Abstract

Was the American Revolution a just war? Did it adhere to the accepted standards for determining a just war? This article evaluates the American situation in the 1770s, including the Americans’ claims to be Englishmen, the level of taxation in the colonies, their level of freedom, and the violence perpetrated by American colonists. It also investigates the validity of the primary American argument – no taxation without representation. The reporting of key events and American propaganda is explored along with its significance for the overall question. Finally, this article evaluates the American Revolution in light of standard just war rules. The conclusion of this article is negative: the American colonists did not, overall, fight a just war