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What Is Dr Samuel Johnson's Objections To The Revolutionary War

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In the course of millennia, history presents us with facts of civilizations declaring war in an attempt for conquering new lands, expanding empires and the fate of the defeated. Peoples of defeated lands often found themselves subjugated by the victorious, and, at times, their culture, beliefs and traditions were repressed or destroyed through assimilation. However, in the case of the French and Indian War (also known as the Seven Years’ War), Great Britain was successful in its efforts to better France, a centuries long adversary, and greatly diminish the French presence in the America. Unfortunately, the victory resulted in a great financial burden for Great Britain. Not only were the coiffeurs of the country emptied, but Great Britain had outstanding debts to other countries. To remedy this situation, Great Britain determined that the American Colonies should be taxed as an instrument in dissolving the country’s debt. The American colonists, especially in the North, took great exception with this decision. This arbitrary, and ultimately Draconian, course of action would result in punitive …show more content…

Samuel Johnson, “Taxation No Tyranny”, portrayed the objections of the American Colonies as belligerent “zealots of anarchy, who have denied, to the parliament of Britain the right of taxing the American colonies…” (Johnson par 1). Johnson’s arguments verged on debasement of the people dwelling in the colonies. Furthermore, Johnson presents a definition of what a tax is, much in the manner of explaining an idea or concept to a perceived audience of people with lower intellect. Johnson argues that America was more than able to pay taxes. He acknowledges that the Americans have not denied that they fall under the liability of taxes to the mother country. However, he goes admonishes the very questioning and petitions for relief of taxation. Johnson declares that any such actions deny all powers of “sovereignty” (Johnson par

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