Short And Long-Term Effects Of The Revolutionary War

The French and Indian War that began in 1754, eventually spread to Europe in what was know as the the Seven Years’ War. Back in America, several notable events happened. Britain attempted to institute several policies which, in the colonists view, had adverse effects. In an effort to replenish a diminishing army, Britain began forcefully enlisted colonists. This practice was known as impressment. Britain also instituted several other practices such as seizing supplies and equipment and demanding shelter for troops without compensation. These acts were of significant note because it led to the colonists not only resenting the actions of Britain but also strongly resisting them. The turmoil by the colonists had a powerful ramification - it almost caused the war effort in America to cease. (American History, p107)

Several years later, further resistance on British policies and actions had another significant effect.. the independence of the colonies. There were several areas of contentions that began following the Seven Years’ War and lasted up until the united States of America’s independence. First was how to pay for the war the left Britain with an enormous amount of debt. Several Acts were introduced in an effort to raise money from America such as the Sugar, Currency, and most notably the
Stamp. The next policy of contention was already familiar to the colonists. The Mutiny Act required the quartering of troops. During the early 1770s, Britain passed another Act which would go on to spur one of the most historically recognizable events in US history, the Boston Tea Party.

Following the Seven Years’ War, the British government needed a solution to solve the financial burden accumulated during the conflict.
With landowners and merchants facing an already high tax burden, the government turned to the colonies. They enacted several acts beginning in 1764 with the Sugar Act in an attempt to raise funds. This act attempted to eliminate illegal trade therefore strengthening the duty on sugar. The Currency Act eliminated paper money and required any in circulation to be destroyed. Most notably was the Stamp Act of 1765. This required a tax on any printed document such as newspapers, deeds, wills and licenses. (American History,
p112)

The Stamp Act affected most Americans; lawyers needs stamps for legal documents, tavern owners for licenses, and printers for newspapers. Although the stamps were not expensive, the colonists viewed it as setting a precedent. Up until that point, they viewed the taxes and duties that existed as a way to regulate commerce. This new tax was interpreted as an attempt to raise revenue without the consent of the colonists. Britain on the other hand, rationalized the tax as a way to fund the past and current military protection it offered. They believed the colonists should be responsible to reimburse the government for services provided. (American History, p115).

Following the Stamp Act, was the Mutiny Act of of 1765. During the Seven Years’ War, colonists were forced to provide shelter for British troops. The Mutiny Act continued this practice. Troops had been stationed in America to offer protection from French and Indian attacks. The British government believed this was a reasonable request, however the colonists did not. Towards the end of the French and Indian War, they already provided such things as shelter and supplies of their own free will. Forcing compliance only aggravated them. It was viewed as an assault on their liberties and also as a further form of taxation (American History, p117)

Britain’s East India Company, one of the largest suppliers of tea, was on the verge of bankruptcy while also harboring a stockpile of tea. They appealed to the government who passed the Tea Act of 1773 in an effort to save the company. This act allowed the company to sell their tea directly to the colonies without paying the duty tax. This effectively cut out the middleman, the colonial merchant, and allowed the East India Company to undersell their product. The colonial merchant was put at a severe competitive disadvantage. (American History, p121)

The British government believed the colonists would react positively since the price of tea would be reduced. The colonist did not share those same sentiments. They viewed it as another assault on their liberties by taxing without their consent. Furthermore, they responded by boycotting tea. The Boston Tea Party, a willful act by the colonists to destroy a shipment of East India Company tea, followed later that same year. (American History, p121)

In conclusion, all of these policies and acts had profound effects. They not only incised the colonists but also unified them in the opposition to what was viewed as unconstitutional taxes and also and assault on their freedom. The colonists held that if there were to be taxation, there should also be representation.