Trade and economic relationship with other countries played a great role for the British Empire and the development of New York, in particular. Military and economic processes greatly influence the formation of New York and the USA, as an independent country, especially in the middle of the 18th century. As the historian, Mike Wallace, says “Trade was big, but war was bigger” (youtube.com Episode 4). New Yorkers were directly interfered with the consequences of Seven Years War (1756 – 1763), the main participants of which were two “classic enemies” – France and Great Britain (youtube.com Episode 4). “This means that in 1758, 25,000 British troops and 14,000 marines overwhelmingly based in New York City” (youtube.com Episode 4). As all these people were in need of food, shelter, uniform, ship repairs, entertainment and other necessities, they spent a lot of money, which was pouring into economy. However, when the war came to an end, hard times started. Money was not pouring into the economy any more, and the government had to find a new source of income. They put up high taxes that the citizens could not cope with, which became one of the factors in the beginning of the Revolution. New Yorkers were not happy with the new British policies, which restricted their freedom to live the way they wanted and made pay money to supply the British government. For example, the Stamp Act, passed in 1765, put on taxes for newspapers, legal and commercial documents, and even playing cards. An adoption of such a document led to revolutionary movements of angry New Yorkers against the British Crown. Such actions from the side of the British government contributed to the development of sentiments of unity and independence among Americans, who have already considered themselves as a united nation and did not want to stay under the British rule anymore.
It is understandable that due to some processes taking part, there were the people, who supported different political views, either British or American. Thus, as the Stamp Act was repealed after the general rebellion of the citizens, the New Yorkers were grateful for such a decision and even “erected the statue of King George III to affirm their loyalty to the British” (youtube.com Episode 4). However, several years later, in 1776, when “more than a hundred of British war ships sailed into New York harbor, and nearly 500 English vessels, carrying more than 32,000 of the British soldiers and 10,000 sailors sailed into the lower bank, it was the largest land-see expeditionary force by until the Normandy invasion during WWII” (youtube.com Episode 4). More than 80% of the New York population fled to Manhattan, which was one of the safest places at that time, where the citizens could hide from the British soldiers. Thus, the New Yorkers discredited the British government and as soon as a Declaration of Independence was read aloud on July 9, 1776, a mob of soldiers and civilians marched to the Bowling Green and pulled down the statue of King George III. What is more, they used the lead from the statue to make 42, 088 American bullets.
The story of New York proves that the military relationship between such powerful countries as Great Britain and France can influence the development of the smaller countries or cities, like New York. Thus, the New Yorkers were involved in the relationship between these two countries and, due to some military actions and changes, experienced either prosperity or suffered from their policies. At the same time, these events show the process of formation of a new state and understanding of one’s identity of those, who want to introduce their own rules and laws and proclaim their own independence.
Works Cited
Burns, Ric. “New York: A Documentary Film – Episode One: The Country and The City (1609 – 1825).” Documentary. YouTube, 18. Dec. 2010. Web. 17 Feb. 2016. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrNaZWlyFcw
