Was the American Revolution Inevitable? Research Paper Example

Was the American Revolution inevitable? If the taxes had been lower, would we have gone to war against Britain? 

The American Revolution was in many regards inevitable. Although many in the colonies admired British culture, even aspired to proclaim themselves as subjects of the crown, internal and external pressures gradually pushed many to consider revolution as the only logical solution. It is also doubtful whether a lowering of taxation would have impeded or halted revolutionary thought. By the time taxation became an issue enlightenment and revolutionary ideals had begun to permeate amongst the Colonial elite. Such philosophical ideologies were, arguably, concerned with issues far loftier than mere financial well-being. Consequently, the revolution was inevitable.

There were external and internal pressures in the years leading up to the American Revolution and these led to the conflict being inevitable.  Concerns about taxation and demands for representation were indeed important factors. Following a series of costly wars Britain demanded that the colonies pay for their own defense and upkeep through a series of extremely unpopular direct taxes (Lancaster 49).  These taxes were made even more odious because it appeared, with the continent’s physical distance from London and the low political status of the colonists themselves, those in the America’s were to have little or no political representation whatsoever (Lancaster 22). It is possible that the taxation issue could have been resolved. However, when fiscal and political matters combined with thoughts of liberty and equality, the revolution became inevitable.

Enlightenment thought drove the revolutionary in the colonies. English philosophers such as John Locke had a considerable impact on the thinking of men such as Thomas Jefferson (Morton 143). Indeed, the Declaration of Independence is in reality an homage to such Enlightenment ideals as liberty and universal equality (Morton 181). Consequently, even if taxes had been lowered, or removed altogether it is unlikely that conflict could have been avoided.

Overall, the revolution was in many regards inevitable. Taxation and representation issues, combined with inflammatory anti-monarchical ideas such as liberty and equality, helped create an atmosphere which encouraged revolutionary thought. Eventually, conflict became inevitable.