What triggered the American Revolution?



  No revolution, of course, can be fully exported.  A vast array of factors that include the political and social backgrounds of a people will shape the precise course of any and all revolutions.


British soldiers sack a New England Home

  In 1606, the British began to colonize America when a group of English set up a plantation in Virginia. By 1733, there were already thirteen colonies in America along the Atlantic coast. The colonists, who were mainly English, totalled one and a half million. There were also Irish, Scottish, Dutch, German, Swedish and other settlements in these colonies.


Map of the 13 colonies



 
 
 
 

  At first, the British Government did not control the colonies strictly. In each colony, there was a governer sent from London by appointment. The colonists elected a local assembly to help and advise the governor in making decisions. Usually, the laws were passed in the assembly and then sent to the British Parliament for approval. So, the colonists enjoyed a great deal of freedom and autonomy, and developed a sense of independence.

  But Britain wanted to increase its national income by decreasing imports and increasing exports. So Britain began to treat its colonies as sources of raw materials for the British industries and as markets for British goods.In the early 18th century, the British Parliament passed a series of laws to control trade in the American colonies. But these laws were not strictly enforced until 1763 when Britain wanted to raise more money from the colonies.
 

  Between 1756-1763, Britain was drawn into a world-wide conflict called the Seven Year's War. This war spread to North America where Britain and France were already disputing each other's territorial claims. In America, the war was called the French and Indian War. Britain won the war in North America in 1761 and obtained additional territories. She controlled the whole of North America from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mississippi River.

  The Seven Year's War created problems for the British. Britain had spent so much money on the War that her national debt had nearly doubled. Also, Britain had to find ways to strengthen her control over her enlarged American Territory. Therefore, after 1763, the Parliament passed a number of laws to tighten economic control over the colonies. Britain tried to make more profits from the colonies. This led to the conflicts between the British government and the colonists.
 

  By the mid 18th century, many colonists were already familiar with John Locke's ideas. They eagerly read the works of the great Enlightenment thinkers, especially Rousseau's. The colonists were influenced by the idea that they could revolt against a government which suppressed their natural rights.




  The colonists were already accustomed to governing themselves and had developed a sense of unity and independence. They began to think of themselves as Americans rather than English. When Britain tightened her economic control over them, the colonists deeply resented what they thought was British interference in their affairs.

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