Mercantilism And The American Revolutionary War

The American Revolutionary War was fought and won by the Colonists because of an idea. The idea was freedom. There are many reasons why freedom became a pertinent idea to the colonists and in this paper I shall discuss what events lead up to this idea. I shall examine the British theory of mercantilism, the French-Indian War, and many of the acts that Great Britain sought to make the Colonists to abide by. Through these three events, the idea of freedom blossomed within many Colonists ' thoughts, and like a growing child, the Colonists would stop at nothing to pursue the independence of adulthood and freedom.

British mercantilism was a theory to bring all thirteen of the American Colonies together. It is defined as an "economic system whereby
Mercantilism created wealth through the importation of resources from the American Colonies to make exportable goods. Finished goods were then sold back to the Colonies and around the world. The theory of mercantilism can best be seen through the Trade and Navigation Acts of 1640 - 1776 . The acts stated that Colonial goods were allowed to be shipped only on Colonial or British vessels, thus limiting trade solely to Great Britain. The acts also stated that goods imported from outside of Great Britain must first pass through Great Britain to be taxed, thereby discouraging trade from outside Great Britain. Finally, the acts stated prescribed what goods the Colonists were permitted to manufacture. These goods, called "enumerated products" were sold only to Great Britain, forcing Americans to trade almost exclusively with Britain. The impact of British mercantilism on the Colonies was split between the Northern Colonies and the Southern Colonies. The Northern
2.The Declaratory Act of 1766, which gave the Parliament sovereignty over the Colonies "in all cases whatsoever."

3.The Townsend Act of 1767, which put a sales tax on everyday items imported from England and gave British soldiers the right to use a writ of assistance. This act also took away, yet again, the colonists right to trial by jury and would send any "guilty" party to England for court, as well as giving the British soldiers the right to collect taxes.

4.The Coercive Acts of 1774 (Intolerable Acts) closed the Port of Boston, restricted town meetings and forced the quartering of British troops in Boston.

These acts gave the British government the right to occupy the Colonial territory. The Colonists felt choked and were ready to take