The United States of America was colonized by the Great Britain. Declaration Act of 1766 by the British parliament to repealed the Stamp Act and made a law on taxation in Great Britain applicable to the American colony. Prior to this act, the sugar Act of 1764 and the Stamp Act of 1765 was operational in the American colony. The Sugar Act (1764) aimed at the modification of the Sugar and Molasses Act of 1733 that was about to expire. The previous Act required that a tax of six pence per gallon imported sugar and molasses be paid. Corruption was high and, therefore, the importers evaded the tax making cheap sugar and molasses available destroying the British market. The 1764 Act reduce the tax to three pence per Gallon. However, it increased the surveillance on the import avenues ensuring the enforcement of the Act. The sugar Act led to a revolt at the imposition of the Stamp duty.
The declaratory Act lead to absolute authority over the American colony making the Great Britain can make binding laws on the American colonies. Such a move showed the growing insensitivity on the increased political maturity in America. Tension between the two parliaments increased. The New York suspension of 1767 increased the colonial fear of the demand for self-government on the American colony.
The poor relationship between America and the Great Britain is anchored on numerous events before the declaration. Some of them include the King Phillip’s war 1675-1676 where the Native American Indians fought the English colonialist. Yamasee war between 1715 and 1717 occurred with the Native Americans fighting the English settlers in the South Carolina region. The great awakening followed. The 1754 to 1763 the French and the Indian War took place. The Boston tea party in 1773 led to strenuous relationship when the colonialist boarded three ships to destroy the tea before getting to the harbor. The Sons of Liberty in Boston, disguising as American Indian boarded the ships with the aim of politically protesting. They threw the tea chest into the water destroying. Such a move escalated the then American Revolution that was gaining momentum across the USA. Early 1776, the American colony proclaimed independence from Great Britain. Such escalated the American Revolution. In the same year with the help of Germans and Spain, the United States was able to defeat the British forces. In July 4, 1776, the independence declaration was signed becoming a major move towards the movement against the British. The revolution continued until 1789 when the George Washington took over the leadership of USA as the first president.
After independence, trade conflicts occurred when Britain impressed American sailors. Impressment is taking navy officer by force and placing them in the royal services. Such move was detrimental to the USA since its sailors could not trade on their behalf. In 1810, the war Hawks were elected. The War Hawks persuaded the Congress to declare war against the Britain due to its interference with trade crippling the American economy. The twenty democratic republicans were tired of the diplomacy that was not working in favor of the Americans. The following year saw the formation of the New Congress that placed the War Hawks to power. They persuaded the congress to increase military funding and preparation. The war Hawks succeeded in their persuasion.
The 1812 escalated for several years up to late 1814 when the Ghent treaty was signed (USS constitution museum, n.d). The Ghent treaty was signed in December 24, 1814. The treaty did not mention the core issues that led to the 1812 war, but it opened up the Great lake region. Such a move made placed America in a position to trade without interferences.
Reference
Short History of the War of 1812. Retrieved on October 4, 2014. From http://www.ussconstitutionmuseum.org/about-us/bicentennial/short-history-1812/
