During the period leading up to the American Revolution, specific groups among the colonists were more likely to respond violently to increased taxation without representation. These included:
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Frontier Settlers: Those living on the edges of colonial society often faced different economic pressures, including high taxes and lack of representation. Discontent among these populations could lead to violent uprisings.
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Working-Class Colonists: Many laborers, artisans, and small farmers faced economic hardships due to taxation. They might have been compelled to react violently when taxes threatened their livelihoods.
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Radical Groups: Organizations like the Sons of Liberty actively organized protests and sometimes resorted to violence (e.g., the Boston Tea Party) to express their opposition to British policies.
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Disaffected Individuals: Colonists who felt particularly aggrieved by British rule or experienced personal losses due to tax policies were more likely to engage in violent acts against symbols of British authority.
Overall, marginalized or economically vulnerable groups were often the ones that reacted with violence, as they had the most to lose from increased taxation and felt disenfranchised by the political system.