DBQ American Pageant #3
August 13th, 2013
A.P. U.S. History DBQ
The American Revolution
By the 1750s, the American colonies had come a long way from their original struggles and failures. They had grown in both population and economic stability. Even so, relations between the colonies and Great Britain were strained. The colonists became more and more discontented with England’s control of their political and economic affairs. The colonies were dissatisfied with the rules of British Mercantilism, or the idea that the colonies were a mere source of raw materials and market for the British mainland. This animosity for the motherland had then been seeded by the lack of economic freedom and the harsh taxes that had been set on everyday luxuries and necessities; all of these problems for the colonies had placed them on the road to Revolution.
The road to the American Revolution began with the French and Indian War, also known as the Seven Years’ War. Beginning in 1756 and ending in 1763, the war guaranteed Great Britain, who came out victorious, control of North America. Although Great Britain had won, the relations between them and the colonies did not patch up. The colonies established trade with Great Britain’s enemies to demonstrate their economic independence during the war. After the war, Great Britain was left with an extensive war debt, a debt that they though could be paid off with colonial revenue. This attempt was carried out when Parliament passed a series of taxation acts which would charge taxes on a variety of merchandise and raw materials. The colonies detested these acts, stating that it was the undoubted right of the Englishman to be taxed without personal consent .
In addition to taxes, Great Britain set forth restrictions regarding foreign trade on the colonies; it restricted all foreign trade and shipping. Several other restrictions were subsequently set in place. To the colonists, still referred to as British subjects, both import and export of any kind remained a
A.P. U.S. History DBQ
The American Revolution
By the 1750s, the American colonies had come a long way from their original struggles and failures. They had grown in both population and economic stability. Even so, relations between the colonies and Great Britain were strained. The colonists became more and more discontented with England’s control of their political and economic affairs. The colonies were dissatisfied with the rules of British Mercantilism, or the idea that the colonies were a mere source of raw materials and market for the British mainland. This animosity for the motherland had then been seeded by the lack of economic freedom and the harsh taxes that had been set on everyday luxuries and necessities; all of these problems for the colonies had placed them on the road to Revolution.
The road to the American Revolution began with the French and Indian War, also known as the Seven Years’ War. Beginning in 1756 and ending in 1763, the war guaranteed Great Britain, who came out victorious, control of North America. Although Great Britain had won, the relations between them and the colonies did not patch up. The colonies established trade with Great Britain’s enemies to demonstrate their economic independence during the war. After the war, Great Britain was left with an extensive war debt, a debt that they though could be paid off with colonial revenue. This attempt was carried out when Parliament passed a series of taxation acts which would charge taxes on a variety of merchandise and raw materials. The colonies detested these acts, stating that it was the undoubted right of the Englishman to be taxed without personal consent .
In addition to taxes, Great Britain set forth restrictions regarding foreign trade on the colonies; it restricted all foreign trade and shipping. Several other restrictions were subsequently set in place. To the colonists, still referred to as British subjects, both import and export of any kind remained a