Asignment #2: Pre-Revolution Questions - engine of souls

Date: Sep 12, 2007

Asignment #2: Pre-Revolution Questions

Date: Sep 12, 2007

Reexamine the conditions and events leading up to the Revolution from a British perspective, including the system of mercantilism and the imposition of taxes. Discuss why the British might have thought they were being quite generous to the colonists (for example, in defending them from France almost for free) while seeing the Americans as ungrateful and hostile to all authority.
The French and Indian War (1754-63) was a battle that was fought for the right to land in the New World. This protected the colonies from warfare with the French. The Sugar Act (4/5/1764) was one of the many taxes that were set to help with the debt of the war fought for the colonial lands. The Stamp Act (3/22/1765) was another one of those taxes. Britain went too great lengths to protect and keep the land the colonial people call home. I think asking for a small fee to help with the debt isn't too much to ask. The colonial people were outraged and started revolting against a country that protected them. The colonies even used propaganda by outnumbering British soldiers and then getting angry with them for defending themselves calling it a massacre. The British tried to cooperate with the colonies and repealed all the taxes except one the tea tax. When the colonial people acted in such extreme ways such as The Boston Tea Party (12/16/1773). The British didnt know what would become of the colonies, and decided to punish them with the intolerable acts. Thats when the colonial people started congress, a militia, and a revolution.

Date: Sep 12, 2007

Examine the Seven Years' War in Europe. Assess William Pitt's statement that, "America was conquered in Germany." How much did the battles and conflict in the Old World shape the fighting in the New World?
As a result of the Seven years war in Europe or Queen Annes war (War of Spanish Succession in Europe) Great Britain gained a considerable amount of territory from Spain and France including Gibraltar from Spain and Newfoundland, Nova Scotia and the Hudson Bay territory from France, which weakened Frances position considerably in the Americas. William Pitts statement that America was won in Germany meant that Britains control over her colonies in America was won due to the treaties of Utrecht and Braden as a result of the British (and her allies) victory over France (and Spain).

Sources:

http://www.britishbattles.com/spanish-succession/battle-ramillies.htm

http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/PlainTextHistories.asp?historyid=ad06

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_Anne's_War

www.usahistory.com/wars/spansucc.htm

Date: Sep 12, 2007

Chris wrote:

Examine the Seven Years' War in Europe. Assess William Pitt's statement that, "America was conquered in Germany." How much did the battles and conflict in the Old World shape the fighting in the New World?
As a result of the Seven years war in Europe or Queen Annes war (War of Spanish Succession in Europe) Great Britain gained a considerable amount of territory from Spain and France including Gibraltar from Spain and Newfoundland, Nova Scotia and the Hudson Bay territory from France, which weakened Frances position considerably in the Americas. William Pitts statement that America was won in Germany meant that Britains control over her colonies in America was won due to the treaties of Utrecht and Braden as a result of the British (and her allies) victory over France (and Spain).

Sources:
http://www.britishbattles.com/spanish-succession/battle-ramillies.htm
http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/PlainTextHistories.asp?historyid=ad06
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_Anne's_War
www.usahistory.com/wars/spansucc.htm

Chris,

Pitt was referring to the battles in Germany DURING the Seven Years War. The other wars you mentioned happened decades before the Seven Years War (or also known as the French and Indian War, in America).

mr e

Date: Sep 12, 2007

mr e wrote:
· Focus on the question of the inevitability of the War of Independence by asking whether independence might have come without a war. Use Canada as a counterexample to show that British colonies in America did not have to revolt but might have developed autonomy (and eventually independence) peacefully within the empire.

The American Revolution was more than likely inevitable after the Seven Years War. The British taxed the colonies and they began to resent being governed by a power three thousand miles away. They should have the power to tax only in their own lands. This resentment was not all at once. The feeling began in New York; some people sat and took it, while others outright protested it. And since Britain did not want to give up its power overseas I believe that at that time the Revolution was inevitable. In Canada the thoughts were different. They accepted British control, but slowly they began to take control and take responsibility for their own lands. They put together an army and had representation. In World War I they sent troops to aid the British. This is mainly thought of as when Canada became its own real country. Officially it became its own country after the Statute of Westminster came into effect. This statute gave independence to Canada, Newfoundland, New Zealand, Australia, and the Union of South Africa.
http://en.allexperts.com/q/Canadian-History-2762/canada-independence.htm

Date: Sep 12, 2007

mr e wrote
What shaped the European alliances that formed during the eighteenth century? Why did France and Britain clash frequently? Why did France and Spain become allies a number of times? Why was Portugal no longer a major power in colonial affairs or the world?

The main factor in shaping European alliances over the 18^th century were the wars which by some are collectively called The Second Hundred Years War.The primary war during this period was the Seven Years War because it was in a sense the first world war.It split Europe mainly between Britain and France and their allies with Prussia, Portugal, Hanover, and several others siding with Britain and Russia, Austria, Spain, and several others siding with France.

The main reason why Britain and France clashed so frequently because they were the major powers in Europe who both wanted the same thing, to strengthen their Empires and to gain colonial dominance over each other.

France and Spain allied numerous times to combat Britain and its quest for dominance over the colonies, trade, and the Atlantic ocean.

During this time Portugal had and was under attack from other countries, mainly Spain, the Netherlands, and Britain.The empire it had made in the 15^th and 16^th slowly declined due to these attacks over time and continued to decline throughout the 18th century.

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_Years'_War
http://www.answers.com/topic/seven-years-war
http://members.cox.net/johnahamill/sevenyears.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portugal

Date: Sep 13, 2007

What shaped the European alliances that formed during the eighteenth century? Why did France and Britain clash frequently? Why did France and Spain become allies a number of times? Why was Portugal no longer a major power in colonial affairs or the world?

European alliances were formed depending on who owned what lands in the New World. They also were formed by who fought which countries in what wars. For example, France and Spain became alies a number of times because they both were not friendly with England. Spain had fought a war with England in 1739 after the spanish caught a british smuggler in their country and preceded to cut off his ear as a punishment. France and England had fought two war back in Europe: 1689-1697 and 1701-1713. Also, in the New World, the French were starting to have some conflicts invovling land territory with the English. The weak Spanish were not a threat to the French and since they both disliked England, they often were allies.

I got my information from chapters 4-5 in the textbook.

Date: Sep 13, 2007

Question 1: What shaped the European alliances that formed during the eighteenth century? Why did France and Britain clash frequently? Why did France and Spain become allies a number of times? Why was Portugal no longer a major power in colonial affairs or the world?
Answer: The reason behind European alliances that formed during the eighteenth century was religion, different views and opinions about natives, land and trade routes. France and Britain fought frequently because of the fur trade, the Ohio River valley, and the native people. France was doing well with the fur trade and I think that Britain wanted apart of the action. The French lived around the Ohio River valley and the British started to move toward that area which caused confrontation. Also the French were friends with the natives, while the British wanted to exterminate them. Spain and France became allies because both countries disliked and had problems with Britain. The British colonists basically felt like they could take over the new world. Portugal was no longer a major power colonial affairs or the world because they were conquered by the Dutch. The Portuguese lost pretty much everything including the trade routes. At this time I think Portugal was just trying to rebuild itself rather than getting into this world war mess.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dutch-Portuguese_War

Date: Sep 13, 2007

What shaped the European alliances that formed during the eighteenth century? Why did France and Britain clash frequently? Why did France and Spain become allies a number of times? Why was Portugal no longer a major power in colonial affairs or the world?

European alliances in the eighteenth century were often shaped by countries who had common enemies, such as France and Spain. France and Britain had clashed often not only because of differences in religion (France was Catholic, Britain was protestant) (page 129), but also over conflicts for control of Fur Trading territory in the New World(chapter 5). Spain and Britain became enemies after Britain declared war on them in 1739 (page 156). Because of France and Spain finding a common enemy in Britain, they often became allies. Portugal was no longer a major power in colonial affairs or the world because of them being drawn into conflict, and weakened as a result.(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_Years_War)

Page Numbers refer to our school textbook.

Date: Sep 13, 2007

Reexamine the conditions and events leading up to the Revolution from a British perspective, including the system of mercantilism and the imposition of taxes. Discuss why the British might have thought they were being quite generous to the colonists (for example, in defending them from France almost for free) while seeing the Americans as ungrateful and hostile to all authority.

-Great Britain was in measureable debt after the French and Indian War of 1756-1763. To them it seemed only fair that the colonists should repay some of the debt England amounted trying to defend them. In their eyes it was almost overly-generous seeing as it was the colonies job to provide for England and not Englands job to provide for the colonies, so the taxation began.
Not only were the colonists resistant to the taxes but they were resistant to having foreign authority within the colonies as well, even if it was for their own protection. The British were convinced that the colonists were, in essence, being babies, even after everything that they had done for them. So to get back at them and to bring in some revenue they imposed a series of taxes (i.e The Sugar Act of 1764, The Stamp Act of 1765, The Currency Act of 1764 etc.) upon the colonies. Britain believed it was the colonies' duty to serve the empire of Great Britain. They also relied more on the idea of merchantalism or "the idea that colonies existed for the benefit of the Mother Country" and that it was the colonies job to manufacture items to send to England so that they didn't have to buy them from other countries, therefore creating less debt.

Sources:

*The American People - Chapter 5
*About.com - http://712educators.about.com/cs/historyarlessons/l/blamrevlecturea.htm

Date: Sep 13, 2007

Question: What shaped the European alliances that formed during the eighteenth century? Why did France and Britain clash frequently? Why did France and Spain become allies a number of times? Why was Portugal no longer a major power in colonial affairs or the world?
   During the eighteenth century in Europe, many alliances were formed. The front-runners were Britain and France, who had been feuding for a while. France chose the aid of Spain and the Native Americans, more specifically the Iroquois Six Nations. Britain got loads of help from the Canadians and us, the Americans.
   France and Britain clashed often about a number of issues including, the fact that they were archrivals in Europe, North America and the Caribbean. They both had colonial subjects in America and dragged the native North American tribes into their bloody war. France also went to extreme measures to block British intrusion in America.
    France and Spain were often given the chance to be allies for one main reason. France and Spain have a common enemy, Britain. A while back, Britain declared war on Spain and we all know that Britain and France hate each other. To summarize the alliance between France and Spain, each one was the lesser of two evils to the other.
   Portugal was a very powerful country that had major power in colonial affairs and in the world. Portuguese merchants were the first European slave traders until the Dutch replaced them as the major suppliers. Up until about the seventeenth century, Portugal was the sole challenger of Spains domain in America. The Dutch started replacing Portugal in some of their markets and England began to take control of Spain and Portugal. I guess Portugal wasnt powerful enough at the time to keep control of their country under the pressure of the competition.

Date: Sep 13, 2007

Assignment #2 : Pre Revolution Questions

Examine the Seven Years War in Europe. Assess William Pitts statement that America was conquered in Germany How much did the battles and conflict in the Old World shape the fighting in the New World?

The Seven Years War also known as the French and Indian War and the Great War for Empire occurred between 1757 and 1763. It was the fourth largest war ever fought and it was fought on 2 continents. In Europe it involved all of the major European powers of that time period. France, Austria, Russia, Saxony, Sweden and after 1762 Spain were on one side and Prussia, Great Britain and Hanover were on the other side. Many of the battles were fought in Germany and at the beginning both France and Russia were victorious but when William Pitt was appointed Secretary of State for England in 1757 he took charge of the war and things changed. The war in Europe began to go against France and her allies. France suffered some major defeats in Germany and withdrew some of the troops to try to focus more attention to defending her territory in America. William Pitts statement about America being conquered in Germany means that because of the losses that France faced in Germany it weakened her military forces and set the tone for what would happen in America. Pitts statement also refers to Britains allies in Germany as a big help in the defeat of France and her allies.

http://www.bartleby.com/65/se/SevenYea.html

http://www.blupete.com/Hist/BiosNS/1700-63/Pitt.htm

http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven-Years%27-War

The American People, Chapter 5.

Date: Sep 13, 2007

Question of the inevitability of the Revolutionary War:

The enduring period of salutary neglect not only trained the colonists to fend for themselves, but the time kindled a growing feeling of self-control among the colonies. The Crown however, effectively ended this period with the passing of the Stamp, Sugar, and various other acts. In the eyes of the colonists, Britains incessant threats to their traditional rights was a growing epidemic. As we know, events such as these amplified the schism between mother and colonies. But the question here is of whether or not the impending War needed at all to be fought. Whether over 50,000 men had to be slain over taxationwithout representation? My senses tell me that the war was in fact, inevitable. I just truly believe that the American appetite was far too large for the British to ever satisfy; the thirst for republicanism too much to quench. No matter how many times the British folded to meet colonial demands, the Americans found a way to get their feelings hurt. For example, the Tea Act. In short, to support the ailing East India Company, Britain allowed the company to ship its tea directly to North America. Colonists would pay only a small tax and enjoy the benefits of inexpensive tea, and the Crown would welcome modest revenue. What sounded like a win-win for all involved parties, turned sour after the Americans pride got the better of them. In their opinion, toasting to the tea would also mean accepting the Parliaments right to tax them. As well, the colonists objected that the government was trying to gain acceptance of the power of Parliament. What I feel was another opportunity to bridge the rift, the colonies managed to capitalize on yet another situation which would help to sway public opinion rather than to patch up a fairly tumultuous relationship. Maybe the war was inevitable, but, steps could have been taken for independence that may have led to something other than war. Other British colonies in the New World didnt resort to revolt. Canada for one, slowly but surely took more control over its own destiny and attained sovereignty. The other colonists were able to aptly represent themselves, and contribute militarily to their mother country. These facts only help to strengthen the argument of the needlessness of the war. But as to whether the war of Independence was inevitable, its impossible to ever know for sure.

Sources:
Textbook, Chapter Five
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Canada#History_of_Canada_.281982-1992.29
http://en.allexperts.com/q/Canadian-History-2762/canada-independence.htm
http://en.allexperts.com/q/Canadian-History-2762/canada-independence.htm

p.s. Mr.E, for some reason my apotrophes and quotation marks show up as question marks in the post, just letting you know there's a reason why they're missing.

Date: Sep 13, 2007

· Examine the Seven Years' War in Europe. Assess William Pitt's statement that, "America was conquered in Germany." How much did the battles and conflict in the Old World shape the fighting in the New World?

The climactic Seven Years's War in Europe was fought from 1756 to 1763. It was a war fought between the French and the Britisih, and it was the fourth, largest, and most significant war for the empire that had begun in the seventeeth century. The Seven Years' War is also known as the French and Indian War. During the course of the war, Boston alone had loast almost 700 men in a town of 2,000 families. The war ended in 1763 after the Treaty of Paris was signed.
   Before the Treaty if Paris was signed, Wiliiam Pitt became secretary of State in 1757. He was quoted for saying that "America was conquered in Germany." I think that he meant that when King George had come to the throne in 1714, the Anglo-Spanish war merged into a much larger Anglo-French conflict, called King George's War in North America and the War of Austrian Succesion in Europe. THis war increased the need for discipline within the empire. This expenditure caused the people in Europe to need to ask the colonies to help share the cost of the military forces. The colonists then sent men over in return for French forts and when the war in Europe was over, these forts were handed back to the French. Thus began the connnection between Europe and the colonies. I think that Pitt meant htat when we sent the troops to Europe in the first place, that that was when America was conquered because we had already lost so many men.
     The fighting in the New World changed the Old World because all of the wartime cost Britain so much money. After the war was over, Brittain was in so much debt, and then they needed to find ways to fund the money for the country that they had spent on the war. Also, one of the main reasons leading up to the revolution was the forcing of the tea tax on the colonies, which needed to be enforced to pay the debt.

Date: Sep 13, 2007

oh & my sources were:

History Textbook-Chapter 5
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_Years'_War

Date: Sep 13, 2007

What shaped the European alliances that formed during the eighteenth century? Why did France and Britain clash frequently? Why did France and Spain become allies a number of times? Why was Portugal no longer a major power in colonial affairs or the world?

answer: In the 18th century many wars were fought between European courtneys. These wars were known as the Second Hundred Year's War. This was basicly a phrase used by some historians to describe the series of fonflicts between Britain and France. During this the 7 years war was fought which was in some historians eyes is considered a world war. Basicly all of the powers of Europe fought in this war. It was Britain, Prussia, Hanover, British colonies in North America, Ireland and the British East India Company against France, Austria,New France, Russia, Sweden, Spain and Portugal who were later on drawn into the war. This caused many countrys to make alliences and peace treates in order to fight for eachother.

    The french and British clashes so frequently because they were both looking for settlement on North America. They both had very different strenghts but matched up very well. The British used their powerful naval force to prevent merchant ships to go into the costal land and the french soldiers prevented the British vessels from entering costal ports.

    The French and Spanish allied against the British so often because they bough thawed out to take control of the seas and begin settlements in North America. By teaming up and defeating the British it would allow them to settle there with no struggle of other countrys there.

    Portual was later draged into the seven year war and was attacked frequently by the British, Spainards, and the Netherlands. The powerful country that was created was slowly becoming weaker and weaker till it was barily heard of in the 18th century after being weaked so much.

Date: Sep 13, 2007

mitch G wrote:

What shaped the European alliances that formed during the eighteenth century? Why did France and Britain clash frequently? Why did France and Spain become allies a number of times? Why was Portugal no longer a major power in colonial affairs or the world?

answer: In the 18th century many wars were fought between European courtneys. These wars were known as the Second Hundred Year's War. This was basicly a phrase used by some historians to describe the series of fonflicts between Britain and France. During this the 7 years war was fought which was in some historians eyes is considered a world war. Basicly all of the powers of Europe fought in this war. It was Britain, Prussia, Hanover, British colonies in North America, Ireland and the British East India Company against France, Austria,New France, Russia, Sweden, Spain and Portugal who were later on drawn into the war. This caused many countrys to make alliences and peace treates in order to fight for eachother.

    The french and British clashes so frequently because they were both looking for settlement on North America. They both had very different strenghts but matched up very well. The British used their powerful naval force to prevent merchant ships to go into the costal land and the french soldiers prevented the British vessels from entering costal ports.

    The French and Spanish allied against the British so often because they bough thawed out to take control of the seas and begin settlements in North America. By teaming up and defeating the British it would allow them to settle there with no struggle of other countrys there.

    Portual was later draged into the seven year war and was attacked frequently by the British, Spainards, and the Netherlands. The powerful country that was created was slowly becoming weaker and weaker till it was barily heard of in the 18th century after being weaked so much.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Hundred_Years%27_War
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_Years%27_War#Causes
http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/PlainTextHistories.asp?groupid=1155&HistoryID=ab07

i forgot to state my sources when i first posted

Date: Sep 13, 2007

Reexamine the conditions and events leading up to the Revolution from a British perspective, including the system of mercantilism and the imposition of taxes. Discuss why the British might have thought they were being quite generous to the colonists (for example, in defending them from France almost for free) while seeing the Americans as ungrateful and hostile to all authority.

From a British perspecive the colonists had it really good. They thought that the conditions were fair and that they were being very generous. The conditions were that the colonists only trade with them and that they were given some form of freedom, but they did have some rules.

Mercantilism and taxes played a big role in why the colonists decieded to rebel. They didnt want any tax on their tea. They also wanted to trade with other countrys. Even though the british were generous with the colonists demands they wouldnt give in to them.

Eventually the british grew tired of the colonists complaining and lessened the taxes on tea, but the colonists wanted more. They wanted to be as their own country in my opinion. They helped fight the French because they wanted the colonists as their allies in future battles. They thought that the americans were ungrateful because they kept giving them want they wanted, but with more rules and regulations.