Causes of the American Revolution
The American Revolution took place due to the growing tension between occupants of the 13 North American colonies under the power of Great Britain between the years (1775-1783). By the time Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Independence in 1776 hence leading the American Revolution, several conflicts had already been brewing between the 13 American colonies and Great Britain. The imposition of taxes to the colonies, as well as their need to be free and govern themselves due to their numerous numbers, had resulted to a conflict between the American colonies and the Great British government that led to the American Revolution.
By 1764, residents of the British American Colonies perceived it right to be independent of the authority imposed on them by Great Britain. Most of the residents of the thirteen British colonies wanted to have their own rights, including the ability to maintain their provincial government, military, and civil among themselves. Consequently, the colonies, which had become vast and numerous, were now seeking their own subordinate legislation. The colonies were seeking more than just representation in the British parliament, but their own legislation that could pass reliable laws concerning matters of taxation, duties, and trade impositions. Both black and white colonies under the British rule were perceived as being free-born British subjects, and therefore, entitled to each vital civil right that condemns the idea of their property being taken away without their concern. In the same sense, the imposition of taxes to the colonies was not in line with the rights of the residents in the respective colonies, and an action to do so deprived them of their liberty and made them slaves.
In 1775, Resolutions Stamp Act Congress was passed, and it stipulated that people from the 13 British colonies cannot be represented in Great Britain from the House of Commons. The Act also stated that the representatives among the colonies were supposed to be chosen by themselves; hence no taxes should be imposed on them unless their respective legislatures do it. This Act by Congress made their intentions clear, but the House of Commons in Great Britain did not accept such a proposal from the colonies. According to Jenyns and Johnson (1775), the American colonies under the British rule, and therefore were required to be taxed, just like other colonies. The obligation of taxation of American Colonies by Great Britain’s Legislature was based on the argument that all Englishmen were being taxed despite having no representatives on the parliament, including major trading towns like Birmingham and Manchester. They felt that the same was supposed to apply to her American colonies as they perceived the American states under their rule, including Boston and Albany, were like British subjects and the law of taxation should extend to them, as well as to the entire island of Great Britain. Moreover, since these American colonies were soliciting for protection from Great Britain, it was only right for them to pay for the protection received through taxes. It was argued that for every empire, all communities that were subordinate were required to pay tax since they also shared benefits from the government.
In 1766, The Declaratory Act was then passed by the Great British parliament, and it stated that the respective American colonies and plantations were subordinate and dependent of the crown of Great Britain. The Act further denied all the statues and laws made by the colonies independently and declared them null and void. This also increased the tension between the British. American Colonies and the Great Britain due to the issue of taxation. The Act had laid a groundwork that required the American colonies to be under the British rule in future laws by repealing the Stamp Act by Congress. The Declaratory Act was enough to push for the American Revolution, as the colonies felt like they had no power over Great British, hence pushing them to act fast. More tension was brewing between the American colonies and Great Britain, concerning taxation and the rights of the residents of the colonies, resulting in the first violence in Boston, the Boston Massacre. Soon, other violence erupted, leading to the first draft Declaration of Independence by Thomas Jefferson in 1776 and the formation of a Continental Army that led the colonies to the Revolutionary War that started in 1775 to 1783.
Conclusion
The American Revolution took place between 1775-1783 and led to the independence of American colonies under the rule of Great Britain. Taxation and denial or rights to residents of the colonies were among the feuds that resulted in the American Revolution as the residents in the colonies sought their freedom and right their own legislative taxation. The Declaratory Act also contributed to the American Revolution as it gave the colonies no power to govern themselves or repel laws passed by the British parliament, leaving them no choice but to fight back.
Works Cited