British oppression: the cause of the American Revolution?
The American Revolution was costly and bloody war that granted the Americans the independence for which they fought. This 8-year-long revolutionary war from 1775 to 1783 is considered one of the greatest revolutions of all time in that the Americans had defeated the most powerful nation in the world at the time, Great Britain. The American Revolution is a critical event in the history of the United States and has been explored and evaluated by numerous historians of the 20th century. Whether or not the revolution is justifiable by the American colonists is a long, debatable subject. Some historians assume that the American Revolution is a result of colonial selfishness and ideology whereas some argue that "only oppression ... can justify war" (McLaughlin C. Andrew). All in all, it can be conclusively demonstrated that British oppression towards the colonists is largely responsible for the American Revolution. In fact, particularly after the French and Indian war, England was beginning to rule tyrannically and severely oppress the colonists especially in the economic field.
Before interpreting how Britain oppressed the colonists after the Seven Year 's War, it is important to know that even before this war Britain was already showing oppression under the practice of mercantilism. Hacker comments that "beginning in 1660 England gave new strength and direction to its empire. It began exerting stronger controls over the economic activities of the colonies" (DiBacco et al. 59) These stern policies were known as the Navigation Acts. The first Navigation Act of 1660 ordered that all colonial trade had to be in British ships or colonial ships with British captains. This act also ordered that goods such as indigo, sugar, and tobacco were to be sold only to England or another colony. Furthermore, "The law was directed against the Dutch maritime trade, which was very great at that time" (Elson Henry). The second Navigation Act of 1663 assured that all European imports to the
Before interpreting how Britain oppressed the colonists after the Seven Year 's War, it is important to know that even before this war Britain was already showing oppression under the practice of mercantilism. Hacker comments that "beginning in 1660 England gave new strength and direction to its empire. It began exerting stronger controls over the economic activities of the colonies" (DiBacco et al. 59) These stern policies were known as the Navigation Acts. The first Navigation Act of 1660 ordered that all colonial trade had to be in British ships or colonial ships with British captains. This act also ordered that goods such as indigo, sugar, and tobacco were to be sold only to England or another colony. Furthermore, "The law was directed against the Dutch maritime trade, which was very great at that time" (Elson Henry). The second Navigation Act of 1663 assured that all European imports to the