During the American Revolution John Adams deliberated the reasons and worth of the fight. He once said "I am well aware of the toil and blood and treasure it will cost us to maintain this declaration, and support and defend these states. Yet through all the gloom I see the rays of ravishing light and glory. I can see that the end is worth all the means. This is our day of deliverance."[Adams, www.us-history.com] Adams came to the conclusion that the fight was worth it but, did he decide if the British American colonists were sufficiently justified in fighting the American Revolution? To find the correct answer one must look at the laws set against the colonists, the rights of the citizens in Britain and in the colonies, and how the way of life in the colonies was changed. .
There were over 15 laws/policies put in place by the British government from 1763-1766 that angered the Colonial Americans. In the minds of the colonists the laws were unjust. One must first define what being 'unjust' is to understand this statement. In Merriam-Webster's Dictionary the word 'unjust' is defined as, "characterized by injustice: unfair or dishonest."[merriam-webseterdictionary.com, unjust] Taking this into account, these laws were seen as unfair because they were meant to control the colonies and/or help Britain only. For example, on March 22, 1765 The Stamp Act (tax) was passed by British Parliament. This new tax required American colonists to pay for every piece of paper they used. From ship papers to legal documents, the Americans were taxed for using the paper. This act was one of the first to be put into effect in the colonies and it was not received with open arms. The Americans reacted with restrained petitions and pamphlets in the hope that Parliament would appease their plea and annul the act. The Stamp Act was a breaking point for the colonists. It forced them into seeing the foolishness and cruelness of Britain by the shortsightedness of the act.
