Throughout history, there have been many different ways of theorizing and interpreting the causes of the American Revolution in the 18th century. One significant theory on how the American Revolution began was an economic interpretation, which spoke of the unjust taxes, regulation of trade and other such economic institutions that caused a craze among the colonists. Although there were many other theories.
this one is the most significant. The American Revolution: Three Views spoke of this interpretation in "Foreword," which was written by Robert K. Heimann in 1975. Such issues such as the Stamp Acts, the Townshend Acts, and an overall denial of pure freedom of economic will sparked the beginning of the American Revolution.
One of the first taxes to be placed on the colonists was the Stamp Act, which was adopted in 1765. The Stamp Act put a small tax on everyday items, such as newspapers, playing cards, and pamphlets. Documents were taxed as well, such as wills and marriage documents. This affected the merchants the most, because they had to pay the tax more than anyone else did. Soon, the merchants grew tired of paying the tax. The Stamp Act Congress was even created to protest the Stamp Act. Another unfair tax imposed onto the colonists by the British was the Townshend Acts, placed by Charles Townshend, Chancellor of the Ex-Chequer. The Townshend Acts placed a tax on paper and glass. .
The first reaction of the taxes was stated by James Otis, who coined the phrase "No taxation without representation!" This meant that the colonists shouldn't be taxes without having representation in British Parliament and being able to have say in Parliament as well. Revenues should not be levied at the will of the British. .
The Tea Act was passed, which put a small tax on British tea sold in the colonies. There was a reaction to the Tea Act that would go down in history. The event known as the "Boston Tea Party" occurred at the Boston Harbor when members of the Sons of Liberty commandeered a ship containing British tea, dressed as Mohawk Indians.
