American Revolution
Mercantilism is an economic doctrine that advocates government control of foreign
trade is of at most importance. it was based on the idea that the parent country
should regulate the economy at home and also the colonies abroad, so as to
increase the national power (wealth) and achieve a positive balance of trade
AR is an Ideal event with regard tot he establishment of modern political setup like
bill of rights, republic etc. the masses of america were frustated by the foreign
domination and especially the Mercantalist policies of Britishers and this anger took
the form of revolution in later years
Causes for AR
Economic Exploitation Mercantilism
Role of intellectuals
social structure of America
7 years war with France
Economic Exploitation
Britishers acquired major control over american affairs due to strong naval force.
Queen Elizabeth promoted state sponsored policy of settlement in America.
Britishers assumed that it is their natural right to harvest the produce of Americans.
on top of it to full-fill their objective they imposed several mercantilist policy to
economically dominate and control the Americans
Navigation Laws 1651 - american colonies were mandated to trade with other
countries with compulsory use of British ships therefore the trade of Americans
were completely under the control of Britishers . they never let Americans realise
the true economic value of their produce
Industrial Policy - Americans were not allowed to establish heavy industry or any
industry that can compete with British industry
Tariff and Exim policy - Britishers maintained virtual monopoly over the trade of
american produce that had high commercial value like tobacco, potato etc also
heavy duties were imposed on the export of american goods. these policies led
to several resentment among the colonized and native landlords merchants and
businessman
American Revolution 1
, Role of Intellectuals
whenever a nation and its interest are threatened it is the duty of the intellectuals to
demonstrate the problems and to suggest the solutions.
Thomas Paine published pamphlets titled as commonsense which cleanly
exposed the economic exploitation of america by Britishers
Benjamin Franklin established philosophical societies in different parts of
america with an intension of preaching and awakening the colonist
Henry Patric aroused the masses of america when he stated give me death or
independence
Thomas Jefferson propagated equality ad liberty of american masses
7 year War with France
Britishers and French were involved in this war with an intention to control
Canada. most of the british Naval ships were involved in this war therefore
Americans got a free hand to take their produce like Tobacco etc to different
parts of the world and therefore realized the economic importance and
commercial value of their produce.
Due tot the loosened control the counter banned trade (illegal smuggling) also
flourished in america, it directly violated the manufacturing and trade policy of
the Britishers
When the War ended Americans had a mixed feelings
they were relieved because the threat from the french was gone due to their
defeat in 7 years war
Britishers returned and tried to heighten their control over america through
the strict implementation of Navigation act, measures to control the
smuggling activity, introduced new taxes like stamp act in-order to fund the
defense of american colonies
all these measures were resented by the colonists and stamp act became
the immediate reason for the upheaval against Britishers
Social Structure
America is composed of different states, consisting of masses from different
faiths, profession, ethnicity and origins. landlords and businessman were the
dominant forces and the interest of this class was threatened by the Mercantile
policy of British. therefore 12/13 states revolted Against the policies of British
American Revolution 2
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