Emergence of the new American nation

Emergence of the new American nation

During the early seventeenth century, settlers came to the New World for many reasons but remained loyal to the Great Britain, and still considered themselves subjects of the king. Few would have guessed that by 1776, the colonists would be declaring independence.

Over time, tensions between the British and the colonists grew. The colonists began to question how to best rule the new colonies. They felt that the crown could not govern its subjects in the colonies with the same reign used at home. After a century and a half of physical separation, the further development of colonial industry, and the beginning of self governance, the colonies’ ties and loyalties to the crown began to weaken. The colonists felt that they were unfairly taxed, that their grievances were ignored, and annoyed by the British presence. The British on the other hand, felt the colonists were stubborn and selfish for their unwillingness to pay their fair share for the administration of the Empire because even the citizens of England paid more in taxes than was asked of any American during the entire time of the crisis.  

From 1754 to 1763, the British and the colonists fought France and their Indian allies over the Ohio River Valley. This war left Britain with a large debt and more land to protect. The British Parliament imposed several taxation acts to raise money to pay for the war as well as the expenses of administering the colonies. To begin with, these taxes did not offend the colonists, but they feared the act would establish a precedent for the British Parliament to completely control the colonies. Colonies began the political cry “no taxation without representation.” The Quartering Act passed, required colonists to house the British troops, which added to their frustration with Parliament. Understandably, most colonists, especially the merchants were outraged.  The patriots began to feel the government took too much away from them through taxes which violated their rights. Without any voice in Parliament, the colonies were not represented. In their point of view, they had fought in the French and Indian war, and had done their part, and no longer needed protection from the British. Representatives from nine of the thirteen colonies created a list of crown violations of the colonists’ fundamental rights, but this did little to stop the onslaught of taxing measures. The Olive Branch petition was sent to King George III asking for a peaceful resolution to the problems in the colonies. After it was rejected, the colonies decided to declare independence.

From the British point of view, they believed colonists were British subjects and should obey British law, that the colonies would be weak without Britain. The colonists on the other hand felt the British were unreasonable in their demands and gave nothing in return.