Revolution Against Empire: Taxes, Politics, and the Origins of American Independence (The Lewis Walpole Series in Eighteenth-Century Culture and History)

A bold transatlantic history of American independence revealing that 1776 was about far more than taxation without representation Revolution Against Empire sets the story of American independence within a long and fierce clash over the political and economic future of the British Empire. Justin du Rivage traces this decades-long debate, which pitted neighbors and countrymen against one another, from the War of Austrian Succession to the end of the American Revolution. As people from Boston to Bengal grappled with the growing burdens of imperial rivalry and fantastically expensive warfare, some argued that austerity and new colonial revenue were urgently needed to rescue Britain from unsustainable taxes and debts. Others insisted that Britain ought to treat its colonies as relative equals and promote their prosperity. Drawing from archival research in the United States, Britain, and France, this book shows how disputes over taxation, public debt, and inequality sparked the American Revolution—and reshaped the British Empire. "Revolution Against Empire sets the story of American independence within a long and fierce clash over the political and economic future of the British Empire. Justin du Rivage traces this decades-long debate, which pitted neighbors and countrymen against one another, from the War of Austrian Succession to the end of the American Revolution. As people from Boston to Bengal grappled with the growing burdens of imperial rivalry and fantastically expensive warfare, some argued that austerity and new colonial revenue were urgently needed to rescue Britain from unsustainable taxes and debts. Others insisted that Britain ought to treat its colonies as relative equals and promote their prosperity. Drawing from archival research in the United States, Britain, and France, this book shows how disputes over taxation, public debt, and inequality sparked the American Revolution -- and reshaped the British Empire."--Provided by publisher Cover 1 Half Title 2 Title 4 Copyright 5 Dedication 6 Contents 8 Acknowledgments 10 Key Figures, and a Note on the Text 13 Introduction: Enlightened Empire? 22 1. Britain’s Controversial Empire 45 2. Taxing America 74 3. The Seven Years’ War and the Politics of Empire 98 4. The Rise and Fall of the Stamp Act 122 5. Britain’s Authoritarian Ascendancy 168 6. Sons of Liberty, Sons of Licentiousness 199 7. English Blood by English Hands 226 Conclusion: Republican Empire 264 List of Abbreviations 270 Notes 272 Index 382 A 382 B 383 C 384 D 385 E 385 F 386 G 386 H 387 I 387 J 387 K 387 L 387 M 388 N 388 O 388 P 388 Q 389 R 389 S 390 T 391 U 391 V 391 W 391 Y 392 Introduction: Enlightened Empire? -- Britain's Controversial Empire -- Taxing America -- The Seven Years' War And The Politics Of Empire -- The Rise And Fall Of The Stamp Act -- Britain's Authoritarian Ascendancy -- Sons Of Liberty, Sons Of Licentiousness -- English Blood By English Hands -- Conclusion: Republican Empire. Justine Du Rivage.