The American Revolution was one of the greatest movements in history. The chief result was the birth of the first successful federal government in history, a government that was destined to prosper and to grow into a nation of vast wealth and power. It is certain that for more than fifty years before the Seven Years' War there was a strong attachment between Britain and the American colonies, and that the thought of severing this bond was never given any consideration. While the Navigation Acts constantly annoyed colonists, these were only ripples on a smooth sea. Overall, America was happy; they were proud to be Englishmen. However, separation sooner or later was inevitable. There were forces at work for many years that eventually dissolved the political bond between the two lands. The English institutions, brought over to the colonies early in the seventeenth century had been shaped by the social, political, and economic conditions unique to America. Ultimately, the two societies grew apart - so far apart that the colonies began to seek independence.
There were many economic causes for the revolution. In the eyes of Great Britain the primary job of American colonists" was to build a favorable balance of trade. With a successful balance of trade a nation could be self-sufficient, become wealthy, and build a powerful military force. Desiring revenue from the colonies to offset the massive expenditures from the Seven Years War, the British administration began stricter enforcement of the Navigation Acts, restricting colonial trade with other nations. However the British laws were too hard on the American colonists. The Sugar Act of 1764 was the first law aimed strictly at raising American money for the Crown. It placed taxes on molasses, sugar and other products imported from places outside the British Empire. Most of the colonists openly disobeyed the law by smuggling goods. Since no one obeyed the laws the British cut the tax to a sixth of what it was.
