Contributing Factors for the American Revolution Although there were many factors for the American Revolution, one of the main factor is the idea of taxation without representation. The taxes levied on the colonies were considered excessive and unfair, in part because the colonist had no say in the matter. Examples of this grievance in particular are shown in the following documents: Resolutions of the Stamp Act Congress, Letters from a Farmer, No. 2, and A List of Infringements and Violations of Rights.These documents deal with the issues unfair taxation, and with the denial of goods and services.
The document, “Resolutions of the Stamp Act Congress,” penned on October 19, 1765, deals almost entirely with the rights of the colonists. This includes taxation, the seizure of property, and rights in legal matters. It states that while (l) the colonist owe their allegiance to Great Britain, as much as the subjects living within the realm do, (II) the colonist are entitled to the same fghts as those who live within the realm as well.It goes on to state that (Ill, IV, V), no taxes shall be imposed without the consent of the colonies personally or their representatives, and that the representatives are to be selected by the colonists themselves. It also states that (VI), it is unreasonable to grant the crown the property of the colonists. This document also covers legal rights, in that (VI’), trial by Jury is the colonists right of all British subjects in the colonies. In the document, “Letters from a Farmer, No.
2,” the second in a series of letters penned by John Dickenson from 1767-1786, Mr.Dickenson states that to impose taxes the colonists. He disputed the practice of Great Britain taxing goods that the colonists need: i. e. , paper and glass, while prohibiting them from acquiring them elsewhere. He does concede in the 2nd paragraph, that Parliament has the legal authority to regulate the trade of Great Britain and the colonies. It is good for the welfare of all. He does state, though, that while the regulations and duties imposed were originally set up to ensure that the commerce of one part would not be harmful to another, hese duties were never intended strictly to raise revenue.
The third document, “A List of Infringements and Violations of Rights,” adopted by the town of Boston on November 20, 1772, is exactly the name suggests. It covers everything from taxes levied without consent to the appointed officers being given unilateral power with no threat of any risk to themselves. It also addresses the right to a trial by Jury, as well as restraint of trade, by preventing the colonists from erecting mills to produce iron goods or even transporting goods by or across aterways.It also states that the fact that the customs officials invade private homes, taking what they desire, destroying property, and even committing murders with impunity. In conclusion, most of the colonists were frustrated due to not only taxes, but in having no voice in their implantation.
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They were not being afforded the rights that the citizens “of the realm” were due, even down to the right to a trial by Jury. The officers who were put in charge of advocating and collecting taxes were acting with authority of the crown with no checks.The colonists’ goods were being taken.
While they understood and agreed that taxes were necessary, they felt that it was one sided and unfair. They felt that Parliament should not levy taxes without colonists having any voice in Parliament. I think that finally, the reason that the American colonists decided to fight back was because every time they tried to affect change, Great Britain would not listen or change. They did sent additional soldiers to help tax collectors, in essence, bleed the colonists dry.
They decided to rebel and take the rights they deserved.
