Economic And Political Social Differences example essay topic

Since the historical conflict between Great Britain and her North American colonies began to unfold, historians have searched for the reasoning behind it. Many experts have discussed the various reasons for the conflict. Some experts believe the conflict occurred because America and Britain had become vastly different social and political entities. Others say that economical disagreements caused the conflict. However, these economical and social forces worked hand-in-hand to slowly erode away the binds that held America to its Mother Country.

The traditional liberties of Britain and the newly established liberties of America were very different. After the French and Indian War, the colonies were 'heavily'; taxed to sow together the damaged British pocketbook. These economical problems and social distinctions needed to be mended simultaneously or the war could not be avoided. First, the traditional liberties of Britain were considerably different from the political and social origins of America. From the beginning, America developed different character than its Mother Country of Great Britain. In New England, where the seeds of revolution were sown, merchants used their shipping trade to defy English duties on sugar.

As a result of this, additional troops were sent to the colonies to enforce British laws. Later, when the Quartering Act was passed, Americans complained against not only the taxation, but also an infringement on their rights of property. Before the conflict between Britain and France over the Ohio Valley and Canada, America was given practically free reign over its political liberties too. It set up colonial legislatures and citizenship by the act of owning land.

Its government system wasn't based on birthright and a monarch, they were for individual freedoms and the right to participate in government. But when the 'tyrannical'; King George jumped in demanding control of the colonies, they were angered and looked for a way to keep their liberties. Second, America was taxed by the British government to decrease its national debt. Due to their differences in economic base, Britain was self-sufficient in manufacturing goods and the colonies in agriculture. They both needed each other to survive initially.

Later, however, America grew more self-sufficient and was able to survive without Britain's helping hand. America had developed ships to trade with, which were primarily based in the New England colonies. America developed a strong agricultural base and crop source in the southern plantations and middle, 'bread'; , colonies. They also utilized these economic resources by generating trade with other countries such as France and her West Indian colonies. But they lacked gold and silver to do business with whichever decreasing because of British taxation.

To top it off, Britain didn't give its colonies parliamentary representation or economic freedom of mobility because of the decreased nobility in their taxation and legislation. So, this resulted in further discontent. Third, their conflicting differences could not be resolved because, to be mended, they both had to be repaired together. The economic and political / social differences of these two warring countries fed off each other.

The Proclamation of 1763 was socially and politically hindering to the colonies and it, logically, led to over-population in some areas. Over-population led to the cramming of frontier citizens into the established cities. When the Sugar Act was passed, isolated acts of violence occurred, such as the Boston Massacre. King George was infuriated by this and pressed Parliament to pass the Quartering Act to punish the 'back-water'; Americans. Now not only were the frontiersmen crammed into the cities looking for work, but the British army was too. Unfortunately for these soldiers, their orders did not give them much to do so they also competed for jobs.

The Quartering Act added even more tension between the Americans and their British 'mother'; . If the damage was repaired earlier than war may have been avoided but the course was set, it could not be turned. Parliamentary Acts, such as the Quartering Act, infringed on the rights of the Americans. Their traditional, 'English'; rights had been ignored. Americans and their supporters were enraged and showed their anger through violence. The parliament, in turn, taxed the colonies heavily for money the Americans did not have.

This infuriated the Americans further, leading them to war. And the combination of these economical and political / social differences between the Colonies and their Mother Country resulted in the War of Independence.