The Quartering Act

The American Revolution was fuelled by both ideas and money. Firstly, the Colonists did not like the idea of being constantly harassed and taxed. Secondly, the British were placing too many enforced high taxes and acts that caused financial depression to the Colonists. Lastly, more rules and taxes were being laid out and the voice of the Colonists were being completely ignored. Therefore, colonists believed that both money and ideas were valid enough reasons to spark a revolutionary war.

The Quartering Act (1765) was an example of how the British were overly controlling over the colonists. They made the colonists provide barracks and supplies for the troops stationed in the colonies. The reaction by the Americans was inevitable: most Americans believed that the British Army was present just to keep the Americans in line, so the Quartering Act was deeply resented by many. This helped the British maintain power of the colonists as well as control them economically because they didn’t have to pay for supplies and such. This lead to a financial depression of
the colonists, introduced by the British. Eventually, The Stamp act would further exacerbate already high tensions.

The Stamp Act (also 1765) was the first of many acts to come; taxing high prices on what seemed like little objects. This act specifically taxed on all types of paperwork such as newspapers, pamphlets or legal documents. A quote from the American website of Social Studies for Kids explains that “The colonists didn't think they should have to pay for something they had been doing for free for many years, and they responded in force, with demonstrations and even with a diplomatic body called the Stamp Act Congress, which delivered its answer to the Crown.” The Colonists were furious about this because they have never had to pay for a stamp on something that usually came free. This definitely makes lives harder for the colonists as they go into debts or financial depression; paying high expenses. It also invades their freedom because they never had to pay for such a thing. My final reason is that Americans had absolutely no say under the British’s control. This includes everything in terms of every right and freedom they had. Eventually the levy would break.

Near the ending of their control, The British kept adding tariffs and acts that eventually led up to the first colonial resistance in 1770. The last act that was sought out by the British was the Tea Act of 1773 and that ended up in the classic, outraged colonist scene in history; the Boston Tea Party. Thus the Continental Congress (leaders from all 13 colonies) led a revolutionary rebellion against the British in 1775. Taken from the History’s website, it says “This First Continental Congress did not go so far as to demand independence from Britain, but it denounced taxation without representation, as well as the maintenance of the British army in the colonies without their consent, and issued a declaration of the rights due every citizen, including life, liberty, property, assembly and trial by jury.” The colonists started getting fed up with new and occurring taxes as well as being constantly kept in line by the British, without their permission. In every way possible they were invaded of their freedom and money.

In conclusion, the American Revolution was inspired by money and ideas.
However, taxes and ideas are one in the same and are both directly correlated to both the Magna Carta and the Social Contract. The early American documents outlined the “abuses of power by a tyrannical monarch, including arbitrary imprisonment and excessive taxation, against whom they were willing to take arms.” The reasons why the revolution was fuelled by both was firstly, the colonists were always being patrolled by British troops; in which they helped to supply and work for. Secondly, to gain more control, the British started placing taxes on the economy of the colonists’ which led to financial depression. Lastly, the colonists were not given a fair trial or voice in any more of the new rules and taxes being added to their society. Money has a big effect; however, pride would also have the power to spark a
revolution.