Why Was Pitt Able to Dominate Politics Between 1783 and 1793

It was through very thoroughly planned politics and propaganda created mainly by the rich and the elites, that the citizens of the freest nation on earth chose to start a revolution. It was only because Britain decided not to put all of their effort and resources into fighting, that the revolution was a success. Several “acts” triggered a chain reaction, allowing the elites to create enough propaganda to cause colonists to revolt against Britain.

The 18th century can be marked as a period of internal and external struggle for the American colonists. From improper representation, to unfair taxes, such as the Stamp Act, to being overall abused by Britain, the colonists were justifiably angry. From this anger, the slogan “No taxation without representation” was born and quickly began to emerge from the lips of almost every colonist all across America. The demand from colonists everywhere for no taxation without representation weighed heavily as a symbol for democracy, as it revealed the mindset of many – Britain was using the hardworking colonists and took their money without even giving them a say – and laid the foundation for the American revolutionary war, allowing more arguments and

“Despite the view of some historians that the conflict between Great Britain and its thirteen North American colonies was economic in origin, in fact the American Revolution had its roots in politics and other areas of American life.” Great Britain and the American colonies had a relationship impacted with many hardships. I believe that there was a political struggle between the two groups, but that Great Britain and the American colonies used economics as a chance to show how much control they had. Multiple Acts written by Parliament, the colonies' Committees of Correspondence and Continental Congress created political friction between Great Britain and the American colonies.

     The passing of the Stamp Act by Parliament in 1765 caused a rush of angry protests by the colonists in British America that perhaps "aroused and unified Americans as no previous political event ever had." It levied a tax on legal documents, almanacs, newspapers, and nearly every other form of paper used in the colonies. Adding to this hardship was the need for the tax to be paid in British sterling, not in colonial paper money. Although this duty had been in effect in England for over half a century and was already in effect in several colonies in the 1750?s, it called into question the authority of Parliament over the overseas colonies that had no representation therein.

The reasons behind the sudden transition of England and it’s American colonies from allies to enemies is still debated today. When the colonies were first created they had a somewhat dependent relationship with the British. Trade was regulated through the British homeland while the British provided structure for the developing colonies. As salutary neglect came into play, the colonies became more independent in their ways by developing their own governments and laws. After the French and Indian War, the British economy dropped due to war expenses. The passing of the Stamp Act and all the taxes to follow were an attempt to create revenue for the British. This created tension between the colonists and the British government. The British government caused rebellion by trying to tax the colonists in ways that had not previously been done and by trying to control the colonies more closely than it previously had. The colonies were justified in waging war and breaking away from the British due to the unfair tyrant, burdensome taxes, and the aggressive behavior of the British.

The American Revolution was undeniably the most pivotal time period in respect to United States History, but who was really to blame for initiating the conflict? While both the British politicians and American colonists shared the blame for the kindling of the revolution, one party was certainly more at fault than the other: the British. Through short-term causes of taxation and incommodious trade acts, and long-term causes of salutary neglect and involvement in the burdensome French & Indian War, the British politicians proved to ultimately be the most responsible for igniting the Revolutionary War.

The French revolution broke out in 1789, and while at first Britain was pleased and welcomed the changes that the revolution brought to France (i.e. the new constitutional monarchy mirrored Britain's political system in many ways.) Pitt and his government began to become worried when the revolution in France stepped up a gear and became more extreme, they obviously didn't want a repeat of the French experience in Britain. The outcome of the revolution was inevitable and in 1792 when France became a republic, it was also the start of a period of time (1793-1794) that became known as 'revolutionary terror'. Revolutionary terror is essentially force used or implemented

When Pitt became prime minister in 1783 Britain was state of depression. Pitt inherited a demoralised and isolated country, caused by its loss of the American colonies and the unity of regional powers France and Spain against her. Despite this, over the next decade, Britain saw a rise in its economy and a recovery in its international prestige, termed as a ‘national revival’. The actions of Pitt, who was seen as a Patriotic and independent character above politics, can be analysed over the factors of administrative, financial and trade reforms which he brought in. But the argument must be had on extent to which he was responsible for revival compared to the other

The revolutionary era refers to the uprising of the common people against authority in the late 1700s. Great Britain ruled the American colonies for several years since 1607. The American Revolution came as a need from the American people for independence from Great Britain. This need for independence was stirred up by the enactment of the Stamp Act in American colonies by the British. American colonies were congenial to liberty and independence due to religion and other factors. The American people reacted to the stamp act with public resistance in the colonies. Therefore, the American revolutionary war was the result of the refusal to pay taxes, imposed on the colonists by British

Pitt’s Repressive policies were also important in the growth of more radical movements in the

The British parliament passed four policies during 1765 to 1767, Stamp Act, Quartering Acts, Townshend Duty Act and Declaratory Act. They were all approved after French and Indian War. Because of the British troops won the battle with French in North American in 1763, as a matter of course British took place lands that had belonged to France. In order to control these lands well, British government passed these four laws. But these laws didn’t achieve the desired results.

Eventually the rebellion was crushed and they were unsuccessful in reaching freedom. In response to the rebellion, the colony of South Carolina issued the Negro Laws of 1740. These laws made it illegal for slaves to move about freely, gather in groups, raise food, procure cash, and learn how to write English. Additionally, owners were permitted to kill rebellious slaves if necessary, but these laws also did address slave owners who poorly treated their slaves by punishing cruel slave owners. As the relationship between the colonists and Britain became rockier, well-known politician William Pitt vouched for the colonies to have larger representation in parliament. He became popular among the colonists, but was shut down by other members of parliament. One issue of this misrepresentation were the Regulators who lived west of the colonies and didn’t have certain services and resources. They requested cheaper legal service, better representation in local government, and wanted better credit so they could afford to buy more

(Davidson p.104) In the first policy changes, Pitt recalled Campbell and pledged to respect the colonial officers, he formed new alliances with the native Indian tribes. In addition, Pitt promised the colonies that London or England would bear the cost of the war. (Davidson p.104) These policies changes reenergized the war efforts and turned the tide in the war. Forming new alliances and opening diplomatic relations with native Indians was an imperative element for British victory.

The authors Tindall and Shi express how the new king was to be quite a challenge for the people of england, "Charles I, who succeeded his father, James, in 1625, proved to be an even more stubborn defender of absolute royal power. Like the French and Spanish monarchs, King Charles I preferred a highly centralized kingdom specializing in oppression and hierarchy." (Page 34) Further on in the chapter King Charles disbands parliment and raises taxes for defense. "In 1642...a prolonged civil war erupted." (Page 34) With a militant ruler taking over after Charles, England was dealing with some heavy issues concerning their monarchy. After the madness, England was brought some peace "Under the Bill of Rights, drafted in 1689, William and

During the Seven Years’ War, William Pitt was enlisted to take over command of the British forces from the failing Earl of Londoun. Pitt realized the advantage of employing the help of the colonies to bolster the war effort for the British; to appeal to them, Pitt ensured the colonists they