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| The American Revolution | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Jul 3 2015, 09:20 PM (46 Views) | |
| Triodard and Florard | Jul 3 2015, 09:20 PM Post #1 |
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On the eve of Independence day, I'd like to discuss a topic I find rather interesting and relevant: The American Revolution. In particular, do you think it was justified or unjustified? Just how much injustice is necessary before the taking of human life is warranted? The Colonists had reasons to be dissatisfied with British rule (You can judge just how valid the reasons are based on your beliefs), such as: - British courts making unfair and biased rulings - Annoying taxes on everyday items such as tea and paper - Lack of representation in Parliament - Poor conduct and even brutality by 'foreign' British soldiers - Forced quartering of British soldiers in Colonial homes - The Proclamation if 1763, which banned Colonists from simply settling in the Ohio River Valley (Among other areas west of the Appalachians), one of the biggest reasons many fought in the French and Indian War - Increased taxes after the war ended - Restrictions on free trade and monetary policy - Corrupt British officials - Harsh punishments for disobedience, such as closing the Boston's harbor until all damages from the Boston Tea Party were repaid Among other reasons. However, there are many arguments as to why it would be better to stay under British rule, including: - Shared heritage and culture - Protection from foreign threats by what was arguably the best military in the world - British citizens living in the British Isles themselves had more taxes than their American counterparts - The Proclamation of 1763 was meant in part to keep the often pro-French Native Americans from feeling overly threatened by rapid British expansion and violently retaliating against the Colonists - Taxes were increased to fund the massive military effort needed to protect the American Colonies from the French during the French and Indian War - It is just for the destruction of property to be punished An important fact to take into account is that, in the beginning, the vast majority of the rebels did not want to separate from the British Empire. Their intention was to secure their rights as Englishmen. Very few of them probably foresaw a prolonged war that would end in a clear victory for the rebels, and merely thought it was a way to, in the short term, protect their rights, and in the long term, let the British know that they were serious about their cause so they would actually make a change. They tried several times to peacefully change the system, mainly through boycotts and petitions, and they succeeded in making small changes, but they still felt unrepresented, ignored, and marginalized by Parliament and the Crown. A prime example was when, in response to American opposition, Parliament repealed the Stamp Act, but swiftly passed the Declaratory Act, which more or less legally solidified Parliament's authority to pass laws pertaining to the British colonies in the Americas. Now, I don't want to consider the actual effects of the war and the actual changes it made. However, if we took into account what was known in early 1775, was the American Revolution justified? I think it might be best for you to post your opinion before reading mine, just to reduce bias as much as possible, so I'll post it in the spoiler below so you can read it at your leisure: Spoiler: click to toggle
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| Larsland | Jul 4 2015, 12:18 AM Post #2 |
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In general, I hate war & conflict. It is difficult to imagine America being worse off had the revolution not happened. |
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| Triodard and Florard | Jul 4 2015, 01:17 AM Post #3 |
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I agree. In terms of long term effect, Pretty much all of the other English colonies that the British actually developed instead of just draining resources turned out fine, like Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The long term effects on the world would probably be dramatically different, and I don't think we can even try to speculate about that with any degree of accuracy. My most immediate guesses are a delayed French Revolution and no rise of Napoleon. |
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| Electus Dei | Jul 4 2015, 01:36 AM Post #4 |
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Interesting topic... my opinion? I'm against it. The same revolution created the outdated gun rules that STILL exist today in America, and it was a useless waste of lives and property. So much bloodshed... for no real gain. |
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| Nordwalsh | Jul 4 2015, 09:33 AM Post #5 |
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I've honestly never given any thought to whether the revolution was necessary or justified. It's always just been a fact of life that it happened and that without it, good ol' Murica wouldn't exist in anything close to its current state (which could be good or bad). But now that I give it some thought, it probably wasn't justified. A lot of alternate timelines out there with no revolution happening\the revolution being crushed\being ended diplomatically I see a vastly more powerful British Empire with British North American taking the title from India of "crown jewel of the empire", Australia and South Africa being neglected in favor of their more beautiful big sister (and possibly seized by other colonial powers), various powerful and loyal Native American tribes being granted autonomy similar to the status of Indian Princely states, and political power eventually shifting west to America. But it's impossible to account for everything or say "this would've happened for sure", so...*shrug* |
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