8-3 Final Project_Historical Event Paper
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Why British Colonists Were Considered Anti-Liberty
Terry S. Haynes
Department of History, Southern New Hampshire University
HIS-113 U.S. History I: 1607-1865
Profess Ledebuhr
December 18, 2022
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The American Revolution was a conflict between the American Colonies and Great Britain. There were several factors that contributed to this event. Great Britain thought it was only right and fair that the colonists follow British laws, since they were under British rule and Great Britain was the mother country. The British colonists were loyal to the King and accustomed to a monarchical form of government. Answering the question of whether the British
colonists who opposed the Revolution were being pragmatic or anti-liberty allows us to understand why there was such a divide that led to the Revolutionary War. The British colonists who opposed the Revolution were anti-liberty, as illustrated by the continuous taxation of the colonies to benefit Great Britain, the enforcement of the Quartering Act in peacetime, and the continual support of a monarch that only supported her own best interests.
America had a sense of freedom and independence, due to being ignored by Great Britain. In 1763, because of terrible circumstances and hardships that the British were facing from the costs of war, they decided it was time to take control of the colonies, in a bid to boost the British economy (Hewitt & Lawson, 2017, p. 5.9). This caused them to pass several acts to have tighter control of the American colonies, assert their power, and economically benefit British government. According to Hewitt & Lawson (2017), there was a Sugar Act passed in 1764, which was an import tax on items like “sugar, coffee, wines, and other luxury items,” a Currency Act making it illegal to print money, and the announcement of a Stamp Act for the taxing of items such as newspapers and playing cards, (p. 5.9, 5.10). These actions caused many protests from the Americans against the British, which sometimes turned violent. For example, Peter Oliver, a Loyalist judge, chronicled several instances, between Aug. 1774-Feb. 1775, of British supporters (Tories/Loyalists) being attacked, harmed, and forced to flee for their lives due
to the actions of mobs of Patriots (1781). In March and April of 1775 there were conventions 2
held in Virginia and New York, respectively, where attendees pledged their support of the Continental Congress (Hewitt & Lawson, 2017, p. 5.16). In January 1776, Thomas Paine published Common Sense
in which he stated, "America is
only a secondary object in the system of British politics" and "Wherefore, her own interest leads her to suppress the growth of ours in every case which doth not promote her advantage, or in the least interfere with it" (1776). All these events led to the Battle of Lexington and Concord in April 1775, which was the beginning of the war, and this led to the Loyalist Militias (Hewitt & Lawson, 2017, p. 5.16). The Americans defeated the British in 1781, however, the war continued
in some places until Sept. 2, 1783, when the Treaty of Paris was signed, and the British vacated the Americas (Hewitt & Lawson, 2017, p. 6.20,6.21). Even though America had won its independence from Britain, the country had a big struggle due to the costs of war. The soldiers were owed back pay, and America was in debt to other governments that assisted them. Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin helped strengthen ties with European countries (Hewitt & Lawson, 2017, p. 6.23). This was important to provide security for America while they were trying to build a new political structure.
A major trend that led to the American Revolution was the taxation that Great Britain enforced on the colonies. Before the French and Indian War, Great Britain had mostly ignored the colonies during a time when Great Britain's economy was healthy. During this time, the colonists believed they had more independence than they genuinely did. However, due to Britain's economic crisis, they decided that the colonies would be their saving grace. Due to reports from British observers, the Crown agreed that they needed to take control over the unruly
colonists, that money could continue to be saved by making the colonists house British troops, and that trade should be taxed (Hewitt & Lawson, 2017, p. 5.9). Thomas Paine (1776) states, 3
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"Wherefore, her own interest leads her to suppress the growth of ours in every case which doth not promote her advantage, or in the least interfere with it" and "A temporary stoppage of trade was an inconvenience, which would have sufficiently balanced the repeal of all the acts complained of, had such repeals been obtained" in support of breaking away from Great Britain. A second trend that relates to the American Revolution was social status enabling one's political identity. How colonist's lived was influenced by their social class, showcasing a marked division between the elite and lower classes. Men from well-to-do families were easily able to rise in politics. However, the rising tensions between those that sought independence and those wanting to maintain the status quo caused great concern for men in political positions. McDonnell (2004) says that with the new definition of patriotism emphasizing political identity over social status, everything on which the elites based their authority and the respect, prestige, and status they demanded was in danger (p. 269). Men in political positions wanted to maintain their power over the lower classes.
The continual taxation by Great Britain and the divide between social classes, with the lower classes not feeling heard, contributed to the American Revolution. The enacting of many taxation acts had a detrimental effect on the colonists. The impact was felt by all, from rising unemployment rates and lower wages to downturns in trade business (Hewitt & Lawson, 2017, p. 5.10). When Grenville announced that there would be a Stamp Act, concerns were raised that "Parliament was taxing colonists who had no representation in its debates and decisions" (Hewitt
& Lawson, 2017, p. 5.10). By providing sufficient notice to the colonies about the upcoming tax,
the colonists had time to gather and lodge formal protests about the taxation without representation (Hewitt & Lawson, 2017, 5.10). The success of these uprisings and the formal 4
protests showed the colonists, from the lower classes to the upper classes, that they could band together for a common cause and effect change. While the American Revolution eventually succeeded in having representation and a voice in matters that pertained to the public, taxation is still a concern today, especially in the post-Covid-19 era. The cost of merchandise has considerably risen and has put quite a strain on American families' finances. Even though there is still a division between social classes, it is much easier today for individuals to rise in social standing. For example, those born into low-
income families have equal opportunities to obtain schooling and become lawyers, politicians, and business owners, to name a few.
One way in which the British colonists illustrated their anti-liberty views was to enforce the taxation laws for the benefit of Great Britain. In an act to gain control of the colonies and improve the British economy, Parliament passed several laws. In 1764 they passed the Sugar Act
and the Currency Act (Hewitt & Lawson, 2017, p. 5.9). The combination of these two acts was a way for Britain to demand more money for the British treasury while inhibiting the colonies from having a ready supply of currency. According to Mason (1990), in 1773, the Tea Act was another way for the British government to increase the treasury. Many residents of the Kent County of Chestertown felt that the British government had gone too far (p. 27). Americans were
appalled by the actions of Parliament. Great Britain was taxing everything to increase the treasury and maintain its control over America. The British colonists did not mind paying taxes, since they felt that Great Britain provided them protection and defense against foreign enemies (Hewitt & Lawson, 2017, p. 5.9). They also did not mind paying it because those that resided in Great Britain were taxed 10%, as opposed to the 1% that colonists were being taxed.
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Another way in which Great Britain showed that they were anti-liberty was the enforcement of the Quartering Act during peacetime. According to Hewitt & Lawson (2017), in 1763, King George III chose George Grenville to be the head of the British government to take control over the colonies (p. 5.9). He decided that one of the ways to accomplish this was to extend wartime policies to times of peace. To this end, the Quartering Act of 1765 was passed. Under the Quartering Act, colonials had to allow British troops use of buildings and provide them food and supplies (Hewitt & Lawson, 2017. p. 5.9). This enabled British soldiers and officials to keep an eye on the colonials and enforce their laws on a group that many thought to be rebellious and criminals. King George and Parliament felt the opposition to British rule was dangerous, and the British government needed to be kept aware of the colonist's thoughts and actions.
The continual support of a monarch that only supported her best interests, is another way in which the British colonials showed that they were anti-liberty. Thomas Paine (1776), states that even though we have had the protection of Great Britain from foreign enemies, these enemies were Great Britain's and not the colonies. If America were not under British rule, there would be peace between European countries and America. By Great Britain retaining control over America, they had access to American ports for trading and could collect taxes on different trade items. According to Inglis (1776), if America were to become independent, then the British
colonists would lose their land, and America would lose the ability to trade with the West Indies,
which many of the British colonists benefitted from (p. 4). McDonnell (2004) states that British colonials that held positions of power enjoyed "privileges they had derived from a political and social culture that they had no intention of rebelling against at the outset of colonial resistance" (p. 269). The British colonials involved in politics used their position to gain the colonists' favor 6
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and remind them of their duty to the monarch since they were British subjects that owed their allegiance to Great Britain.
One of the most significant events in history is the American Revolution and the events that led to war. The Revolutionary War shaped the way America is today and had a lasting impact on both the British and Americans. To understand the significance of this event, it is important to understand why the British colonists were not pragmatists but anti-liberty. By continually taxing the colonies and not allowing the colonists to have any input on the different laws that were passed, the British could maintain control and keep America under its thumb. American colonials were required to provide British troops with buildings, food, and supplies during wartime and peacetime (Hewitt & Lawson, 2017. p. 5.9). This enabled the British government to have “spies” that would report back on the actions of the colonists. If America were to become independent from Great Britain, the British colonists stood to lose their land and many trading benefits that they prospered from (Inglis, 1776, p.4). By opposing America’s freedom, the British colonists could continue life as they were, and the British government could continue to benefit from the colonies.
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References
Hewitt, N. A., & Lawson, S. F. (2017).
Exploring American histories: To 1865
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Inglis, C. (1776).
The deceiver unmasked; or, loyalty and interest united: In answer to a pamphlet entitled Common Sense
. America in Class: Resources for history & literature teachers.
https://americainclass.org/sources/makingrevolution/rebellion/text1/
cooperpatriotsnorthamerica.pdf
Mason, K. (1990). Localism, evangelicalism, and Loyalism: The sources of discontent in the revolutionary Chesapeake.
The Journal of Southern History
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https://doi.org/10.2307/2210663
McDonnell, M. A. (2004). A world turned "Topsy turvy": Robert Munford, "The patriots", and the crisis of the revolution in Virginia.
William and Mary Quarterly
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(2), 235-
270.
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Paine, T. (1776).
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