Comments on: Tea, Taxes and the American Revolution

By: Bruce Chang

Bruce Chang — Wed, 18 Jan 2006 01:48:57 +0000

I’ve been thinking for some time that the Seven Years War was the first true World War. And, to an extent, it was a vestige of the Hundred Years War, which itself was a settling of the Normans’ accounts in France. The entire struggle for power in the English system, too, dates back to the aftermath of the Battle of Hastings. Funny what 1000 years of history reveals, isn’t it?

By: mark

mark — Tue, 17 Jan 2006 22:26:12 +0000

” It will take a second “Glorious Revolution” to restore its ancient liberties.”

We may get it John. I’ve noticed increasing calls from conservatives(traditionally defenders of the 1688 revolution and its consequences) calling for a written constitution on the grounds that Blair has shown no respect for our unwritten one. Added to which judicial activism has led to an increasing perception that parliament is not supreme, a concept which most Britons have previously never questioned.

By: John Schedler

John Schedler — Sun, 15 Jan 2006 19:05:06 +0000

One other point. It seems to me that the Framers have been proved right. Parliament has, or is in the process of, abolishing most of the traditional liberties associated with the English-speaking peoples. The right to silence, trial by jury, presumption of innocence — all are close to lost. I am reminded of Churchill’s famous aphorism:

“This is only the first sip, the first foretaste of a bitter cup which will be proffered to us year by year unless by a supreme recovery of moral health and martial vigour, we arise again and take our stand for freedom as in the olden time.”

I fear that Britain is sinking in to squalor and tyranny. It will take a second “Glorious Revolution” to restore its ancient liberties.

By: John Schedler

John Schedler — Sun, 15 Jan 2006 18:48:59 +0000

Well, truly & righteously said. You have succinctly & eloquently captured the essence of the American Revolution & the US Constitution. I would much like this essence to be taught to every high school student.

By: Shannon Love

Shannon Love — Sun, 15 Jan 2006 16:31:06 +0000

” The post-1688 British government, which prevails to this day in most ways, is in essence a parliamentary dictatorship.”

“Parliamentary dictatorship” the guys over at Samizdata would really like that one.

By: Don

Don — Sun, 15 Jan 2006 12:56:27 +0000

Here’s another take on the same events. Prior to the French and Indian War, also known as the 7 Years War (SYW) in Europe, the American colonies were generally treated with benign neglect. Largely a place to dump the dissidents or to engage in a bit of property and material speculation. The SYW could probably be considered the original First World War. Operations were not only in the traditional territories of European conflict, but included India, the Caribbean, and North America. England had its first global projection and then sought to cognizantly consolidate its holdings. That meant imposing control or rule over people it had previously been left to their own devices. These weren�t native in a remote region simply trading one master for another, rather free born Englishman and aware of it too. The reaction of the colonists was not one of independence in the beginning, in fact efforts were made by parties of both sides to reach a reconciliation. What the colonist sought was a status of �antebellum�. That is the autonomy and neglect they enjoyed prior to the most recent dust up with the French. The War for Independence was a reactionary response to �New World Order� London sought to establish with all its recent gains. Taxes were just the focal point, but it was simply the manifestation of power by Parliament which was the problem. They repeal the onerous taxes, but they still got the rebellion.

By: Ginny

Ginny — Sun, 15 Jan 2006 05:02:54 +0000

Thanks for both this and the van Zandt link. There is so much out there – and so much of it is so good.