“Look upon your hands! They are stained with the Blood of your Relations!--You and I were long Friends:--You are now my Enemy.” (Doc A) This quote is an excerpt from a letter from Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan in 1775 (but he never actually sent it). Benjamin Franklin was a printer/writer/inventor/diplomat who lived from 1706 to 1790. Strahan was an English Parliament member and former friend to Franklin who “doomed [America] to Destruction.” By the example of Franklin’s letter, England was responsible for many actions and events that angered Americans. America's relationship with Europe was essential in the process of American independence. This relationship was constituted by Europe's unfair laws, oppressive control of the colonies, …show more content…
Some of the most controversial acts include the Stamp Act, the Sugar Act (1764), and the Navigation Acts (enforced more strictly in 1763). America's first reaction to these laws was violent and the colonists were against them. England thought that “they show, at first, a very stubborn neck, but by degrees become docile, and yield a willing obedience” (Doc D). The fact that America would eventually accept these laws and acts was a huge assumption made by Britain. America's opposition to these laws over time created a “Clashing of Interests” (Doc B). In result of this opposition, the effect on Britain was that “ the Usefulness of the Colonies, with respect to their Trade and Commerce, wilt be in a great Measure lessened” (Doc B). Because of the French and Indian War, England was deep in debt and needed a way to gain money, so they taxed America. The Justice and Necessity of Taxing the American Colonies says …show more content…
America was changing to a new era. Britain did not recognize that it needed to relent its control, and the monarchy’s power and guidance over America became oppressive. This was “a new aera in the history of mankind, a revolution by which Britons themselves will be the greastest gainers, if wise enough to… catch the flame of virtuous liberty which has saved their American brethren” (Doc C). England demonstrated excessive control by keeping forces in America after the French and Indian War. England had won the interior of America along with the war (Doc E), so “why keep any Forces at all in America? She is sufficiently able to defend herself” (Doc D). In addition, every man was enrolled in the militia after a certain age, so there was no point in keeping the forces in America. Consequently, tensions rose and America was getting nervous, which led to the American