Evaluate+the+system+of+mercantilism+and+determine+if+the+system+is+sustainable,+or+will+colonies+eventually+revolt+under+this+system?-aH

  Mercantilism: The Foreshadowing of a Revolution  Alex Haeska, Hour 6   The American Colonies, or the New World, was an extension from Great Britain and it's tight fisted government. After it's infamous French and Indian War took place, a new government began to unfold upon the colonies. This way of live was known only as mercantilism. Mercantilism, is the theory that Britain has full control over the colonies and that wealth was the equivalent to power. As in every government, this system had positives and negatives. Mercantilism gave the colonies navy and military protection, money, and liberal bounties. However, it also came with a plate full of negatives that included liabilities, a stifled economic initiative, and a dependence upon British agents. Unfortunately, these negatives out weighted the positives and that was the beginning of our liberal country. Mercantilism, the foreshadowing of the American Revolution, wasn't a sustainable system, because of numerous problem causing acts, unfair British rules, and sparking revolts among the colonists.   Great Britain's parliament swiftly got a reputation in the American Colonies as being down right unfair and stubborn. The colonists in the New World had just helped the British win the French and Indian War and now, they were repaid for their hard work with mercantilism. Mercantilism was Britain's belief that they had complete control over the colonies. With this belief came unfair and brutal laws. Some of these included acts like the Navigation Act of 1650. The Navigation Act stated that any goods being shipped had to be transported on English vessels and that certain goods could only be sold to England, no matter how good the prices were at other markets. This, of course, made some Colonial merchants loose money all for Britain's wealth gain. The Navigation Act even forced smuggling of goods among some of the colonists, just so they could keep their wealth. Actually, John Hancock's fortune was made from smuggling in goods such as sugar. Of course, these unfair acts lead to boycotts, also known as nonimportation agreements, which eventually made the British loose some of their money. After the Quebec Act, which stated that the French would get land from Quebec to the Ohio River, rebel leaders began to emerge among the colonists and lead these boycotts and revolts.   When Britain's mercantilism idea emerged, the colonist's took a strong dislike to it almost immediately. Their fury only began to enflame more when parliament began taxation without representation. This spoke words of distrust and backstabbing to the colonists. They were being taxed far less than the British citizens, but the British had representation in the parliament unlike the colonists. It only made matters worse with Britain and the Colonies relations when the trial by jury was being favored for the British militia. Whenever the English performed a criminal act, they were sent to Britain for their trial, when they should of stayed in the Colonies. Everyone knew in Great Britain these hated criminals would get off scot free, unlike the colonists who would stay in the colonies for their trials instead of being sent to Great Britain. Then, when the British believed the colonies were acting up they sent some of the British militia to help keep the colonists in line. This didn't help matters when the British turned up their noses and the colonists taunted them. All of these issues between the British and the colonists because of mercantilism sent the stage for revolution.   During the time of mercantilism, the American Colonies, feeling their rights as Englishmen were being threatened, decided to take the law into their own hands. Several rebel leaders began to emerge among the every day citizens. Some are so famous as Paul Revere, Samuel Adams, and John Hancock. They began such organizations as the Sons and Daughters of Liberty, and the Committees of Correspondence. The Sons and Daughters of Liberty kept the rebellion spirit alive by enforcing the nonimportation agreements among the colonial citizens. The Committees of Correspondence played a even bigger role by spreading the spirit of resistance through letters and speeches. However, to help show people that they were serious about rebellion against the British government, they had to revolt. Not all revolts occurring during the time of mercantilism were lead by these organizations, but a fair amount were. The most historic revolts include the Boston Massacre of 1770, Boston Tea Party of 1773, and the Battles of Lexington and Concord of 1775. Each of these revolts brought a unity to the colonies by bringing them to fight for the same reason, their rights as Englishmen.   Mercantilism, the idea that Great Britain controlled the American Colonies, wasn't a positive experience for the already trying relationship between the British and the colonists. Through all the taxing, acts, smuggling, boycotts, and revolts, blood began to boil and leaders began to emerge on both sides of the argument. The colonists fought for their rights as Englishmen because, they believed their liberties were being threatened. The British fought to keep the colonists in their iron fist through their believe that they controlled the American Colonies. Mercantilism, the foreshadowing of the American Revolution, wasn't a sustainable system, because of numerous problem causing acts, unfair British rules, and sparking revolts among the colonists.