Effect Of British On Amer Rev Essay

Effect Of British On Amer. Rev Essay, Research Paper

The British Impact on the American Revolution

The French and Indian War was the last of the four American wars waged from 1689 to 1763 between the British and the French. In all of these wars, each country fought for the control of the continent with the assistance of Native Americans and Colonist Allies. (Axtell 97) This final war determined that English rather than French ideas and institutions would dominate North America. In winning the war, the British government doubled its territory and national debt. (Axtell 101) The war also gave the colonists their first taste of economic, and social freedom from England. The combination of these factors precipitated the American revolution.

The French and Indian war signaled a great change in English colonial policy. Before, colonies were valued primarily as sources of raw materials. Now, because of the Industrial Revolution they were considered more valuable as potential markets for English manufactured goods. (Axtell 187) “This shift of economic emphasis was accompanied by a program of administrative reform designed to reinforce and intensify English military and economic control of its colonies” (Axtell 190).

To Americans, the main result of the war was that with Canada and Florida now under English control, the mainland colonies were not longer in danger from attack by either France or Spain. (Leach 109) The American colonists no longer, therefore, felt they needed the English military for protection. “Thoughts of independence did not enter into the minds of most Americans, but Americans did begin to

feel that England was mistreating them and independence was an option now open for them” (Leach 110).

The French and Indian War also had another result that was largely psychological in nature. This was the first time the English and the colonists had worked closely together for a common cause.

“A mutual dislike and distrust developed; which hurt relations during and long after the French and Indian War” (Jennings 47). The English were furious that the colonial assemblies refused to vote for the supplies needed and even when passed only gave a small amount of financial aid. One British General described the colonial troops as “unenthusiastic about fighting and in general the dirtiest, most contemptible cowardly boys that your could possibly conceive” (Curwen, March 1745). The British pointed to another sign of the American treachery stating “Americans continued to trade with the enemy throughout the war and even bragged of their profiting from these ventures” (Jennings 52).

The Americans had similar views of the English. “They were bothered by the arrogance of English naval and military officers, who treated colonial political and military leaders as if they were morons, and forcibly enlisted Americans into the English Army and Navy” (Jennings 54). One reason Americans did not wish to fight with the English officers was their lack of knowledge regarding fighting “Indian style,” military techniques necessary for success in North America. (Jennings 70) “Americans did not appreciate being led into ambushes, which happened on several occasions during this war” (de Cr vecoeur 1782).

The French and Indian War had more than just psychological results, however. The colonies had “matured and politically developed a spirit of self-confidence” (Morris 246). This new spirit can be seen especially near the end of the war. For example, in 1761, several Boston merchants challenged

the legality of “writs of assistance.” This was used during the war to prevent smuggling. (Morris 248) A “writ of assistance” was a court order which authorized sheriffs, constables, and other peace officers to aid custom officials in the search for smuggled goods. (Morris 249) No time limit was placed on these “writs” nor were any sworn statements that said goods were concealed in a certain place

necessary to ensue a “writ.” Therefore merchants were at the mercy of corrupt officials. (Morris 256) On several occasions, consequently, valuable cargo in warehouses was discovered and confiscated, some legal, others not. The merchants had no rights in these matters, and when new “writs” were issued in 1760 by King George II, a Boston merchant recognizing how dangerous this could be again, decided to bring his case the Massachusetts Superior Court challenging these “writs.” (Morris 257) The case was heard in 1763 and again in 1776. The case was lost both times, but public opinion had grown against the “writs” and this gradually forced the British authorities to stop issuing them. (Morris 259)

In another important case, Patrick Henry showed how “politically sophisticated Americans had become” (Wood 372). He challenged the authority of the British government and whether or not colonists had to continue to follow unfair laws placed upon them. (Wood 373) The case involved the salaries of Anglican clergymen in Virginia. They had always been paid their salaries with tobacco instead of cash. But in 1858, because of a serious drought, “the price of tobacco went sky high, courting six pence a pound” (Wood 374). This caused the British government to intervene and pass the “Two Penny Act,” making it possible for salaries and debts paid in tobacco, to be paid in cash at the rate of two pence a pound of tobacco. (Wood 374) This caused th