Blog Response:9/30/11

1. At the time, the American Revolution seemed justified. This is because the colonists landed without restriction to certain liberties such as westward expansion into Indian territory. They were also free of taxes and basically led a separate course of life from Britain. Thus, when the British taxed the colonists intervened and banned westward expansion, it appeared to the colonists that Britain was placing burdens on their lives and hindering their rights. But actually, Britain had the right to do this. It was, after all, the mother country. America was a British colony, therefore subject to British rule. Yet the colonists didn't see it that way. They saw the all the tax acts and the Proclamation Line as destroyers of their rights, the rights that they came here with. If Britain had laid out the taxes and rules before the colonies were settled, then the colonists would not have argued. One aspect that Britain could have done better was that they should have found a way to represent the colonies in Parliament better. This rightfully upset the colonies because there was no way someone hundreds of miles away could accurately make decisions on what is best for the colony without actually being there.

2. Primary Source Questions:

1) The quotations suggest that they fundamental causes of the Revolution were that Britain burdened with too many rules and taxes. Britain taxed the colonists often which annoyed them because it was something which they have never done before. Britain also took away their local governments and installed royal governors. Also, those colonists with holdings to the west of the Proclamation Line had their charters taken away. Britain also barely represented them in Parliament, saying that the colonists were virtually represented. Yet the colonists felt that this was unfair because nobody so far away could tell what the colonists needed without actually being in the colonies. 

2) In reading 4, the colonists stated that the constitution states that nobody should be taxed without their consent. Therefore, Britain taxing the colonies without their consent in Parliament is unjust. In reading 6, it states that representation for the colonies was impractical because it is such a tedious thing to do. The representative would have to travel back and forth from the colonies, a process that takes months. In that span of time, the situation in the colonies might change and the representative may report some false information. Article 8 states that some colonists wanted to separate from Britain not just because of tax reasons, but because of Britain's relationships with other nations. Thomas Paine writes that if the colonies were too involved with Britain, then enemies of Britain would also become enemies of the colonies, thus putting them in danger and making one less trading partner. Paine also talks about how Britain is an oppressive country, due to it having a king. Therefore, to maintain the freedom that each colonist came over here in search for, they would have to step up and rise against the British to protect this freedom.

3) No. Colonists in the North, typically around the Boston area, experienced tenser relations with the British. This can be attributed to the Boston Massacre, Boston Tea Party, Boston Port Act, Gaspee Affair, etc. Also, many British troops were around the Boston area, creating a constant British shadow on the colonists. In article 7, a Tory writes that it is New England's fault that everybody in the colonies is aroused against the British. Also, those from different social classes had different social ideas. The merchants and traders generally had a tougher time with the British because many tax acts directly concerned them. Also, the constant patrolling of the British Navy in the Atlantic caught many of them in the act of smuggling.

4) The colonists were not completely paranoid and exaggerated but on the other hand they weren't completely calm and careful. Yet at the time it seemed like the right thing to do. The colonists started out rather tax-free and were monitored by salutary neglect from Britain. Therefore when Britain started taxing them and taking away certain liberties, the colonists felt as if they were being cornered. The colonists felt as if the taxing and restricting would never end, therefore they rebelled. Also, the newer generations of Americans did not feel any loyalty to Britain because they never lived there. Therefore they could not recall any sense of duty to Britain when the taxes came on. The colonists were a little extreme at times, though. For example, the burning of the Gaspee was quite the act of violence. The commanding officer of the ship was even shot. Also, the depiction of the Boston Massacre was not very accurate. The most famous one showed a British officer directing British troops to fire into a crowd of unarmed Boston citizens. 

3. Impact of the Revolution

1) With the Revolution passed, many people began seeking these rights and liberties that they had fought so hard for. Women in particular began showing a voice. Yet, this was typically scorned upon and it would take about 300 years more until women were fully granted equal rights with men. In readings 1 and 2, Abigail Adams and her husband John Adams exchange letters regarding the social positions of males and females in society. Abigail makes it particularly clear that if women don't see some equality of rights, they are likely to rebel. They are citizens and therefore want representation of their gender in government and other positions. John responds in quite a sarcastic and unfair tone. Although Adams does acknowledge that women desire to see more equality, he goes on to say that they "know better than to repeal our masculine system", thereby stating that men are more dominant in society. Women at this time are still looked down upon and not considered equals to men.

2) Like women, slaves and human rights activists also chose this time after the Revolution to claim and define the rights for which they fought for. Quock Case states in reading 3 that ..."color, complexion, or shape of noses-features" having nothing to do with determining who has what rights and liberties. A person is born with certain rights and liberties and has them all protected by law and even God. Case implies that it is immoral for Christians to treat fellow human beings in such a way. He states that Heaven accepts them as all the same. Reading 4 talks about how the colonies should go about helping the slaves. Thomas Jefferson states that they "must make to them some retribution for the long course of injuries we have been committing on their population." He suggests creating a colony in Africa and helping them reconnect with their culture. Jefferson also suggests freeing the slaves and the newborns of slaves and allowing them to work until a certain age before deporting them. The attitude towards slavery has definitely changed, especially in the North (i.e. Massachusetts). Before the Revolution slaves were mostly looked down upon and treated badly. Even during the Revolution, slaves revolted against their owners to help the British and possibly gain their freedom. Even with this, the atmosphere toward slavery in the colony began to change. Now, the colonies are questioning whether slavery is justified and how they should help the slaves reach their freedom that they deserve.