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Montgomery Bar Association and...

The American Revolution?
By Christopher M. Sperring, Esq.,
Co-Chair, Historical Committee

hat does the American Revolution have to do with practicing law in
Montgomery County? You might want to say nothing, but the reality is
everything. The Historical Committee hosted a virtual tour presentation of
the Museum of the American Revolution on March 3, 2021. Attendees learned many
different facts and lessons - including the life of average citizens during the time period,
the early buildup to war, the war itself and the aftermath. Together, each of these topics
built a story that we can connect to our lives here in Montgomery County today.
The American Revolution was fought for justice and freedom for all. But justice and
freedom from what? Prior to the Revolution, Americans were British subjects governed
by British law. British law covered many aspects of daily life, including mundane
regulations on where to build privies (early waste dumps) and the proper operation of
taverns. However, British law also protected slavery and individual rights, such as trials
by a jury of your peers. While slavery has thankfully been cast aside long before today,
British law and life were so popular then that most citizens of America at the time
maintained their allegiance to the British crown even throughout the Revolution.
So why did we diverge? Attendees
learned that the issue, much like our
disputes today, focused on taxes and
individual rights promised by British law.
After the Seven Years War, Britain taxed
Americans directly through legislation like
the Stamp Act. Prior to this, the British
rarely taxed colonists directly, instead taxing
the colonies themselves. Direct taxation
caused riotous behavior when the Stamp Act
was enforced throughout America. More egregiously, the British suspended trials by
jury for failing to pay the tax and violators were sailed to England for trial.
The response was similar to what we see today: protests and, sometimes, violent
riots. For instance, the colonies entered agreements to refuse the importation of
goods coming from England such as wine and cheese. Others resorted to tarring and
feathering British tax officials. Finally, many turned to revolution when the protests
and riots actually caused more forceful British measures against colonists. Colonists
cited taxation without consent and the deprivation of jury trials among the many
motivations for revolution. From there, we all know the story. American won its
independence despite several years of bitter winters and many lost battles through,
skilled American commanders, key foreign alliances and sometimes just the sheer
perseverance to win.
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