American Revolution

I believe the American Revolution was mostly a political and intellectual event, with social and economical forces coming from these ideals. The Americans truly wanted liberty and representation, and believed they were being stripped of their natural rights. Even though the Tea Act actually made tea cheaper in America, the colonists still took a non-consumption standpoint because they didn’t like the idea of being taxed to raise revenue. They wanted their own legislative council who had the power of paying the royal governor and forcing him to sign bills. Many wealthy intellectuals believed Britain was trying to enslave America, and many of the poor joined the Revolution because they had nothing else. The colonists had gotten used to a loose connection to Britain, and after change occurred many retaliated because of ideals, not necessarily money.

Racism and Slavery

I believe that racism was a result of slavery because of the history that supports it. In the early years of settlement, blacks and whites often worked on equal terms and most of the time both could leave their servitude and become free. As demand rose for labor, it became more economical to have slaves that were forcibly brought to America and worked in worse, cheaper conditions. Places like Virginia created a system of personal bondage to get a reliable and stable workforce. I believe that a stereotype was created from the inhuman conditions and arduous work that Africans were put to. Children born into slavery knew no other life, and not being educated added to white racism. Although race allowed Europeans justification for enslavement, I believe it was their different culture and the whites financial motives that caused racism.