American Colonist Case

Were the American colonist justified in waging war and breaking away from Britain? Some people think Americans were justified for two reasons. First of all, British taxes were unfair. Another reason was that the British were abusive. On the other hand, there were people who believed Americans were not justified for two reasons. One reason was that British takes were fair. Another reason was that Americans exaggerated about British abuses.

The first reason the colonist were justified was that the British taxes were unfair John Dickenson, a member of the stamp act congress, said," The Townshend Acts claim the authority to impose on these colonies, not for the regulation of trade... but for the single purpose of levying, money upon us,"(2). What Dickinson means was that the British were attempting to impose on unfair levy. All previous taxes were designed to regulate trade. This was written to buy British goods instead of foreign goods. The Townshend acts on the other hand, had the sole purpose of raising revenue. For example, the Stamp act was passed so the British could pay of their war debts. Colonist who needed official approval for things like marriage had to pay this unavoidable tax, the colonists were justified rebelling.

The second reason the colonist were justified was that the British were abusive. 2nd CC authors of the D.O.I. the 2nd CC, said," The history of the present king of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations [unlawful seizures], all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States,"(7). What the 2nd CC was saying is that the Quartering act was abusive because the Quartering act was to help the British soldiers but it did not do that all. The Soldiers kept the colonists from being able to talk in meetings and to try to revolt against the British. The colonists should have deserved there independence. The British were trying to make the colonists not be able to do anything.

The first reason the colonists were not justified is that British taxes were actually fair. Tomas Whately author of the Stamp Act. Whatley, said," we are not yet recovered form a War undertaken solely for their [the Americans'] Protection... a War undertaken for their defense only... they should contribute to the preservation of the Advantages they have received..."(1) According to Whately, wars are expensive. The British fought to protect the Americans, and Whately argued that as a result, the Americans should help pay for part of the war cost, the French and Indian war, for example was very costly. Uniforms, weapons, salaries, and food had to be paid for. The British went into debt fighting the French, Algonquin and Huron in North America. Whately helped write the Stamp Act, which required payment to diplomas, documents, cards, and dice. Whately felt that his tax was a far way for Americans to help pay off British war debts. Because this tax