Student Work Exemplar- Wei Li, AP US History, Document Based Question (DBQ)
Prompt: To what extent was the conflict between Great Britain and her North American colonies economic in origin rather than rooted in political and social controversies and differences?
Winners are sometimes the losers. Such was the case with Great Britain. After numerous wars across the globe, including King George’s War and the French and Indian War, Britain emerged as a world superpower. It had defeated its French and Spanish foes; inturn, it received the largest share of the North American colonies. Yet this “winner” did not win in every respect. Though Britain had emerged victorious, it had also emerged with the greatest debt. This debt caused Britain to more forcefully control its overseas colonies, instead of prolonging salutary neglect. To pay its debt, Britain imposed several economic acts upon her colonies, inciting the colonists anger. Yet these acts were not the only reason for conflict as there were also social and political controversies and differences between the mother country and her colonies. In all, the conflict between Great Britain and her North American colonies was mainly economic in origin, but social and political controversies a played a role.
The conflict between Britain and her colonies was mainly economic in origin due to the acts that Great Britain imposed and their view of the role of the colonies. Britain adhered to the idea of mercantilism - that a country’s wealth was measured in the amount of gold and silver it possessed. Thus, the colonies were only existent to support its mother country economically by providing goods and a market for British exports. After the French and Indian War, Britain enforced the policy of mercantilism. As Document D states, “The colonies are generally restricted in all of their foreign trade,” because of mercantilism as all goods were “reserved for the British realm.” This led to conflict because American colonists soon experienced many shortages and their economy was stifled. The paper money they printed depreciated quickly in value. Furthermore, Britain also imposed economic acts that resulted in conflict. One of these acts was the Stamp Act, which required that all “official documents” be stamped and subjected to a tax. Such an act, according to Document B, was “Extremely burdensome and grievous” and “restrictions imposed… render them unable to purchase the manufactures of Great Britain.” This act led to conflict because the colonists had their pocketbook pinched yet Great Britain saw no reason why colonists should not help in repaying the debt from war. Lastly, other atrocious acts imposed by Great Britain were the Sugar Act and Townshend Acts which added to the conflict. The Sugar Act was hated because again the colonists did not see why they should pay the tax. The Townshend Acts were even more despised because it added a tax on tea, something everyone drank. As a result of such acts, colonists rebelled as shown in Document C, the list of people who were part of the Sons of Liberty and took part in the act of tarring and feathering British officials. These acts, particularly, the Townshend Acts led Britain to place two regiments in the colonies, further stirring the conflict. In all, economic controversies played a huge role in the conflict between Great Britain and her colonies.
In addition to economic controversies, social differences played a role in the conflict. Overtime the colonists had developed different philosophies and ideologies from their mother country. The colonists believed in republicanism and Whig ideals which emphasized the virtue of its citizenry, civic virtue, and vigilance against corruption. Britain had none of that since corruption within its government was widespread. This led to conflict because the American colonists who believed in virtue could not stand the autocratic government imposed by the British. In America people could change classes with hard work and virtue. Yet in Britain, people were born into their social class. The British looked down upon their American subjects as shown by the fact that during previous wars no colonists were promoted above the title of captain, embarrassing people like George Washington who was never promoted above the title of a mere “colonel.” This disagreement over ideals also led to conflict. Lastly, Britain’s view on the colonists led to conflict because they did not give colonists, the same rights as British citizens, As shown in Document F, “All persons born into British American colonies … were well entitled to all natural rights,” but this was not exactly the case. Instead, colonists were seen as inferior and this led to further conflict. As shown, social differences also led to conflict.
Lastly, political controversies also played a role between Great Britain and the colonies. First, there were problems regarding governments. After so many years of salutary neglect, colonists got use to self-government. They were accustomed to making their own rules as shown by Document G, were the colonists declared their rights, “entitled to life liberty and property.” Furthermore, colonists refused to be taxed without any representation as it is “essential to the freedom of people… that no taxes be imposed on them but with their own consent.” (Document B) These different viewpoints led to great controversy since Britain saw no reason why the colonists shouldn’t bear part of the debt and listen to them, since they were part of the British empire. Moreover, other political controversies led to conflict. For example, the Quebec Bill, as shown in Document H, was one of the reasons America was in flames. It granted land to the French in Quebec and gave the French the rights they had before, as a reconcilatory measure, but the Americans became furious. They saw the move as a restriction to the movement and distrusted the bill. In addition, Britain's political move of giving land back to the French also led to discontent as Americans saw their efforts in the King George’s War wasted. Lastly, the Proclamation of 1763, by the British, added to the conflict as the American’s westward movement was hindered. Colonists saw the move as stifling of their “property rights” (Document G) and the discontent added to the conflict. Thus, political discontent helped fuel the fire of discontent.
In all, economic controversies were the main factor in the conflict between the American colonies and Great Britain, but social and political controversies also played a role. Due to mercantilism, and the stifling acts that the British imposed, colonists rebelled by forming groups such as the Sons of Liberty. Differing social ideologies also contributed to the conflict as the British looked condescendingly down at the colonists. Political differences also fueled the fire as Britain made several bad moves by passing bills and legislation that further angered the colonists. In the end the winner may become the loser and the mouse may outwit the cat.
