American Revolution Dbq

The British made the war for American independence inevitable; they imposed new policies that made colonists desire independence even more. Tax polices, republicanism, as well as, the spreading of revolutionary ideas all took part of strengthening the colonials’ rebellion against British rule. After Great Britain put in effect polices to oppress the colonists, they could do nothing but watch the revolution against them unfold.
Great Britain imposed a multitude of taxes on the colonists in order to pay for and support the seven years war. The Munity Act of 1765 required colonists to house and feed stationed English solders. The Sugar Act of 1764 taxed American merchants who bought and sold sugar or molasses. Colonists were forced to end the

printing of their own paper money due to The Currency Act of 1764. These acts angered Americans who disagreed that England was entitled to tighten their control of the colonies. But the Stamp Act of 1765 infuriated Americans like no other policy. It called for every printed document, from almanacs to newspapers, to be taxed. The stamp act cost every single colonist. Later the Townshend duties were created and they enforced taxes on several imported English goods, including tea. These Townshend taxes brought universal boycotts throughout the northern colonies on British imported goods, which in turn, angered the British who secured the Boston port and put an end to smuggling goods in Boston, and enforced the Townshend duties even more. Then the Tea Act of 1773 gave the East India Company a monopoly that didn’t have to pay taxes on tea. This eliminated all colonial merchant competition because they still had to pay taxes on their tea. These taxes stirred up emotions in the American hearts that longed to have representation for taxation in government.
These feelings became known as republicanism. The people wanted to be involved with government affairs, notably in taxation. Colonists heavily supported only being taxed with their own consent. When Americans wrote the Declaration of Independence they wrote out a list of grievances about the King of Great Britain. The colonists had no actual representation in parliament. They felt had no say. Their consent was not required. They knew that they would be better off governing themselves, giving a voice and power to the American people. In essence, American leaders learned from the tyranny of the king how to create a better government that represented and gave power to the people.
Americans, realizing the excessive authority that Great Britain had over the colonies began to share revolutionary ideas. Thomas Paine’s Common Sense directed American attention at England’s unwritten constitution, saying the colonists shouldn’t be treated less than the Englishmen and that they were being treated horribly and unfairly. John Locke advocated natural born rights that life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness should be granted to all people. If the government failed to provide those basic freedoms, then the people would be allowed to rebel against that government. With these theories and ideas implanted in their heads, Americans began to see England in a new light. They began to notice the power abuse and the unfairness of polices that the king imposed on them. They were victims of the king. Unanimously they agreed that something needed to change.
Americans hearts were turned away from the British authorities and the English only increased the hatred for themselves. Not only did the British increasingly impose new taxes on the colonists, but also the Americans wanted power for their people giving them a republic government system where they were represented. Also revolutionary ideas were already circulating in taverns and throughout towns. People believed in the idea of independence. The enlightened people craved independence from the cruel British king and a new government system that gave the people power.