Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Zinn Chapter Four "Tyranny is Tyranny"

Based on Zinn's argument in Chapter Four "Tyranny is Tyranny" in whose best interest was the American Revolution? Please provide evidence from the text.

48 comments:

  1. I think that the American Revolution was in the wealthy colonial's best interests. I say that this was the case because the taxes that Britain put on the colonies greatly affected them and their profit. The poor didn't have anything to tax. Zinn stated that the "Loyal Nine" (wealthy men), which were merchants, shipowners, distillers, etc., opposed the taxes that Britain put on them. Another reason they wanted revolution was so that they (people of power) can "govern" the people in their own way. With a large number of poor people, the rich have a lot to control. Even though the Declaration of Independence seems fair, the men of power created it in their vision.

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  2. The American Revolution was mainly brought upon by those who benefited from it. Many of the colonist were poor and uneducated. The wealthy landowners and businessmen had something to gain from separating from England, “...they could take over land, profits, and political power.” The increase in population made the rich richer and brought the poor more poverty. “The war had brought..wealth for merchants, unemployment for the poor.” The political leaders and wealthy used their influence over the people to gain their support. “Political leaders would use to mobilize the population again England, granting some benefits for the rebellious poor, and many more for themselves in the posses.” The rich could gain all the benefits of the revolution without having to physically become part of the battle “The rich.. could avoid the draft by paying for substitutes; the poor had to serve.” Until this point, the poor had no stock in their government or country so they did not participate politically.

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  3. Th American Revolutions best interest was in the rich, the merchants, and colonies. The war brought wealth to the merchants and unemployment for the poor. The Zinn book stated the Revolution could " Take over land, profits, and politcal power from favorites of the British empire." Using this they had support for the rule of a new leader. The Revolution helped the rich by gaining them more control, " the rich could avoid the draft by paying for substitutes; the poor had to serve." As you can see the war supported the higher class and left the lower class to suffer.

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  4. The best interest of the American Revolution was United States, they could take over land, profits, and political power from favorites of the British Empire. In the process, they could hold back a number of potential rebellions and create a consensus of popular support for the rule of a new, privileged leadership. But the best interest about the American Revolution was our founding fathers because they created the most effective system of national control devised in modern times.

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  5. According to Zinn's argument in Chapter Four "Tyranny is Tyranny" The American Revolution was in the white land owners and wealthy colonist's interest. The reason is that many of the taxation enforced by the British government had affected a certain population of colonists, the middle and higher class. As a result, the colonials that pertained to such class were loosing more than those who pertained to the lower class. For example, the author states,"Court-recorded wills showed that by 1750 the wealthiest people in the cities were leaving 20,000 pounds (equivalent to about $5 million today)."
    Therefore, the wealthy colonials used the already growing grievances of the lower class caused by the Boston Massacre and other events and mobilized the lower-class energy for their own purposes and benefits, thus creating a revolution.

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  6. The American Revolution was in the best interest of the wealthy. The wealthy were being hit hard by the many different acts being set on the colonies. The Bostonian political group known as the “Loyal Nine” greatly resented the Stamp Act. This makes sense because the “Loyal Nine” consisted of distillers, master crafts men, merchants, and ship owners because they had to use paper documents to keep track of their orders and deliveries. The “Loyal Nine” knew the imposition of the Stamp Act would greatly reduce the profit they would make because of the countless taxes on hundreds of papers needed for their businesses. Due to their resentment, the wealthy hired leaders to organize riots to drive the British into repealing the Stamp Act so they could go back to their large profits of money. Once all was done and the British were gone, the wealthy assumed the roles of government officials and took control of the colonies. They got what exactly what they wanted, or deserved in their eyes, and went on with their lives as the top of the colonies.

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  7. The American Revolution was to the interest of the wealthy, for the reason that they were the ones who were going to gain the most from this. They were the ones who were trying to get " the lower orders to join the revolutionary cause, to deflect their anger against England". Just looking at the Loyal Nine tells you that it was to the wealthy's best interest to gain independence. They were comprised of merchants, shipowners, as well as master craftsmen, and they were wholeheartedly against the Stamp Act. Their businesses depended on the materials the Stamp Act were taxing, which earned them less money, and made them less happy. They went to the extreme of burning the stamp master's home in an act of protest. It was to the wealthy's best interest in having the American Revolution, yet they were able to convince the lower classes to join their cause.

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  8. The American revolution was in the wealthy colonials best interest. The separation of England helped the wealthy because the war had brought wealth for the merchants and unemployment for the poor. They saw that by separating England " they could take over land, profits, and political power from ... The British empire." The revolution helped the wealthy gain more control and have restricted leadership.

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  9. The American Revolution benefitted the wealthy which were merchants,shipowners, master craftsmen, etc. Becoming an entirely independent country had its benefits. For example chapter four states that "they found that by creating a nation...they could take over land, profits, and political power from favorites of the British Empire." The wealthy and educated colonists viewed the Stamp Act as unprofitable and saw to it that it was repealed. The protesting "Loyal Nine" which consisted of upper class gentlemen marched toward a stampmaster's home and burned his effigy. The lower class were unaffected by the Stamp Act. In fact, the educated gentry had to persuade and enrage the lower class colonials to join the revolutionary cause.

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  10. The American Revolution mostly benefited the wealthy colonist. Based on the separation of Britain(Mother Country) and the Americas we know that their will no longer be restrictions. Wealthy colonist depended on newspaper, life was happy until the Stamp Act shortened their profits, the wealthy colonist were enraged. Upper class colonist knew the lower class had no motive to rebel, so it was there job to convey them and to make them starve for independence.

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  11. The American Revolution mostly benefited the wealthy portion of the colonists. It was beneficiary to them because they found out that they could "take over land, profits, and political power from favorites of the British Empire" if they formed a new and united nation. That effect along with the Stamp Act - which they viewed only as an act that was taking money from them - was what really motivated the wealthy to join the war for independence. The poor colonists, on the other hand, weren't worried about the taxes because they weren't wealthy enough to buy any products that had taxes on them. However, they joined the wealthy in the war for independence because it was the wealthy colonists who rallied them up about the unfairness of it all.

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  12. The American Revolution basically favored the wealthy upper class men. The upper class men were rich which meant they had power, mainly political power. In the Zinn book in Chapter 4 Tyranny vs Tyranny shows the difference in power between the upper and lower class " could not be defended in a Course of Law because they were poor and...poor men always oppressed by the rich. The lower class had to struggle for independence.The lower class men were the ones who fought in the war because the wealthy paid to not participate.

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  13. The American Revolution was definitely in favor of the wealthy and white landowners. The reason for this was because, "They found that by creating a nation, a symbol, a legal unity called the United States, they could take over land, profits, and political power from favorites of the British empire." By taking control over the poor they would gain much land and get plenty out of that. The loyal nine, however, figured out how the poor would be affected so in turn the rallied up all those who would be affected and led them to destroy the stamp masters effigy. "Amazingly inflamed people", is how the loyal nine describe the rioters, since they would be greatly affected they had not much to lose.

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  14. According to Zinn the American Revolution was in the best interest for the land owners and wealthy colonies. Many of the wealthy colonies didn’t want to spend money on taxes. Therefore a few rich men rallied up the poor workers to fight for freedom. The wealthy knew that independence could bring them money and politic power. Zinn states that wealthy colonies “ take over land, profits, and political power from favorites of the British empire ". The American Revolution was in outstanding favor of the wealthy people to get away from taxes and take full power.

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  15. Based on Zinn's argument in Chapter Four "Tyranny is Tyranny", the American Revolution was in the best interest of the wealthy colonists. They owned land and companies that suffered from the taxes imposed upon them by the British. To get away from those taxes and to “…take over land, profits, and political power.”, they rallied up the colonies with powerful speeches and “some benefits for the rebellious poor” in order to rise against the mother country. The wealthy colonists greatly benefited from the war without having to participate in battle. They then created the government and Declaration of Independence in a way to suit their needs.

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  16. The American Revolution was in best interest to the wealthy colonies. I agree with Zinn when he mentions " With the French defeated, the British government could turn its attention to tightening control over the colonies", the British figured that by defeating the French they had a chance to gain the colonies. The Revolution benefited the wealthy because they would be able to own more land and stay away from taxes. The wealthy colonies did not want to invest their money in taxes, so they hired lower class to fight for their rights. The American Revolution in absolute best interest to the wealthy because they benefited many things such as political power.

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  17. The American Revolution was in the wealthy colonist and landowners best interest. As Zinn states,"...they could take over land, profits, and political power...," they knew they would take control over the poor. In chapter 4 Zinn explains the difference between the upper class and lower class. The wealthy were not happy with the Stamp Act because it would affect their profit. Therefore, the rich got the poor to fight for independence. The war brought wealth for the merchants and unemployment for the poor.

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  18. I believe that the American Revolution was in favor of the wealthy colonists. Zinn states that a group called "Loyal Nine" which were wealthy people disliked the British taxes. "Loyal Nine" consisted of shipowners, merchants, craftsmen, etc. The British taxes manly affected the wealthy people so many were furious and very enraged. Which influenced wealthy colonists to promote boycotts and other types of rebellion to stop the taxation. The poor people joined the cause of independence because rich people rallied them and told them of the unfairness of the taxes.

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  19. The group who would benefited the most after the American Revolutionary War according to Zinn’s argument, were the colonist who would replace the English wealthy. Tyranny is Tyranny meant the British wealthy were being replaced by eventually by the American wealthy.A good example in Zinn’s chapter is “69% of the sighers of the Declaration of independence had held colonial office under England” P.74 and many of the rich got out of the draft by paying the poor to go and fight for their independence

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  20. According to Zinn the American Revolution, it favored the upper class men which were rich people who had political power. This chapter also explains the difference between upper class and the lower class. The wealthy knew that if they favored for the stamp act it will affect their profit. The poor had to fight for their independence. Also the rich did not want to fight in the war. The war had left many merchants with no jobs.

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  21. Howard Zinns chapter four on "Tyranny is Tyranny" . The American Revolution supported the wealthy quantity of the colonists. The rich were being given sorts of different acts for example the Stamp Act. The wealthy got mad, and formed riots so the British can repeal the act. Eventually, the British left and the wealthy took over the colonies. They continued on with their life in the position of power .

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  22. The American revolution was in the best interest of the wealthy. It was in the wealthy's interest because they were gaining the most out of the revolution. During this time, many acts were trying to be passed but some did not successfully pass. Acts like the Stamp Act, the wealthy repealed the Stamp Act because they viewed it as a way to not make profit or benefit from it. The upper class had also persuaded the lower class for revolution because the upper class saw independence as an opportunity to gain wealth. In Zinn's argument from chapter 4 "tyranny is tyranny" he states, "...take over land, profits, and political power from favorites of the British empire." which shows how the upperclass could benefit from the revolution. In conclusion, it was the wealthy that was in best interest from the American Revolution.

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  23. The American Revolution was in the landowning and wealthy colonists interests because they were the ones that were gaining the most from it. This is seen when Zinn states that the people in the English colonies thought that by having one united nation they would "take over land, profits, and political power from the favorites of the British empire". The wealthy people did not want to spend money on the taxes and since the taxes mainly affected them, they somehow managed to make the poor see the unfairness of them. It was the rich people's job to give the poor motives so they could fight the war and join their cause. The upper class was aware that by gaining independence they would also gain political control and power as well as money.

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  24. Based on the text it seems to that the revolutions best favored the rich, white, and male population. In the text Zinn states "By creating a nation, a symbol, a legal unity called the United States, they could take over lands, profit, and political power from favorites of the British Empire." the wealthy wear just looking for away to stay wealthy in my opinion, and the biggest problem for them at the time were the Tax Acts the British implemented towards their products. They needed away to escape these taxes from the British, so they began a revolution. Don't get me wrong freedom is great and all but let’s face the facts revolution mainly was in the best interest of the wealthy and the only people who were considered to be wealthy were white male land owners whose profit was heavily impacted by the British. Women had almost no rights and those of non Caucasian descent were either low class workers who couldn’t vote or slaves who were treated as pieces of property, even white folk who didn’t own land couldn’t vote. The sad part is the rich stayed rich at home niece and comfortable while the lower class people gave their lives for what their freedom. Overall the revolution mainly benefited the rich white male land owners.

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  25. The ones that best benefited from the American Revolution were the wealthy colonist. The rich were the ones being affected by taxation, it would only makes sense for them to appose being ruled by the British, since the uneducated and poor weren't taxed at all. The wealthy saw many winnings at the end of the revolution. For example, they would get political power, quote," “...they could take over land, profits, and political power.” The poor being naive and uneducated didn't see the significance of having control in governing. In the end, the wealthy were the ones that best benefited from the Revolution by them not only not loosing any more money, but by gaining political power. By the way, it's sad that the so-cal democrat/republic U.S government today is mainly in control of the wealthy and educated.

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  26. In my opinion, the American Revolution was mainly in the interest of the poor even though taxepayers mostly belonged the high class. From the Zinn book we realize that a revolution would have benefited the rich since that would allow them to rule their own area and that would make those rich even richer. However, it is said that the loyalists which made 20-30% of the colonies belonged to the high class and they were against the revolution. On the other side, the patriots, which were usually the lower class were the ones in favor of a revolution. They believed that independence would help them have a better chance of succeeding, it would help them get rid of taxes, wars and trade intervention caused by Britain.

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  27. According to the text the revolutionary war had benefited mainly the wealthy. They saw that by branching off from Britain they would be in control of the power "a legal unity called the United States, they could take over land, profits, and political power". With this power they could expand even further and just keep expanding and growing larger. The revolutionary war had only benefited the poor at a low extent. As the war was being fought the rich had used the poor to fight and eventually gain independence with only giving little involvment. By the end of war the remaining society would eventually lead to American capatilism.

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  28. The American Revolution was in the best interest of the wealthy upper class. The taxes Britain was enforcing on the colonists did not affect the poor because it did not pertain to most of them. The wealthy saw establishing the United States as its own country as a way to take over land, profits, and political power they had been giving to Britain. Independence was a plus, but not their main intention. The "Loyal Nine" was made up of ship owners, craftsmen, merchants, and distillers. They resented the Stamp Act and wanted to rebel. In order to convince the lower class to join the revolution, upper class politicians had to be deceptive and act like they cared about the lower class' problems; however it was for their own benefit.

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  29. Based on Zinn's Chapter 4, "Tyranny is Tyranny" I received the impression that the American Revolution was in the wealthy's best interest. "The Regulators saw that a combination of wealth and political power ruled North Carolina..." page 63. This meant that the wealthy, who were usually "Loyalists" overpowered the poor. This meant that the wealthy had most benefit, because the tax were put on goods that the poor obviously didnot acquire. This meant that only the poor were heavily affected in the taxes enforced such as the Stamp Tax and Tea Tax. The Stamp Tax moreso outrages the poor colonists which stressed the negative impact it had on them during the uproar.

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  30. Based on Zinn's argument in chapter four "Tyranny is Tyranny," the American revolution was in the best interests of wealthy colonists. The revolutions of the seventeenth century were only beneficial for white, land owning colonists. The wealthy colonists were entitled to the right of life, liberty, and happiness without boundaries. For example, as Zinn states "The kind of arbitrary taxation that threatened the security of property was overthrown, monopolies were ended to give more free reign to business, and sea power began to be used for an imperial policy abroad.." The poor however were basically ignored and were left with the responsibility of serving in military drafts. The revolution was not fair because of the diversity of who benefited from the declaration. Zinn also agrees by questioning, "And how could people truly have equal rights, with stark differences in wealth?"

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  31. I believe that in Chapter 4 "TYRANNY IS TYRANNY"by Howard Zinn, is trying to show case that the American Revolution was in favor of the rich. In paragraph 9 , Zinn states that the rich were getting taxed about 20,000 pounds which translate to about 5,000,000 dollars in this day and age. Therefore, the rich land owners brought the working class together and feed them the idea of independence. Being working class, most men were uneducated thus, they could not see that in the long run the rich would end up overtaking the colonies.

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  32. The America Revolution was in the best interest of the wealthy/ upper class. When it came to the Stamp Act he poor wasn't affected but the rich were, but the poor were outraged by the actions of the wealthy. The rich being the rich benefited from the American Revolution because they were mostly rich colonists with power or in the reach of it. The wealthy also benefited because they had money to get out of fighting with the military, while the poor had to to poor. "The rich... could avoid the draft by paying... the poor had to serve." (Page 75)

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  33. Based on chapter 4 I feel that the American Revolution was in favor of the wealthy. The taxes that were put on to the colonist by Britain did not affect the poor but mainly the wealthy. "Loyal Nine" we're the wealthy people who hated the taxes. Since the wealthy were the ones affected by this they were outraged and that's where boycotts and rebellions began. The wealthy explained to the poor how unfair the taxes were had they had poor fight for independence. The war caused unemployment for the poor but wealth for the merchants.

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  34. Based on Zinn's argument in Chapter Four "Tyranny is Tyranny" the American Revolution was in the merchants, powerful and wealthy colonist's best interest. At the time Britain was imposing different taxes on the colonists every few months and while it seemed to affect all population it really didn't. It mostly affected the rich and they did not like that. As Zinn states "What seemed to have happened in Boston is that certain lawyers, editors and merchants of the upper classes, but excludes from the ruling circles close to England... called the 'mob' into action. " It is to say that the rich and important managed to anger the poor colonist and set them against England for their own benefit. As Zinn explains "...certain important people in the English colonies made a discovery..." "They found that by creating a nation, a symbol, a legal unity called the United States, they could take over land, profits, and political power from favorites of the British Empire." to show how after the Revolutionary War ended in America's favor the powerful, wealthy colonists and merchants will benefit from the land, profits and political power that England would lose. The poor colonists would be affected by the Revolution in both good and bad ways but not comparing to all the good, power and wealth the powerful, wealthy colonists and merchants would gain.

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  35. Since Zinn is telling the PEOPLE'S history of the United States, I knew before reading this chapter that his argument was going to be in favor of the people who weren't rich or land owners. He was going to tell both sides of the story but be a little bias towards the people who were poor and suffered. I was correct. Throughout chapter four, Zinn states that the American Revolution was in the best interest of the people who were either white, wealthy, or land owners. According to Zinn, "The war brought glory for the generals, death to the privates, wealth for the merchants, and unemployment for the poor." He even goes on and states that the lower classes would even have meetings to discuss their grievances while the wealthy were only getting wealthier. Their grievances even led to the mob action against the rich after the Stamp Act of 1765, which really angered the wealthy people who sold paper because the taxes on their merchandise would only drive their customers away (oh, boo hoo, talk about #whitepeopleproblems). All throughout this revolution there was battles of poor against rich all throughout the colonies. It even became more apparent that the revolution was in the favor of the wealthy when Zinn stated that the propertyless could not vote. If you weren't wealthy, you had very little rights and opportunities.

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  36. In my opinion I believe that the American Revolution was in favor of the wealthy colonials such as the "Loyal Nine". Why.? Well because they had much to benefit from the separation of England, such as profits, being able to take over land, and most importantly political power. The wealthy nine were made up of ship owners, master craftsman, and merchants they were against the stamp act due to the fact that the act was taxing the materials their business depended on and would not let their business prosper.

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  37. In chapter 4 "Tyranny is Tyranny" Zinn shows that the American Revolution was mainly a benefit for the rich, and any white landowner. The wealthy colonists wanted to have more power, and if they had become independent they could have that opportunity. Zinn wrote" the top 5 percent of Boston's taxpayers controlled 49% of the city's taxable assets." This showed how the wealthy men controlled a good majority and that the poor people could not do much about it if they were to become independent. The elite men really benefited from the American Revolution, however it was just self-beneficial, not to the rest of the colonists.

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  38. Based on Zinn's argument in Chapter Four "Tyranny is Tyranny" the American Revolution was in the best interest of the wealthier colonials. "The rich, it turned out, could avoid the draft by paying for substitutes; the poor had to serve" The wealthy did not even fight in the revolution that would in the end profit them the most out of everyone. They used their wealth and power as tools to rile up the colonists for a war where they would get the sort end of the deal. They did all the hard work, while the rich received most of the profit.

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    1. In chapter 4 "Tyranny is Tyranny" Zinn basically inputs that the Revoltionary War was something the upper class got more of a kick out of! They were the wealthy class and it pretty much only benefitted them. The lower class were made up of poor people that wouldn't get much benefits. The upper class had to persuade them into thinking they should be in motion for becoming an independent country. The upper class kind of took advantage of the lower class too! The upper class was mainly those in political power and they refused to fight in war. They left the lower class to do the dirty work.

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  39. In Chapter Four “Tyranny is Tyranny,” it can be seen that the American Revolution was in the best interest of the upper class. As the war brought “…wealth for the merchants, unemployment for the poor,” The colonies had been full of class anger in those days. During the 1770’s, as the top 5 percent of Boston’s taxpayers had controlled 40% of the city’s taxable assets, and other places evolved into wealth concentrated colonies, the lower class began to vent for their grievances. However as Britain imposed taxes on the colonies, the ones primarily affected were the wealthy, as the lower class had little to nothing to tax. Moreover, the poor were disregarded of their grievances and fought a war most beneficial to the upper class. With the revolution in effect, the wealthy, powerful, upper class men sought out for independence and the creation of a government set up by the people to secure their “life, liberty, and happiness.” However, with the talk of government and political rights, the evident inequalities of property and wealth were completely ignored, which contradicted the phrase “all men are created quell.”

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  40. The American Revolution was in the rich/ wealthy interest. The reason for that is because they are the ones who received the action the British enforced in the colonies. For example, the Stamp Act majorly affected the wealthy since they are composed of shipmakers, merchants, or master crafts men who ran businesses. Mostly the rich where in touch with paper necessities for either readings such as newspapers or companies who supplied themselves on paper.Therefore, having to pay the taxes would decrease their profit and would not convenient. The chapter states, They found the by creating a nation...they could take overland, profits, and political power from favorites of the British Empire."

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  41. In chapter 4, "Tyranny is Tyranny" Howard Zinn stated that if they created a united nation they would,"...take over land, profits, and political power from favorites of the British Empire." The American Revolution definitely was beneficial for the wealthy and the white landowners. The poor colonists didn't really benefit from it. The "Loyal Nine" were people who opposed the Stamp Act and organized a procession to protest it. They began rebellions and the wealthy rallied up the poor to rebel against the taxes and fight for independence. However, the war caused unemployment for the poor.

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  43. Ideally, after reading chapters 1-3 we would expect Zinn would give the opposing perspective of the people, as he did, many would believe that the America revolution was in the poor colonials best interest since they are ones who had the right to be angry and realistically were the ones directly fighting in combat. However, through Zinn's connections and our knowledge of the war we can conclude the American Revolution was in favor of the wealthy colonials. When we now think of the American Revolution we can now see that the poor had no reasons to fight they had no motives to disagree with taxes, with power nor with order, the majority of the poor people were uneducated and just wanted to make a living of the little they had. On the other hand, the "Loyal Nine" were those of power, who had already made a living, who only wanted improve and raise in their social standing as wealthy men. As Zinn projects his claim, "The war had brought... wealth the merchants, unemployment to the poor." The war was only benefiting the wealthy, it was creating less problems for them by not having to pay taxes and giving them more land which is more power, meanwhile the poor would be jeopardizing and risking their lives fighting for the rich who did not need to be directly involved in the war. Although the rich did not fight directly in the war they still had the upper hand and maintained the higher power, which to this day it remains the same.

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