George III 1780

During the middle reign of George III, Britain lost most of its colonies in North America to the United States. The king viewed the colonials as second class citizens, who were not entitled to representation in Parliament. When Parliament  bypassed the colonial assemblies and imposed direct taxes on colonist activities, the populace took up arms.  On the domestic front, George III was nicknamed Farmer George because of his passion for agriculture and "his plain, homely, thrifty lifestyle and tastes.” He attempted to imbue his many children with the love of farming by demanding that each work their own vegetable garden in what is now the Chew Gardens area.

By the mid 1770s, George III presided over probably the most expansive stage of the so-called “Empire.” Control of India, the domination of newly discovered Australia, Canada won from France, colonies in the Caribbean, islands in the Mediterranean and South East , enclaves in Africa and the Middle East, AND colonies in the Mid-Atlantic North America. This last one was one of the first to be lost.

The breakaway movement of the thirteen colonies was the most painful events in George’s long reign. He could not comprehend why his colonists were objecting to some very small taxes. After all, the colonies were there for income, at least in his view. His council and most of Parliament had agreed.

It was the way he went about it that caused him all the grief. In the 1770s, the American colonies were by history and nature a 200 year old culture unto themselves – loyal to the king but not subservient to his will! Had the Crown followed the same line as they had with Canada, all might have been well!