The British Parliament's Response to the American Revolution: A Lack of Communication and a World War

During the American Revolution, the British Parliament's initial response was one of confusion and, perhaps, unfamiliarity with the term ldquo;revolution.rdquo; Instead, they regarded it as a rebellion or insurrection, a situation familiar to them given the frequent uprisings in Ireland and Scotland. The Scottish Jacobites, for instance, had attempted to overthrow the British monarchy, and this opposition was met with severe repression. However, as the conflicts in the Thirteen American colonies escalated, the Parliament’s perspective began to shift, driven by political nuances, alliances, and the growing threat to the Empire.

Communication Challenges and Initial Actions

Communication between the American colonies and the British Parliament was incredibly inefficient, relying on mail that took weeks to reach its intended recipients. Consequently, approvals and responses often arrived too late to be of much use, such as the King’s third, who was often kept largely in the dark about the actual state of affairs in the colonies. The information he did receive was often several weeks out of date and perhaps biased by the dispatchers involved.

The governance of the British colonies was primarily decided by local officials who, for the most part, managed to make sound decisions. However, some officials, affected by sentiment or misinformation, made poor decisions. King George III, who was largely unaware of the real situation, had to rely on outdated and often biased dispatches to inform his decisions, making them increasingly irrelevant to the rapidly changing circumstances on the ground.

The Transition from Rebellion to World War

By 1778, when the Thirteen American colonies formed an alliance with France, many supporters in Parliament began to waver. The hopes of reconciliation between the British Empire and the American colonies faded, as did the opportunity for a peaceful resolution. The American rebellion evolved into a world war, with Spain and the Dutch joining in. Despite the escalating conflict and the mounting threat, the British government continued to fight, believing that most of their subjects in the Thirteen American colonies remained loyal to the Empire. Numerous loyalists, including thousands of American Loyalists and black subjects who had escaped their ldquo;patriotrdquo; masters, fought alongside the King's forces and were granted freedom in exchange for their service.

The revolution thus appeared more like a civil war to many contemporaries, with its deeply personal, vindictive, and cruel aspects that shattered families, divided communities, and dissolved friendships. Riding a wave of dramatic and often violent events, the American Revolution was a landmark event that tested the bonds of loyalty and allegiance on both sides of the Atlantic.

The American Loyalist Diaspora and Compensation

Approximately 100,000 American Loyalists chose to leave the Thirteen Colonies, marking a significant migration that historians refer to as the Loyalist Diaspora. Parliament attempted to address the losses suffered by these Loyalists, though their efforts were incredibly costly and required extensive support across the entire British Empire.

Lessons from History: The Importance of Communication

The lack of effective communication can serve as a valuable lesson for modern governance. Had there been telephones, fax machines, and other modern communication technologies available, many of the dramatic events of the American Revolution might have been avoided. The British and American colonies were actually not as far apart as one might think; their proximity facilitated commerce and culture, despite the political divisions that arose.

The First Continental Congress, officially recognized by the British Crown, was met with little attention. The King only listened to letters from appointed officials, leading to a significant disconnect with the colonists. This illustrates the importance of timely and accurate communication in maintaining political stability and preventing conflicts from escalating to the degree they did during the American Revolution.