Taxation W/O Representation

The colonists strongly desired independence and separation from Britain once taxation without representation was imposed on them. The colonies struggled to earn their representation in the Parliament of their mother country. They were turned down repeatedly and this caused huge issues for the colonists; it was the complete reason for the Revolutionary War. Therefore, the demand for no taxation without representation was the primary force to motivate America against Britain and it was also a symbol for democracy.

A primary cause is the definite reason to how much or to what extent; therefore, the primary cause for the revolutionary movement was America’s demand for no taxation without representation. Taxes were forced upon the 13 colonies to gain money for Britain. After the Seven Years’ War, King George III issued the Sugar Act and the Stamp Act to simply raise revenue for the economy. These acts were imposed on the colonies without their word or representation. These acts drove the colonists to think for themselves and their own rights.

The pursuit for “life, liberty, and property” began, and drove the colonist’s strong desire for their representation. Although Britain repealed the Stamp Act due to the anger of the colonies, they created the Declaratory Act, which gave them complete rights to control taxation and anything “in all cases whatsoever”. Colonists of America believed that their rights and liberties were completely taken away because they had no representation in the Parliament.

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Many boycotts and restraints to the taxes took place- although many peaceful approaches were attempted to the King for the representation of the colonies. The Olive Branch Petition is an example- this was sent to the king so they could be recognized and equally represented. Instead of introducing a violent approach, this enabled the colonists to put their say in how they wanted representation-not independence yet. This was one of the letters that were turned down by the king-it was argued that America did have representation in the Parliament.

This angered the colonists because they did not believe they had just representation due to the fact that Britain was 3,000 miles away across the Atlantic Ocean and that it was almost impossible to them to be governed. Many began producing rhetoric speeches and poetry that showed their desire for independence and the anger that they were building up because they were turned down for their representation. A pamphlet titled the Common Sense by Thomas Paine brought upon the ideas that they should have independence from

Britain and a republican government instead-this pamphlet became extremely popular and sold over 150,000 copies. The acts that did not give proper representation led the colonists to boycott and think individually for their country-it was a primary source to the revolutionary movement including the Revolutionary War that ended with success of the Americans. These enabled the American colonists for desire for independence and a separation from Britain after being repeatedly rejected. Not only did they not have much of a representation, but Britain rarely included the colonies.

This was called salutary neglect-where Britain tended to forget about Americca and not focus on them at all. Thomas Jefferson signed the Declaration of Independence in 1778, which was full of statements and reasons that justified why America should be separated- because they were rejected and still not represented properly. In this document it states that they relied on democratic consent of the governed. The imposed taxes without representation to America were a direct drive for democracy. This taxation without representation represents the core value to independence and separation from Britain.

Many documents and studies show that no taxation without representation is the primary cause for the revolutionary movement and is also a symbol of democracy. Document C introduces how the taxes are completely imposed without the America’s consent- and that it is denied because it is not fair to the colonies that don’t even get representation to their government. This proves that no taxation without representation enabled many letters and petitions to be sent to the king that angered the leaders and the other colonists because there is no consent of the governed.

Document G-which is the Common Sense pamphlet explained above-is an example of the drive to independence and a symbol for democracy. “It is evident that they belong to different systems. ” This justifies how it is simply not possible for America to be correctly represented. In conclusion, no taxation without representation angered the colonists and drove them to the revolutionary movement. It was the primary reason to motivate them and it was a symbol of democracy by forcing their desire to separate away from Britain and become their own government.

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