How was the American Revolution viewed in Britain? - Historum

**jeroenrottgering** · May 23rd, 2012, 06:43 AM

How did the British people viewed the American Revolution? Did they agree with their government and were of the opinion that the Americans should be punished for their crimes or did they think the Americans were right and disagreed with their governments actions?

Brunel · May 23rd, 2012, 07:10 AM

I think most agreed with their government.

Most Americans probably agreed with the British government, too. The rebel leaders only represented 27% of two and quarter million colonists. The rebels called themselves Patriots, contrived incidents like the so called ' Boston massacre' (Americans still call it a massacre today, even though it was nothing of the sort, with the British killing just five men who were part of a group of thugs who were throwing rocks and stones at hurling abuse and them), portrayed their own vested interests as philanthropic ideals, and incited a reign of terror, aimed at civil authorities to disrupt society.

"No taxation without representation", the rebels said, but they did have representation through the colonial legislature/governor and had only been paying one twenty-sixth of the tax that a British taxpayer paid, who were effectively subsidising them by bearing the burden of their protection.

**Spartacuss** · May 23rd, 2012, 07:16 AM

I believe a healthy majority of the subjects supported the crown. After the Declaration of Independence was made, every year thereafter the King would make the revolution the central issue in his speeches at the traditional opening of Parliament. Every year intense debate would ensue in both houses as to continue support of the crown. Every year the vote would produce a sizable majority for the continuation of the war. Despite passionate, eloquent arguments of the minority supporters for ending the conflict, the King conducted himself with grace in the face of this opposition. He took no actions against them, though some statements made in support of the colonies were borderline treason themselves. I think it speaks well of him.

**Rongo** · May 23rd, 2012, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brunel

Most Americans probably agreed with the British government, too. The rebel leaders only represented 27% of two and quarter million colonists. The rebels called themselves Patriots, contrived incidents like the so called ' Boston massacre' (Americans still call it a massacre today, even though it was nothing of the sort, with the British killing just five men who were part of a group of thugs who were throwing rocks and stones at hurling abuse and them), portrayed their own vested interests as philanthropic ideals, and incited a reign of terror, aimed at civil authorities to disrupt society.

"No taxation without representation", the rebels said, but they did have representation through the colonial legislature/governor and had only been paying one twenty-sixth of the tax that a British taxpayer paid, who were effectively subsidising them by bearing the burden of their protection.

It's possible that "most" Americans agreed with the British government prior to the "Intolerable Acts" that Parliament passed in 1774. But those acts turned the colonists decidedly against the British government. "Taxation without representation" became the least of the issues at that point. When the Redcoats went to seize American munitions at Lexington and Concord in 1775, Americans rallied to the cause. There's no way the Americans could have won the war without the support of a substantial majority of the population.

bil73 · May 23rd, 2012, 07:49 AM

humm Brunel, it doesnt sound like the colonist were the ones that needed protection

**Pacific_Victory** · May 23rd, 2012, 07:56 AM

As I mentioned in another thread, I've been reading some Kipling recently.
This poem he wrote seems to imply that the Americans were ungrateful for the protection England had provided for them.... Do you think this was a common sentiment in England at the time?
http://www.poetryloverspage.com/poet...rebellion.html

**Pacific_Victory** · May 23rd, 2012, 07:57 AM

Interestingly enough, the poem he wrote after the revolution (the second one on that page) makes it sound like he lamented the dead on both sides and no longer cared about the politics of it all...

**tjadams** · May 23rd, 2012, 07:58 AM

I know a great many English merchants wanted the revolution to end, and quickly.
It was hurting their profits and trade.

Ashiusx · May 25th, 2012, 05:42 AM

Most people in England naturally supported the British. But there was still notable amount of people who had sympathies with the colonists.

Edmund_Burke

Charles_James_Fox

Richard_Price

**Kevinmeath** · May 25th, 2012, 05:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeroenrottgering

How did the British people viewed the American Revolution? Did they agree with their government and were of the opinion that the Americans should be punished for their crimes or did they think the Americans were right and disagreed with their governments actions?

Well for a start what do we mean by 'the British' like most countries they were not simply 'one' but many different opinions.

In many ways remember there was no such thing as 'Americans' but rather just 'British colonists'-- Washington was fighting for his 'rights as a freeborn Englishman'.

There were 'conservative' supporters of the crown who thought those dangerous radicals and revolutionaries with their dangerous ideas must be put down.

There were those who supported and agreed with the rebels and either thought their cause just and/or wanted it to spread to Britain. You can see the revolution as a natural extension of the movement in Britain towards democracy and taking power away from the crown.

Many British 'radicals' were however very disappointed and even thought 'Americans' hypo critics for continued support for slavery.

Then of course there was the great mass of people who would support the 'crown' and 'their country' instinctively and/or had far more important things on their mind than discussion on the Rights of man etc namely survival.