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 There is a lot of focus on tariffs and non-representation of the colonies when we are discussing the reasons for the Revolutionary War. But there is an often-overlooked component to this, it’s the actual daily economics that colonists had to deal with.

It’s important to understand that culturally, the colonists were seen as ‘British subjects’, kind of. In theory and name, they were subjects like everyone else, but they were seen as inferior, dirty, and lessor. There was an attitude of ‘you couldn’t make it here, so you had to go to the colonies’ (this is very oversimplified). Due to policy, trade structures, and unavailability of options, the colonists had to purchase things from certain companies or groups.

George Washington wrote several letters about this before he joined in the Revolutionary War. He writes, ‘My Seed has degenerated, tho’ a Change will recover it. I will spare you some but do not fail to procure some elsewhere.’ George understood something sinister was happening with his seeds. The prices had been steadily increasing, while the quality of the product failed. He would often get the wrong seeds, seeds that were dead and ineffective, or even varieties that would not grow in Virginia.

In Britain, there was a greater open market for seeds. The consumers could purchase seeds from multiple vendors who imported all sorts of seeds, plants, and other things of all varieties from across the globe. There were multiple distributors, multiple shops, multiple options, and thus competition. A stark contrast from the colonies, who had limited options, long wait times, and increased prices.

There were only a few organizations that would bring seeds and items from Britain to the colonies and even fewer distributors once they arrived in North America. Furthermore, because of the competitive markets in Europe, the companies sold all their quality seeds and products first in Europe, leaving only subpar and sometimes completely defective seeds for the colonies. To make things worse, these companies and organizations knew that the colonists had no other option than to buy their products, so they drastically increased their prices, recovering from the voyage and any losses suffered in the European markets through competition.

This leads to a type of society where neighbors are having to share any viable seeds that they can get their hands on. Washington writes about failing at almost every crop he attempts, finding success only with potatoes and carrots, ‘I have so often failed in Cabbages that I will not plant many of them hereafter tho’ I now have a tolerable Crop. Pease are at least doubtful the Horse Bean is worse. Our Suns are too hot & Vermin too plenty—Potatoes & Carrotts are sure & excellent. I hesitate about transplanting Carrots. They are apt to grow hairy & forked when transplanted.’

While this is just an example of seeds, there were several other examples all brought about by the Navigation Acts. The Acts stated that for most goods and products, British colonies could only purchase from other British colonies and Britain itself. This is the practical reason why George Washington meets and befriends a notorious smuggler named John Hancock, who had a penchant for avoiding the British and getting Madeira wine, glass, lead, paper, molasses, and tea into the country largely unnoticed until the British impounded his ship, the Liberty.