Assignment 1.2: A Changing World Final PaperDue Week 5 and worth 140 points‘The discovery of America and that of the passage to the East Indies by the Cape of Good Hope, are the two (2) greatest eve
Running head: An Island Versus a Continent
An Island Versus a Continent
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Institution
An Island Versus a Continent The self-determination of America from the British colonialist was foreseeable; and if it had not taken place in 1776, it couldn’t have taken long. The rapid growth in the colonies could have been instrumental in achieving this objective. The issue of an island ruling a continent was quite outrageous. When the King sent 25,000 soldiers against an armed population of 1.5 million, the British were outnumbered. Three motivating factors for colonists that helped to ignite the American Revolution 1. Taxation The Indian and French wars which happened during 1756 to 1763 was too costly for Britain; therefore, to pay off the debts they sustained throughout the war, the British government resolved to impose taxation on the American colonies. Many taxation acts were introduced like stamp and Townshend acts and later repealed in an absolute attempt to get money to pay off the debts which were brought about by the war. The America colonies were irritated and protested on the taxation being levied upon them by the British government, which they considered was quietly distanced from them. This was the beginning of the Boston massacre which occurred in 1770. 2. The Boston Tea Party The repeal of the Townshend Act of 1767 which imposed taxes on paper, lead and glasses led to protest by the colonies who tried to stop the East Indian Company ships from docking while delivering Tea. A group masquerading as Mohawk Indians gained entrance into the three vessels and threw Tea worth $800,000 into the sea of Boston Harbour.The response from the British government was swift; they introduced the Intolerable act in an attempt to crush the rebellion and put the American colonists under control.3. The Intolerable Acts The formation of Continental Congress and the unified colonial resistance against Britain was as a result of the introduction of the Intolerable Act.The Quartering Act called for the colonists to offer barracks for British soldiers and in the long run, accommodate them in their homes. The colonists were required to board a ship to stand trial in Britain according to the new acts which were passed to crush their resolve on their rights. Furthermore, another Act known as the Quebec Act was passed to extend the Canadian border further separating Virginia, Connecticut, and Massachusetts from the rest of the colonists
If you were involved in the American Revolution which side would you choose? Justify your response. I would possibly side with the rebel’s side. The political independence which came with the revolution not forgetting the inspiring acts of equality which was to be enjoyed by the Americans. Above all, the issue of an island ruling a continent was quite outrageous.
