Many people say that the American Revolution was inevitable, but inevitability in history is a tricky thing to prove. Nevertheless, political, economic, and regional issues conspired to build up tensions that erupted into open conflict after more than 150 years as an English colony. A stew of causes led to this historic break between England's American subjects.
Although the English colonies in America grew to be different depending on regional conditions, in all cases there was nevertheless a clear path toward an eventual rupture in ties. New England's short growing season and rocky terrain forced her settlers to be resilient and turn to livelihoods other than farming. The cold waters off the coast provided plentiful fish and whales as well as a convenient highway on which to trade.…
