Analysis: Was It Right For The Colonists To Rebel Against The British?

Victoria Hoven
04.29.16
Maiocca

Was It Right For the Colonists to Rebel Against the British?

In September of 1620, a group of pilgrims set sail on the Mayflower towards America in search for money, to explore and gain land, and religious freedom. They landed in what they called Plymouth. As you could imagine, when they arrived in Plymouth, there was no law and government to follow. In addition to no government, it was the beginning of winter, which meant it was difficult to find food and warmth. By traveling to America, the Colonists were starting completely from scratch. They had to find a way to build enough houses for everyone, cultivate enough food, and cure sicknesses from the journey overseas.

Unfortunately, after winter had passed, half of the population had passed away. As soon as they could, the Colonists began to plant crops and build their colony. They were taught by the Natives, how to grow corn and how to make animal traps for food and clothes. Once it was fall time, the colony was no longer struggling. So, in celebration of their great success, the first Thanksgiving was practiced with the Natives.

Many generations after the first settlements, during the 1700’s, the colonists were used to and comfortable with their freedom; they were becoming tired of Britain’s constant control.

In 1756, the French and Indian war took place, deciding who would control Northern America. After approximately ten years of fighting, the British and Colonists won their precious land from the French. For safety reasons, ten months later, George III prohibited any expansion expeditions west of the Appalachian mountains, unless there was assurance of safety from the local Native American nations. Another seven months later in 1764, Britain thought it necessary for the Colonies to assist them in paying for the damages and debt caused by the battles of the Seven Year

War.

They began with the Sugar Act, designed to raise revenue by taxing sugar and molasses.

The next taxation Britain conjured up, was the Stamp Act. This was a tax in stamp form that was needed on every newspaper, legal document, and business document. This taxation made it mandatory for diplomas, licenses, documents and almost every paper product to be printed on, embossed, or stamped by an official. Every time someone needed an official to stamp a document, they had to pay a fee. The payment was extra for items like newspapers that were utilized on a daily basis. The Stamp Act ordered for the taxation of fifty-four individual items. Some of these items included; calendars, donations, playing cards, and even dice. Practically anything that was printed on paper, with the exception of books, was taxed. People who wrote public documents, paid tax on blank paper which officials would then place a stamp as proof of their payment. The British Parliament granted colonists the right to select American tax collectors for the job. The people who were most effected by the Stamp Act were lawyers, ministers, printers and merchants. These colonists were men of wealth and standing in the community and some of the most influential people in society.