Edmund Morgan Birth Of The Republic Analysis

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In the Birth of the Republic, 1763-89, Edmund Morgan, the author, examines the basis for the colonist’s frustrations to try and form an explanation for why the American Revolution occurred. Specifically, he examines the colonist’s struggles with Parliament and the taxes that were imposed on common people and merchants. The colonists did not get angry over the fact of the British taxing them, it was on the grounds that the British were taxing them without allowing them a say in Parliament. They wanted to be seen as equals to the people back at in the Old World. If they were to live under the crown then they should be treated as those living back in Europe. “Britons were taxed only by consent; therefore Americans must be. Britons had a right to be represented in their own legislative body; therefore Americans should have such a right and their assemblies be coordinated with Parliament.” Morgan took the position that the American Revolution occurred because the colonists were searching for equal representation in Parliament, equal liberty, and the ability to …show more content…

That was huge for the colonists because it united the people under a cause and helped the people come together when it was time to fight a revolution. The Sugar Act was what causes the colonists to begin to think about the idea of taxation without representation. The people would have been fine if they were only allowed some form of representation in Parliament. Morgan brings up the idea of property as the source of life and liberty. Without property, the people could be starved into submission. It was believed that whatever threatened property in turn threatened liberty. These people were not going to allow their liberty to be threatened without having a say in the government that threatens their

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