Was the American War for Independence Inevitable?

The question of whether the American War for Independence was inevitable has been a topic of extensive debate among historians. While some argue it could have been prevented, a compelling argument exists that supports the inevitability of the conflict. Central to this argument is the British government's strict restriction on westward expansion past the Appalachian Mountains and the resulting conflict with Native Americans.

The British Government's Stance on Expansion

The British government was resolute in its desire to limit westward settlement to the Appalachian ridge line. The exploitation of the wilderness for trading interests led to a significant clash between British policies and the ambitions of English settlers. During the French and Indian War, the British military forces were larger than the entire settler population of French North America, indicating the critical role of colonial expansion in military strength.

Westward expansion involved land-clearing and intensive agricultural usage, which often led to conflict with Native Americans. These conflicts were extremely expensive and politically costly. For instance, actions like Pontiac’s War highlighted the high costs of maintaining order in the colonies. If the British government had allowed settlers to move west without protection, it would have been politically untenable given the fallout from such conflicts and the demands for intervention in British politics.

The Cultural and Political Impact of Land Availability

Around the late 18th century, the British metropole had a clear vision for America: a belt of white settlement along the coast up to the Appalachians, with the lands west of the mountains reserved for Native Americans. This approach aimed to minimize conflict and keep the costs of empire management lower. Native Americans would trade furs with and not fight with English colonists, while the rest of the continent was owned by Spain and France, posing no further expansionist threats.

At the same time, the English colonies themselves were a demographic powder keg. Early settlement east of the Appalachians had yielded abundant land for white settlers, leading to large families and a culture of voluntary relationships and social choice. The availability of land for the next generation was a central pillar of colonial life. Social and political institutions were formed around this reality, with a significant difference noted in the relationship between British officers and colonial soldiers during the French and Indian War. Provincial soldiers insisted on self-selection of leaders and were less willing to accept strict military discipline.

The Inherent Uniqueness of Colonial America

The entire society and political culture of white colonial America depended on the availability of land for the next generation. Even with large families and no resources or social connections, it was expected that most would own their own farms someday. This rapid population growth only intensified the hunger for more land on the western frontier. The east of the mountains was becoming too crowded and expensive, pushing settlers towards the west.

The two realities – London’s controlling vision and America’s insatiable thirst for cheap land across the Appalachians – could not coexist indefinitely. The weaker element broke, leading to the inevitable conflict that would become the American War for Independence. The combination of British restrictions and the colonial desire for land created an inescapable path toward conflict.

In conclusion, the American War for Independence was not just a result of economic and political differences but was fundamentally driven by the conflict between Imperial control and the colonists' access to land. This inherent contradiction made the war inevitable.