventual revolution.
DeleteThough many factors lead to the transition from a loyalist position to a separatist attitude, they can largely be categorized into one idea. The mere existence of English governance within the colonies. Until 1765 when the Stamp Act was enforced upon the colonies, Parliament hadn't made any laws directed towards the colonies. What colonists seemed to be most satisfied with was the passive attitude the English crown had shown towards the colonies as far as any form of governance. Even when Ben Franklin visited Britain as an ambassador, he was, at first, enamored at the sight of the old country. However, the more he sees of the social hierarchy and the English social order, the less he appreciates what he sees. Especially after he visits Scotland and Ireland. By comparison, perhaps the colonies were more or less spoiled by the lack of taxation for their century and a half existence. To be fair, the English had been rather tattered internally by cause of the English Civil War (1642-1651) and continuous onsets of plague. So, when the English (British as of the 1707 Acts of Union) finally got around to actually governing the colonies, the colonists were not very enthusiastic. Even though the Seven Year's War was fought, largely on their behalf, the colonists were not eager to foot the long end of the bill. Although the governance of the colonies was long overdue on the part of the British, they didn't go about it in the best way. Taxation without representation was the colonists' strongest case against the British leading up to Revolution. The colonies had been self-governing since their establishment. The intrusion of a governing body from an ocean away was somewhat condescending to colonial elite. Although Colonial resistance was, for the most part, peaceful until the Boston Massacre, boycotts were an effective way to quell British taxation, for a little while. For each tax that was repealed, Parliament seemed to always have one to replace it. This lack of representation equated the colonies to children, slaves, peasants, and women in Britain. The greatest possible insult. Revolution from Britain was inevitable. The only reason the colonists were “proud to be British” was because the British neglected to govern until 1765. The only way Britain could have maintained moral in the colonies would be to continue their policy of administrative neglect.
ReplyDeleteExcellent response! What is key to your response was that the colonists had been largely left to govern themselves and resented British intrusion upon their polices, particularly with the notion of 'taxation without representation.' The boycotts would repeal taxes, but others were passed to replace those that were repealed. Perhaps, the colonists should have been willing to 'foot' some of the bill from the French and Indian War, but the way in which Parliament went about doing so greatly upset colonial sensibilities concerning self-government.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteMany factors lead the loyal colonists of the new world into becoming a revolutionists leading rebellion in against the English government. The socially unaccepted rich colonists that came from poor backgrounds, always wanted to achieve the social hierarchy that many of the rich in England achieve through inheriting much of their money. They wanted the clothing they wore and they wanted the rich lavish life styles that they (The english) had including furniture, clothing, horses and carriages, etc. Although the colonists acquired many of these things they were still deemed as lesser, this created a social fissure between the colonists and the english common folk. The main rage came from the the Stamp act, post the French and Indian war, it was put in place in-order to pay the the war. The colonists were enraged, they quickly voiced their opinion of the act, they soon ceased trade with England and a boycott was put into place. This was the act that taxed the colonists was put into place, although repealed many acts followed in its place (Declaratory,Townshend Act, and the Tea Act). They lead to a general feeling of the colonists being treated like no more than a woman or child, this lead to mass riots occurred in the streets. Most of the riots centered in the city of Boston, were the tax collectors would be harassed, killed, or tar and feathered. The the rage within the colonists continued as many of colonists continued to boycott goods imported from England. Theses acts lead up to the Boston tea party and soon followed the Boston Massacre. The fire of the colonists raged on after these events and soon it ignited a war, that would lead to the American independence.
ReplyDeleteGood content in post, Ryan. You brought up the two key issues, second class treatment and taxation without representation. Please proofread your written responses, however.
ReplyDeleteMany factors contributed to the colonists transitioning from loyalists to revolutionaries. Rich colonists, despite their wealth, were looked down upon by English elites because they were not from 'old money'. Because apparently earning your wealth is not as good, something the colonists did not take kindly to being disgraced for. The passage of tax acts (the Stamp Act, the Townshend Act, and the Tea Act) angered colonists further- not so much the fact that they were being taxed, but rather because England was not allowing them (the colonists) to tax themselves (Taxation without representation). Despite the repeal of some such acts, colonists felt as if they were being treated unlike citizens, but the same way women, children, slaves, and servants were treated. A boycott was put in place, even involving commoners- unheard of for the time, considering it was typically nobility who handled such rebellions. Many riots occurred, namely in Boston, where tax collectors lived in fear of harassment or murder (even tar and feathering). The tension in the colonies peaked come the Boston Tea Party, and later the Boston 'Massacre'. Events large and small contributed to the rebellion of the colonies against Britain.
ReplyDeleteThere were many factors pushed the colonists into the transition from loyalists to revolutionaries. One of these push factors was the way the colonists were looked upon as lesser than the people of England. Even if the colonists were considered elite or rich in the colonies, they were looked down upon by the English elites because they were not considered to be from "Old Money." The colonists were being treated as "second class," no matter their social or economic status in the colonies. Another driving factor which led to the transition from loyalists to revolutionaries was taxation without representation. The colonists anger grew towards England as taxes were being imposed on them, but no one from the colonies had any say in the matter. With the lesser treatment, as well as the taxation without representation, the colonists transitioned from loyalists into revolutionaries.
ReplyDeleteI like your 'inherited wealth' comment in this response. Well done. You clearly indicated two sources of conflict, taxation without representation, but also simply England not viewing the colonists as equals.
ReplyDeleteThe colonists transforming from loyalists to revolutionaries took only a few obstacles that seemed harmless to the British. The Stamp Act and the Boston Port Act are two prime examples of events which lead the colonists to wanting to break away from Britain. The Stamp Act forced the colonists to print any document on a specially stamped paper and if the colonists did not compl they could be sent to jail. The Boston Port Act closed the Boston Harbor which was the main way for Bostonians to trade with the outside world. Now any trade that they wished to be sent or received had to go through Britain before making its final destination to either the colonies or the country being traded with Another event making the colonist and British tension increase was the Quartering Act which required colonists to let British troops live in their homes and making the colonists feel threatened and uncomfortable in their own homes. Also this caused many people to not like the "red coats" and want them gone which leads to the Boston Massacre where British troops fired on a group of colonists outside the Customs House. After the massacre Paul Revere created his famous engraving depicting a group of British soldiers firing on the "innocent" colonists which resulted in 5 dead, arguably 6 though the 6th death was 10 years after the incident. Colonists also would harass tax collectors and threaten them with torture and murder such as tarring and feathering which caused many tax collectors to fear for their lives and also quit there jobs because they did not want to deal with the unruly colonists.
ReplyDelete- Emily Wagner
DeleteGood job documenting the acts that upset the colonists in your response.
Delete