(no subject)
21/10 /04
Emer Tannam: History Essay,
(1,631 words)
History essay, October 2004 Emer Tannam
What were the main areas of disagreement between the British and the Americans?
The disagreements, which arose between the British government and her colonists in America, culminated in the American Revolution and. eventually, America’s political independence from Britain .The impact of this independence saw America emerge as a republican democracy and as a system of government which would be a model for similar types of governments, setting an “ideological agenda for the future” which would, in turn, influence the French and Irish 1798 revolutions, among others.
These disagreements, although only fully articulated in 1776, through the declaration of independence and the American Revolution, had been in existence since the very establishment of the colonies. Initially, the main disagreement between the colonists and the mother country had been on the subject of religion. In England, Puritans, because they challenged the authority of the established church of England and therefore the King, were persecuted under the penal laws. For this reason, many puritan leaders decides to leave England, and seek a better life elsewhere. They formed a company, applied for a charter from the government and set off for America, on the Mayflower in 1629,to establish a new and better world there. Thus, the colony of New England was founded on the fundamental disagreement between Anglicans (the established church of England) and puritans, who were the colonists. The colonists were, in essence, turning their backs on the institutions and status quo of Britain, in disagreement with her.
Religious disagreements would not have become so significant, in the context of the American Revolution, if the puritans, and indeed all non-Anglicans, had remained free to practice their religion and live in their colony without the interference of the established church. However, the likelihood that an Anglican bishop would be elected to the colonies became a threat. Non-Anglicans feared that this development would result in the bishops seeking to convert people to Anglicanism, at the expense of their own congregations. They also feared the introduction of the “apparatus of ecclesiastical authority “over the colonists. This unwelcome authority had been the reason for the colonists defection form America in the first place. Anglicans in America themselves resented this prospect, as it would interfere with their influence over the local parish clergy.In this way, a seemingly theological disagreement became political, and a question of opposing spheres of influence. The British would maintain that they were entitled to enforce, or encourage Anglicanism, as it was the established church of Britain, and American was British territory, while the Americans resented this encroachment of their religious liberties.
Perhaps the most significant disagreement between the British and the Americans was the status of the Americans, in the context of the British Empire .On the one hand, the predominant view of colonies held by the British at the time was that they were a source of prosperity and power for the British, inferior to and dependent on the mother country and an outlet for “disappointed and the disaffected”Nor could any colony ever challenge the mother county’s economy. This mercantilist view was the direct cause of the navigation acts, which would provoke such hostility in the colonies.
On the other hand, the colonists themselves did not share this mercantilist view .The colonists of the middle and southern colonies had set out to America with profit in mind, and would not gladly accept any challenge to their ability to make a living. More importantly, however, the colonists throughout America did not see themselves as lesser British citizens, but British citizens in their own right, and no less deserving of the rights that their countrymen in Britain enjoyed. Against the backdrop of the Enlightenment, the British and the Americans alike had a clearly defined view of their rights as citizens. The contract theory of government (as outlined by John Locke in Two Treatises of government), among other political philosophies, meant that the British and the Americans would not be dictated to. Thus, the British would uphold that the Colonists were less important than the British, while the Americans considered themselves as important. Nevertheless, by 1776 a definite attitude of “them and us” had developed in the American colonies, as articulated in the Declaration of Independence. In it, the authors complain of British officials who “harass our people”. So, by this time, the Americans considered themselves equal to, but not the same as the British.
Furthermore, these ideas and beliefs would not have has such an impact on the relationship between the British and the Americans if the colonists had not enjoyed such a level of freedom, up until the time the British decide to re-assert its dominion over the American colonies. The founders of New England had signed a covenant when the colony was first established binding themselves together in political and spiritual kinship. This implied a certain level of political separateness from Britain, even at this early stage. Even more importantly, a congregational style of local government emerged. This was a highly innovative political development and fostered sentiments of fraternity and equality among the New England colonists, while allowing them to develop their political skills. This led to greater political awareness and articulation. This invaluable political experience would enable the colonists to voice their disagreements with confidence and conviction when the time came. It also illustrated the colonists’ disagreements with the British governments form of government. These opposing ideals of government would become irreconcilable in the near future.
Similarly, a legislative system of government was budding in the middle colonies, (which included New York and Philadelphia). This assembly developed through an understanding with the Duke of York, and drew up a political and legal code, which was a significant development in establishing a democratic tradition here as well. The House of Burgesses in Virginia was established in 1619,and was the first representative assembly in America, although initiated at first for commercial reasons. This was an equally progressive political institution and encouraged parallel political awareness. Therefore, throughout the American colonies a political and intellectual culture was emerging. These political bodies provided a forum to colonists for discourse and protest. They led to the American experience of, and indeed expectance of political influence. This experience and the skills, which were developed, were a major factor in the origins of the disagreements with American, and the competence with which the disagreements were expressed.
Although these issues seem largely ideological, they became highly important in relation to the issue of taxation. British citizens were entitled to representation as part of their contract with the government .In America dissatisfaction with taxation led to the adoption of the slogan “No taxation without representation”. In 1763 George Grenwille became prime minister, and inherited the responsibility for a kingdom in a “financial mess “ The Seven Year War had seen Britain emerge victorious but financially depleted. Some one had to pay, and Grenwille felt the colonies had delayed paying long enough, and that they should at least carry the cost of their own defence and administration. The colonists disagreed, as they believed they had paid enough already through disease, death and soaring tax bills .The issue of the war had long been a point of contention between the British and Americans, with Britain resenting America’s apparent lack of interest, while she impoverished herself on their ungrateful behalf. At any rate, the colonies would pay, and pay through taxation.
Between 1763 and 1767 the British government introduced eight important acts, including the Stamp Act in 1765,and the Quartering Act in 1767.The Stamp Act sought to raise revenue by imposing duties on all documents related to court cases, church matters, admissions to public offices, bills of lading, letters of marquee documents relating to land transactions, probate orders, bail bonds, articles of apprenticeship, passports, dice, playing cards, newspapers pamphlets, almanacs and calendars. This act therefore affected and “managed to offend everyone”The act was repealed, but the Quartering Act was just as unpopular. This demanded that the colonists pay to maintain the upkeep of British troops, which the colonists saw as unnecessary in the firsts place.
These policies helped to define the disagreements between the Americans and the British .The British insisted that they were entitled to full sovereignty over the colonists, while the colonists demanded a share of the power over themselves. Human nature, being what it is, meant that these demands were given a greater sense of urgency to these demands, as their profits and livelihoods were being threatened. The issue of taxation without representation was seen as tyranny on the monarch’s part, as expressed in the declaration of independence, where the King is accused of a “long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object, evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism.”
There can be no doubt that the level of opposition that these taxes were met with was heightened by the economic difficulties endured by the Americans at the time. International trade had made America vulnerable to global economic trends, and was, as a result, suffering a recession in the early and late 1760’s.Furthurmore although some colonies had prospered during the war, the country was now experiencing post-war depression, especially in the cities of New York, Philadelphia and Boston. This led to unemployment and out-migration. At the same time, the land/population ratio had increased, resulting in inflation of land prices. These severe economic conditions damaged the confidence of the colonies and resulted in even greater dissatisfaction.
The above disagreements were the cause of the American Revolution, which was one of the most significant events in human history, and ushered in an era of modern democratic governments. That is not to say that the America, which was born out of the revolution, was perfect, or indeed, is perfect, but it’s impact on the rest of the world, or the sequence of historical events, which followed, must not be underestimated.
Bibliography
Bonwick, Colin, The American Revolution, (London, 1991)
Halliday, Michael, The Age of Revolutions, (Ireland, 1970)
Counrtyman, Edward, The American Revolution (Great Britain 1985)
Emer Tannam: History Essay,
(1,631 words)
History essay, October 2004 Emer Tannam
What were the main areas of disagreement between the British and the Americans?
The disagreements, which arose between the British government and her colonists in America, culminated in the American Revolution and. eventually, America’s political independence from Britain .The impact of this independence saw America emerge as a republican democracy and as a system of government which would be a model for similar types of governments, setting an “ideological agenda for the future” which would, in turn, influence the French and Irish 1798 revolutions, among others.
These disagreements, although only fully articulated in 1776, through the declaration of independence and the American Revolution, had been in existence since the very establishment of the colonies. Initially, the main disagreement between the colonists and the mother country had been on the subject of religion. In England, Puritans, because they challenged the authority of the established church of England and therefore the King, were persecuted under the penal laws. For this reason, many puritan leaders decides to leave England, and seek a better life elsewhere. They formed a company, applied for a charter from the government and set off for America, on the Mayflower in 1629,to establish a new and better world there. Thus, the colony of New England was founded on the fundamental disagreement between Anglicans (the established church of England) and puritans, who were the colonists. The colonists were, in essence, turning their backs on the institutions and status quo of Britain, in disagreement with her.
Religious disagreements would not have become so significant, in the context of the American Revolution, if the puritans, and indeed all non-Anglicans, had remained free to practice their religion and live in their colony without the interference of the established church. However, the likelihood that an Anglican bishop would be elected to the colonies became a threat. Non-Anglicans feared that this development would result in the bishops seeking to convert people to Anglicanism, at the expense of their own congregations. They also feared the introduction of the “apparatus of ecclesiastical authority “over the colonists. This unwelcome authority had been the reason for the colonists defection form America in the first place. Anglicans in America themselves resented this prospect, as it would interfere with their influence over the local parish clergy.In this way, a seemingly theological disagreement became political, and a question of opposing spheres of influence. The British would maintain that they were entitled to enforce, or encourage Anglicanism, as it was the established church of Britain, and American was British territory, while the Americans resented this encroachment of their religious liberties.
Perhaps the most significant disagreement between the British and the Americans was the status of the Americans, in the context of the British Empire .On the one hand, the predominant view of colonies held by the British at the time was that they were a source of prosperity and power for the British, inferior to and dependent on the mother country and an outlet for “disappointed and the disaffected”Nor could any colony ever challenge the mother county’s economy. This mercantilist view was the direct cause of the navigation acts, which would provoke such hostility in the colonies.
On the other hand, the colonists themselves did not share this mercantilist view .The colonists of the middle and southern colonies had set out to America with profit in mind, and would not gladly accept any challenge to their ability to make a living. More importantly, however, the colonists throughout America did not see themselves as lesser British citizens, but British citizens in their own right, and no less deserving of the rights that their countrymen in Britain enjoyed. Against the backdrop of the Enlightenment, the British and the Americans alike had a clearly defined view of their rights as citizens. The contract theory of government (as outlined by John Locke in Two Treatises of government), among other political philosophies, meant that the British and the Americans would not be dictated to. Thus, the British would uphold that the Colonists were less important than the British, while the Americans considered themselves as important. Nevertheless, by 1776 a definite attitude of “them and us” had developed in the American colonies, as articulated in the Declaration of Independence. In it, the authors complain of British officials who “harass our people”. So, by this time, the Americans considered themselves equal to, but not the same as the British.
Furthermore, these ideas and beliefs would not have has such an impact on the relationship between the British and the Americans if the colonists had not enjoyed such a level of freedom, up until the time the British decide to re-assert its dominion over the American colonies. The founders of New England had signed a covenant when the colony was first established binding themselves together in political and spiritual kinship. This implied a certain level of political separateness from Britain, even at this early stage. Even more importantly, a congregational style of local government emerged. This was a highly innovative political development and fostered sentiments of fraternity and equality among the New England colonists, while allowing them to develop their political skills. This led to greater political awareness and articulation. This invaluable political experience would enable the colonists to voice their disagreements with confidence and conviction when the time came. It also illustrated the colonists’ disagreements with the British governments form of government. These opposing ideals of government would become irreconcilable in the near future.
Similarly, a legislative system of government was budding in the middle colonies, (which included New York and Philadelphia). This assembly developed through an understanding with the Duke of York, and drew up a political and legal code, which was a significant development in establishing a democratic tradition here as well. The House of Burgesses in Virginia was established in 1619,and was the first representative assembly in America, although initiated at first for commercial reasons. This was an equally progressive political institution and encouraged parallel political awareness. Therefore, throughout the American colonies a political and intellectual culture was emerging. These political bodies provided a forum to colonists for discourse and protest. They led to the American experience of, and indeed expectance of political influence. This experience and the skills, which were developed, were a major factor in the origins of the disagreements with American, and the competence with which the disagreements were expressed.
Although these issues seem largely ideological, they became highly important in relation to the issue of taxation. British citizens were entitled to representation as part of their contract with the government .In America dissatisfaction with taxation led to the adoption of the slogan “No taxation without representation”. In 1763 George Grenwille became prime minister, and inherited the responsibility for a kingdom in a “financial mess “ The Seven Year War had seen Britain emerge victorious but financially depleted. Some one had to pay, and Grenwille felt the colonies had delayed paying long enough, and that they should at least carry the cost of their own defence and administration. The colonists disagreed, as they believed they had paid enough already through disease, death and soaring tax bills .The issue of the war had long been a point of contention between the British and Americans, with Britain resenting America’s apparent lack of interest, while she impoverished herself on their ungrateful behalf. At any rate, the colonies would pay, and pay through taxation.
Between 1763 and 1767 the British government introduced eight important acts, including the Stamp Act in 1765,and the Quartering Act in 1767.The Stamp Act sought to raise revenue by imposing duties on all documents related to court cases, church matters, admissions to public offices, bills of lading, letters of marquee documents relating to land transactions, probate orders, bail bonds, articles of apprenticeship, passports, dice, playing cards, newspapers pamphlets, almanacs and calendars. This act therefore affected and “managed to offend everyone”The act was repealed, but the Quartering Act was just as unpopular. This demanded that the colonists pay to maintain the upkeep of British troops, which the colonists saw as unnecessary in the firsts place.
These policies helped to define the disagreements between the Americans and the British .The British insisted that they were entitled to full sovereignty over the colonists, while the colonists demanded a share of the power over themselves. Human nature, being what it is, meant that these demands were given a greater sense of urgency to these demands, as their profits and livelihoods were being threatened. The issue of taxation without representation was seen as tyranny on the monarch’s part, as expressed in the declaration of independence, where the King is accused of a “long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object, evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism.”
There can be no doubt that the level of opposition that these taxes were met with was heightened by the economic difficulties endured by the Americans at the time. International trade had made America vulnerable to global economic trends, and was, as a result, suffering a recession in the early and late 1760’s.Furthurmore although some colonies had prospered during the war, the country was now experiencing post-war depression, especially in the cities of New York, Philadelphia and Boston. This led to unemployment and out-migration. At the same time, the land/population ratio had increased, resulting in inflation of land prices. These severe economic conditions damaged the confidence of the colonies and resulted in even greater dissatisfaction.
The above disagreements were the cause of the American Revolution, which was one of the most significant events in human history, and ushered in an era of modern democratic governments. That is not to say that the America, which was born out of the revolution, was perfect, or indeed, is perfect, but it’s impact on the rest of the world, or the sequence of historical events, which followed, must not be underestimated.
Bibliography
Bonwick, Colin, The American Revolution, (London, 1991)
Halliday, Michael, The Age of Revolutions, (Ireland, 1970)
Counrtyman, Edward, The American Revolution (Great Britain 1985)