As it's a topic that comes up every now and again here at MT, I am sure that many are well aware of my semi-comedic stance on the treachery of the ungrateful and ingracious colonists who entered into a self-serving revolt against their rightful rulers, the British Crown.
However, I wondered if people were generally aware of why the infamous 'taxation' came about that was behind the "No Taxation Without Representation" rhetoric?
It is because of those darned Frenchies, yet again
. Here's a thumbnail sketch of 'bullet-points' from the BBC website, an article on 'historical' myths that covered many bases but this is the one that's likely to be of interest to our trans-Atlantic cousins:
Myth: The American colonists had nothing to lose but their chains
The American War of Independence began as nothing of the sort.
It was essentially an argument between loyalist and radical British subjects over trade and taxes, only gradually acquiring the rhetoric of civil rights and liberties. Even today that argument is mired in chauvinism.
London protested that a derisory £1,400-a-year in revenue was being gathered from the 13 colonies to pay for having been rescued by Britain from French autocracy in the Seven Years War.
To call this rescue "absolute despotism", as the Americans did, was absurd. The protested Stamp Acts were imposed throughout the empire, as were other trade restrictions, while the colonists enjoyed their own assemblies and were for the most part autonomous.
As a colony with self-governing rights, America was far better treated than Ireland.
Any and all of these could be talking points or maybe a general conversation on how 'history' is very much shaped by perspective and repetition of tales.
However, I wondered if people were generally aware of why the infamous 'taxation' came about that was behind the "No Taxation Without Representation" rhetoric?
It is because of those darned Frenchies, yet again
. Here's a thumbnail sketch of 'bullet-points' from the BBC website, an article on 'historical' myths that covered many bases but this is the one that's likely to be of interest to our trans-Atlantic cousins:Myth: The American colonists had nothing to lose but their chains
The American War of Independence began as nothing of the sort.
It was essentially an argument between loyalist and radical British subjects over trade and taxes, only gradually acquiring the rhetoric of civil rights and liberties. Even today that argument is mired in chauvinism.
London protested that a derisory £1,400-a-year in revenue was being gathered from the 13 colonies to pay for having been rescued by Britain from French autocracy in the Seven Years War.
To call this rescue "absolute despotism", as the Americans did, was absurd. The protested Stamp Acts were imposed throughout the empire, as were other trade restrictions, while the colonists enjoyed their own assemblies and were for the most part autonomous.
As a colony with self-governing rights, America was far better treated than Ireland.
Any and all of these could be talking points or maybe a general conversation on how 'history' is very much shaped by perspective and repetition of tales.
