What arguments were given against war with Great Britain
Despite the American citizens’ strong desire for independence from Britain, there was much opposition to going to war. The majority of colonists hoped for some compromise that would preserve the unity of the British Empire while allowing them to still govern themselves.
First and foremost, the colonists feared a military confrontation with the powerful British. British forces had superior numbers, wealth, and resources. Going to war risked a “David versus Goliath” outcome with America, at the time in its infants stages, sorely underprepared
Another major argument against war was the fear that the colonists would not be able to unify in their cause. Unification was difficult due to America’s large geographic area and enormous population of nearly four million people. Thus the colonies were divided into regions dominated by various economic interests. Some, especially in the South, profited from trade of slaves or other goods with British merchants, while other interests in the North disagreed with British policies.
Colonists with a military mindset argued that force was not the only solution to achieving political unity. Most of the high-ranking officers in the military were loyal to the Crown and therefore the prospect of them betraying their loyalty was slim. Furthermore, the British forces stationed in America outnumbered the colonists. In some areas, their presence was hundreds of times the number of American troops.
Religion was also a factor in convincing colonists to avoid war. Though precise numbers are impossible to assess, there is evidence that many colonists were pacifists in their religious convictions. Some feared that any war would be unjustified, and that God would punish them.
Additionally, colonists also saw war as an expensive endeavor-financially and emotionally. The cost of procuring and maintaining an army would be exorbitant, financially draining the meager resources of the colonists. As the colonies had minimal tax revenues, this would further add to the financial burden.
Economically, even if the colonists won their independence, war would be costly for trade. British goods were the most valued and many colonists built their economies on exporting American crops to the Motherland. The prospect of disrupting this commerce was wildly unpopular and fearful.
Tensions and People’s Impact
The atmosphere between the colonists and the British Empire was tense in the years leading up to the war. The colonists had grown increasingly dissatisfied with the taxes they had to pay to the British. In response, the British sought to maintain order and control in the colonies by employing harsh measures such as the Intolerable Acts.
The Americans’ fury was further stoked by the many unjust and oppressive laws passed by the British, who were largely unaware of the real conditions in America. Both the passing of oppressive laws and their enforcement had a direct impact on the people of the colonies, sowing the seed for the resentment, anger, and indignation that would later become one of the main driving forces of the Revolutionary War.
At the same time, many of the leaders of the American Revolution were wary of taking up arms against the mother country out of loyalty to the British Crown. Despite considerable tension between the colonists and the British, some leaders such as Thomas Paine and Patrick Henry sought a political solution that would maintain unity while allowing the colonies to govern themselves.
Furthermore, some of the Founding Fathers argued that America would not be able to survive on its own without the assistance of Britain. This was a common argument among those seeking to avoid war.
The Potential Effects of War
Colonists who were against war argued that the potential effects of war could be devastating for the future of the colonies. They were afraid that colonies would not be able to withstand British forces, leading to severe military losses. They also argued that war could lead to displacement of innocent civilians, deaths, and a prolonged conflict.
In addition, they argued that a prolonged war could lead to dissension in the colonies, further increasing their vulnerability to a military defeat. They also feared the financial costs of a war, which would be devastating to the economic development of the colonies as much money would need to be spent on military resources.
Those in favor of a compromise argued that war would also lead to a decreased chance of trade as the British would be unwilling to trade with a colony that had revolted. This could have disastrous implications for the American economy because it would result in a loss of important resources and goods.
Moreover, war would cut off America from the rest of the world, as many other nations would be unwilling to maintain trading relations with a nation in a state of war. This would lead to an isolated America, without access to important resources and with further economic deterioration.
The Cost of Human Life
Opponents of war also argued the large cost in human life and suffering a war with Britain would incur. While no one could predict the toll war would exact on civilian and soldier personnel, it was a point commonly evoked as a means to avoid a conflict.
The cost of war was seen as unfair and disproportionate; even with a win, the losses in human life and suffering would be immense and costly. The emotional and physical toll would thenceforth be grieved by family and friends for many years to come.
If the colonies resorted to war, they would inevitably face more soldiers and resources. Furthermore, if they lost, unyielding punishment would be exacted upon those responsible, with Great Britain in total control. A heavy burden of guilt would be placed upon those who were responsible for such a destructive conflict.
The cost of war was psychologically a terrifying prospect. To cause such an incredibly disruptive and destructive series of events by going to war was a fear too big for many colonists involved.
The Potential for Diplomacy
The most widely accepted and desirable solution was some form of negotiation. It was hoped that by dialoguing with Britain, an agreement could be reached that would end the stalemate between them, provide a measure of economic freedom, and appease the spirit of independence already present in some colonies.
Most of those in favor of negotiation pointed to the common history that the colonies shared with Britain and their deep cultural ties as a reason why such a compromise was possible. These connections were seen as invaluable in forging a unified agreement.
Others argued that continuing to work within the system would allow the colonies to leverage their political power and slowly but surely obtain more rights. From this perspective, it was thought that negotiating with the British yielded more economic and political gains than resorting to war.
The majority of colonists, however, were pessimistic about negotiations. They argued that the British were largely unmoved by the grievances of the Americans, having become used to exploiting them for their own benefits. Moreover, were the British to find out about the American military preparation, they would be forced to take immediate decisive actions.
Economic and Political Reasons
The main arguments against war at the time centered around economics and politics. Politically, it was argued that a war would be bad for the relationship between Britain and its American colonies, and could lead to a complete rupture of the two governments. Economically, it was argued that a war would be economically damaging for both Britain and America due to the disruption of trade.
Moreover, a war would mean that the American colonies would need to expend resources on financing and maintaining an army, which was seen as an immense cost with no guarantee of success.
Finally, those against war argued that a war could lead to increased sectarian hatred and violence between the British and Americans, further exacerbating tensions and leading to destructive consequences.
The International Context
Those against war with Britain also viewed the war as a risk to international reputation and security. Nations around the world were wary of a divided empire. Alliances would likely fracture and the balance of power in the world would be significantly affected. Britain and America would become embroiled in a costly international conflict involving Europe, but would be underprepared and vulnerable.
Further, war with Britain was seen as a risk to America’s political independence. While the result of the war could be a free America, there was no guarantee that Britain would allow this in the long-term. They would likely seek to recapture the colonies, and the odds of America winning against an imperial power like Britain were considered slim.
America could also face the threat of international retaliation due to Britain’s powerful allies. Nations in Europe that had a vested interest in the empire could seek to avenge Britain, forcing America into a world war that it would be ill-equipped to handle.
In Sum
In sum, the American colonists were wary of a war with Britain for a variety of reasons. There were political, economic, and religious arguments against war, as well as international considerations. Additionally, people were concerned about the cost of war, both in terms of money and human life.
Though the majority opinion of the time was against war, the will of the American people eventually overwhelmed this fear, resulting in the Revolution. Even after the war began, the majority of the colonists still wished for a compromise that would preserve the unity of the British Empire while allowing them to still govern themselves.
