[Moonman62]

Eventually, the colonies benefitted from domestic manufacture, having previously been forbidden to manufacture and only supplying raw materials to Britain's industries.

The American IPO had very little earnings, a highly devalued stock, heavily in debt and virtually bankrupt. Many FReepers would have called it a scam. (And the first CEO had to borrow money to pay his own relocation expenses.)

[George W. Bush]

The American IPO had very little earnings, a highly devalued stock, heavily in debt and virtually bankrupt. Many FReepers would have called it a scam. (And the first CEO had to borrow money to pay his own relocation expenses.)

I think that first generation of colonists felt they got screwed, a proud American tradition that carries on to modern times.

Was it worthwhile to us, their descendants? Of course. For them? I think their mileage varied but was largely on the negative side, made worse by continuing harassment from the Brits and French with aid from Indians trying to contain paleface expansionism.