Were the Americans Justified in Waging War and Breaking Away from Britain?
The conflict between the British and the American colonists was a result of the consequences of the French and Indian War, also known as the Seven Years War. During the war, the British sent troops to North America to fight the French and the Indians, who were their allies. This conflict was mostly over land, specifically the Ohio Valley region, and the British representatives demanded that the French leave the territory. When this war ended in 1763, the French left North America and the British were left with huge debt. In order to raise revenue, they decided to prohibit the American colonists from moving west of the Appalachian Mountains and demanded that these colonists help pay for the cost of war. They issued several acts, such the Sugar Act of 1764 and the Stamp Act of 1764, that placed taxes on products, including newspapers, pamphlets, and advertisements. This infuriated the American colonists, who demanded that they not be taxed without representation in Parliament. The Americans justifiably waged war against the British in order to make sure that their rights were not violated and that they were treated as fairly as Englishmen.
Although the British fought the French and Indians on behalf of their property, where the Americans lived, their decision to prohibit the American colonists from moving West was unfair. Firstly, the British made this decision to forbid Americans from moving farther west was without the American colonists’ consent. King George III simply issued a Proclamation:
And whereas it is just and reasonable, and essential to our Interest, and the Security of our Colonies, that the several Nations or Tribes of Indians with whom We are connected, and who live under our Protection, should not be molested or disturbed in the Possession of such Parts of Our Dominions and Territories as, not having been ceded to or purchased by Us, are reserved to them, or any of them, as their Hunting Grounds…And We do hereby strictly forbid, on Pain of our Displeasure, all our loving Subjects from making any Purchases or Settlements…or taking Possession of any of the Lands above reserved…And We do further strictly enjoin and require all Persons whatever who have either wilfully or inadvertently seated themselves upon any Lands within the Countries above described…forthwith to remove themselves from such Settlements (King George III).
Secondly, this proclamation prevented the American colonists from exploring new land and economic opportunities. Lastly, more land means more independence, so by forbidding Americans from heading west the British were limiting the American colonists’ independence. In conclusion, the decision to prohibit the American colonist was problematic and unfair.
The decision to impose taxes on the American colonists through the Stamp Act was a violation of the rights of the colonists. John Dickinson states in his document,“I have looked over every statute relating to these colonies, from their first settlement to this time; All before, are calculated to regulate trade…. The raising of revenue… was never intended…”(Dickinson 1). This shows that Parliament went outside of the traditional practices to create law for the purposes of raising revenue. This decision made the Americans look inferior to Englishmen. Additionally, there was no representative from America in the Parliament to speak on behalf of American colonists. Therefore, the Stamp Act was a severe violation of the rights of Americans to participate in matters that impact them tremendously, such as taxes.
The decision to impose the Townshend Acts, after the repeal of the Stamp Act, demonstrated a certain level of disregard for the colonists and their governments. This act raised revenue in order to pay judges and other officials who were loyal to the British and who would make decisions favoring the British. Also, the act represented another way for the British to generate tax revenue without the consent of the American colonists. The British showed that they were willing to undermine the legal system in order to continuously tax the Americans to raise revenue. Due to these actions, the Boston Massacre was a natural result of the British’s unethical behavior, and if the colonists had not fought they would have been left without rights. “On March 5, 1770, a crowd of Boston boys and men surrounded a number of British soldiers and began taunting and soldiers cursing them while pelting them with snowballs. Order quickly broke down and the frightened fired into the crowd. When the shooting ended, several people were dead and more were wounded” (Document 3).This inspired other colonies to step up and fight back against the British’s unjust behaviors. In conclusion, the constant repetition of mistreatment eventually led the Americans to justifiably revolt against the British.
The British clearly demonstrates their eagerness to enslave (figuratively) the American colonists with forced taxes. The British were not giving the Americans the chance to represent themselves in the decisions Parliament was making. Additionally the decisions Parliament made was in their interest rather than the American colonists. Lastly the colonists came to America to avoid the unjust treatment they got from the Englishmen. In conclusion if one’s rights are violated, it gives on the right to rebel to gain freedom.
