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Old 04-15-2008, 09:37 PM   #43
JWLaRue
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The references that I have are not web sites, but books that I have read published by historians. One that comes readily to mind is one of my favorites: A New Age Now Begins (subtitled: A People's History of the American Revolution) volumes 1 and 2, by Page Smith. There are several hundred pages devoted just to the run-up to the actual breakout of hostilities.

It does bear noting that the causes of the English colonies in America breaking with Britain were actually quite complex and evolved over a period of many years. Taking a snapshot of one event (i.e. the Stamp act...and which one?) doesn't do the history justice.

Starting with the Navigation Act of 1660 and then the Molasses Act of 1733, Parliament was restricting who could carry goods to/from the colonies. This created some rumblings, but not a lot of real action. What seems to have been the beginnings of the upswing in discord was when Parliament enacted the Sugar Act if 1764 (intended to help pay for the Seven Years War). There was this concern or distinction raised around Parliament's right to enact 'external' vs. 'internal' taxes. External taxes principally being put in place to protect the British merchant fleets who were carry the trade to/from the colonies. But it was the internal tax aspect of this Act that first raised the specter of the oft repeated 'taxation without representation' mantra that is too often used as the overly simplified reason for the whole sorry mess.

Fascinating and complex subject, yes?

-Jeff

p.s. The wikipedia 'Stamp Act' reference actually does support the taxation without representation POV.
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