American Revolution, any way to stop it?

[Marshal Murat]

Would there have been any way to stop the American Revolution before it started?

I was wondering what would have been necessary to do to stop the Revolution.

[thrashaholic]

With hindsight, if I were the prime-minister of Britain at the time, I'd have enacted a policy of assemblies (like Scotland's parliament or the Welsh assembly) with a certain degree of autonomy and policy making power, but ultimate sovereignty lying in London, throughout the Empire. This would've undone the primary argument of the American rebels.

Tax wasn't a problem in pre-rebellion America at all; Americans were some of the wealthiest and least-taxed people in the Empire (indeed before the "Boston tea party" tea tariffs were slashed, it was smugglers who stood to lose their business who destroyed the tea). IMO the rebellion was primarily an issue of representation, which my solution would solve.

The rebels were rich, so wanted power that matched that wealth.

Another question that could be raised from this though is that if America hadn't gained independence, would the European empires have lasted for longer? I ask because there'd be no precedent for the constiuent countries to try to leave, and because the USA was one of the main proponents of breaking up the empires so it could trade more freely with the world.

[Azi Tohak]

Yup yup, 'no taxation without representation'. Lots of jealousy from the 13 towards the Sugar Monopoly and their rotton boroughs. Of course... I am sure someone would have come up with some way to convince a large number of Colonists to break away... but no representation was the biggie.

I do love how big a deal the tea tax was. I think it amounted to what you could scrounge out of your couch over the course of a year. But hey... mobs don't have to smrt (lots of historical examples of that).

Yes, I do think, had the Americans not revolted the European empires would have lasted longer. No example to follow, especially not a successful example. However, I do not believe there was any way to keep those empires for a long period of time. As in, I do not believe there is anyway the 13 colonies (and whatever would have happened in the last 200 years) would still be part of the British Empire.

Azi

[Gawain of Orkeny]

Would there have been any way to stop the American Revolution before it started?

You mean the War of Independance dont you?

[Marshal Murat]

Of course, War of Independence.

[ShadesWolf]

'no taxation without representation'

Totally agree, these people were British subjects. It was not a place we had conquered. But should have been classed as part of Britain as Scotland and Wales was.

[Kraxis]

You mean the War of Independance dont you?

Depends on your location really... War of Independence means something entirely different to a Greek or Dutch for instance. Or any other of hundreds of people.

So American Revolution is a way better label.

[Kaiser of Arabia]

To be quite honest, if General Howe had not been so hesitent to attack the Americans after the Battle of Bunker Hill, he could have ended it right quick.

Well, realize, he was British. Brits don't like attacking, as history shows. Took an Irishman to beat napoleon, at least.