Did Economic Issues Lead to the American Revolution?

The beginning of the American Revolution was caused by many different circumstances. The economic issues the colonists faced led to extreme anger and was a direct cause of the American Revolution. One may argue that the colonists profited greatly from trade with Britain however after 1763 Britain passed harsh laws and took advantage of the colonists. After 1763 the colonists were taken advantage of by the British and lost a lot of their money. These economic hardships outweighed the profits the colonists once enjoyed and it is clear that the economic issues led to the American Revolution.

Britain's policy of salutary neglect worked wonderfully for the colonists but after 1763 and once Britain started to enforce its mercantilist policies the fuse for the American Revolution was lit. Southern colonists grew tobacco, sugar, and rice these crops were non - English so they were valued more in Britain. Even though these crops were valued more British merchants were able to rip off the colonists. The southern colonists lost a lot of money since they could by British law only trade with the British merchants. Being at the mercy of the British merchants the price of the southern crops fell dramatically putting the colonists into debt. This debt required the southern colonists mortgage their future crops which meant years of debt for southern colonists. Eventually southern colonists joined the northern colonists in agitating revolt.

Before 1763 the argument can be made that the colonists were treated very well by the British. The British were only able to treat their colonies well before 1763 because they were not in debt. Britain did not need to worry about getting all the money it could out of its colonies until after the French and Indian war. This shows that Britain was only able to treat the colonies right during the financially good times and that is why during the bad times the colonists were poor and they felt it was necessary for revolution.

The revolutionary war was fought for many reasons. The colonists were clearly not happy with the way the British treated them. It is also evident that the economic issues that the colonists faced especially in the southern part of America played a crucial role in the decisions of colonists to become pro - freedom. The economic issues at times were not present but it is clear the colonists could not be milked by Britain that is why it is evident that the economic issues were the final straw and that the revolution was inevitable.

Sources

Bailey A., Thomas, David M. Kennedy, and Lizabeth Cohen. The American Pageant. 11th Edition. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1998.