During the mid-1700’s after “Seven Years War”, the British became submerged under a massive debt from fighting in one of the empire’s most expensive war. To absorb the impact of the war debt, Prime Minister of England George Grenville, shifted part of the war debt to Britain’s colonies. Throughout the mid-1700’s Britain imposed intolerable acts upon the colonies such as the sugar act, stamp act, tea act, coercive acts, so on and so forth. Though the colonies trying to fight for representation so taxes can be passed with a majority’s approval instead of members of parliament making colonists decisions, never declared a full on war with the mother country or even wanted to separate in the first place. In fact the colonies tried to even inaugurate …show more content…
In fact, almost a year after Lexington and Concord on July 4th, 1776 the Continental Congress signed the Declaration of Independence. One of the most important documents in American history states, “That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, Free and Independent States; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British crown” (“DOI” doc. B). Too deep for the cause of independence, the Continental Congress rejected Parliament’s offer to resolve of all acts or taxes imposed on the colonies since 1763 and even grant representation for colonists as long as the ideology of the colonies being independent from Britain was no more. The British had offered everything the United Colonies asked for after the empires pitiful loss at Saratoga, though Lexington and Concord gave colonists an answer for a future with the mother …show more content…
The General assembly of NY even stated “The General assembly of this colony have no desire to derogate from the power of the Parliament of Great-Britain” (NY petition to HOC doc. C). Though colonists pushed up against the wall after an unlawful action from the British had no other choice but to raise an army to fight the British. The Continental Congress acted upon raising an army stating “That an armed force be raised sufficient to defeat such hostile designs, and preserve and defend the lives, liberties, and immunities of the Colonists: for the due” (Continental Congress doc. U). The Continental congress realized that after Lexington and Concord that options of resolve could not occur, though war for the fight of representation became the only foreseeable route towards success. Revolt represents the root word of revolution, which influences in some cases rioting or fighting in which fighting began at Lexington and Concord. The fight for colonists rights became declared as Congress stated “In our own native land, in defense of the freedom that is our birthright, and which we ever enjoyed till the late violation of it for the protection of our property, acquired solely by the honest industry of our fore-fathers and ourselves, against violence actually offered, we have taken up arms” (Continental Congress doc.
Personal Declaration of Independence It seems that the time of cutting specific things out of my life has come around, certain reasons have gave me reason to believe that it is a need not a want, and this is not a plea but a declaration. I want to cut off all friends that destroy dreams by smoking, drinking, and making bad choices in general. There is no benefit or good reason to keep them around if they’re just going to hold me back. In that case I’d also like to declare that I will be leaving my neighborhood.
Liberty, but at what cost? On March twentieth, one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five, the Second Virginia Convention met inland in Richmond, Virginia in what today is called Saint John’s Church, as opposed to the Capitol in Williamsburg, in order to avoid interference from Lieutenant-Governor Dunmore and his force of Royal Marines, to bring up ways to resolve the differences between the colonies and the crown of England or to talk about possible independence from Great Britain and it’s king, King George. There, a delegate of the convention, Patrick Henry, proposed the idea to raise a militia and put Virginia on the defensive against the British, but his adversaries urged him and others to be cautious and wait until King George III replied to the Continental Congress’ most recent petition for reconciliation with Great
Thus, proving that, despite there being issues between Great Britain and the American colonies, the colonists still hoped to salvage their relationship with the mother country. More resentment of George III started to grow in the colonies. Despite the increasing development of American opinion concerning independence the Second Continental Congress sent out multiple addresses and petitions to settle the differences with Great Britain. After George III’s rejection of the Second Continental Congress’s Olive Branch Petition and a petition from the City of London that asked him to bring honorable peace before turning the British arms against the colonists, there was a general sense that it was time for Independence. The colonists were very insistent that it was King George III, who abandoned and forfeited his authority over them, leaving them no choice but to declare completer
After Lexington and Concord, the Second Continental Congress didn’t pursue independence, but they did select George Washington as the military commander. From April 1775 to July 1776, many colonists were confused for their feelings of independence; some colonists wanted to mend differences, while others wanted to fight Britain. The British fought back hard and strong by burning down towns and attacking the colonists. Thomas Paine’s book, Common Sense, argued that the colonists out grew the need for any English rule and they should be given independence. Finally, Thomas Jefferson was appointed to create a draft of the Declaration of Independence, and it was approved by Congress on July 4, 1776.
Were the Colonists Justified in Declaring Their Independence from England ? Justification was deserved much more than rejection. As you may know, the British was in full charge of the colonists before their independance. The American Revolution was an action which was definitely well thought out and took lots of dedication and bravery. The colonists were being treated poorly nor did they feel staying in their horrible conditions was a good option.
Over the course of American history, society has dealt with many flaws, and dilemmas. In Source B, it illustrates that Abigail Adams, John’s wife, wanted the Continental Congress to remember the ladies when they write The Declaration of Independence. In Source C, it rationalizes how slaves didn’t have equal rights as white men, and the petition is trying to give their natural rights back. Furthermore, in Source D, a miniseries that depicted John Adams life, given particular the Revolutionary War. This source allows the viewer to visualize the conflicts that the Continental Congress had, with the colonists, and the British.
According in the independence of declaration Thomas Jefferson states“And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of the divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.” The start of the war began in 1764 by control over the colonies also the Sugar Act and Currency Act were passed. 1765 Great Britain passed the Quartering Act, this act forced colonist to house and feed British soldiers. Shortly after that they created the Stamp Act, the act made colonist to purchase stamps on many different household items like newspaper or birth certificates. All these Acts added up to the Townshend Acts in 1767.
During the years 1763 to 1783, the newly established American colonies found themselves in a situation where disagreements were becoming more common. This took place right after the French and Indian War and the nation had a prodigious amount of debt to pay. In addition, Great Britain started to place countless taxes and restrictions on the American colonists to help raise money to support the economy. This unfair treatment really angered some colonists which led to a disruption of order and rebellion in certain colonies. In order to suppress this chaos, the Continental Congress met and created the Declaration of Independence.
Outright rebellion and war against the mother country was unthinkable at the time, although the Battle of Lexington and Concord were merely a few months, a war of words was reality. One New York Loyalist in particular, known as ‘the Farmer’ in his sympathetic writings, favored royal British authority in the American colonies and denounced all actions of a colonial American congress (Ronemus). It was with his response to ‘the Farmer’ that Hamilton became first involved with the radical politics of New York and used the name ‘Friend to America.’ In his reply, Hamilton defends the American congress, writing in reference to members of parliament on December 15, 1774, “That they are enemies to the rights of mankind is manifest, because they wish to see one part of their species enslaved by another. That they have an invincible aversion to common sense is apparent in many respects: They endeavor to persuade us, that the absolute sovereignty of parliament does not imply our absolute slavery (Hamilton).”
Nicole Smith 3/15/17 Mrs. Finder U.S. History DBQ Thematic Essay Despite what the Declaration of Independence says groups of people have been subjected to inequality and discrimination. Two of the major groups that faced a lot of problems were the African Americans and industrial workers. Through individuals, organizations, and government the groups have gained more equal rights.
According to “Charters of freedom - A proclamation by the king for suppressing rebellion and sedition, august 23, 1775,” (n.d.), in the spring of year 1775, peaceful demonstrations gave way to violent ones. After outright rejecting the olive branch petition, a decree was issued by the king in response the ensuing violent protests and armed battles in Lexington and Concord (“Charters of freedom - A proclamation by the king for suppressing rebellion and sedition, august 23, 1775,” n.d.). The king declares that the colonies have rebelled against his authority, the decree warns that those responsible for rebellion will face harsh punishment, the same retribution shall be inflicted on any British agent who had failed to communicate any knowledge
We may be used to all the freedoms and opportunities we have in the United States today, but that was not always the case. It wasn’t until 1776 until America had finally earned its independence from the British. With colonist gaining frustration and anger from their treatment from Great Britain, they eventually seeked their own independence to govern themselves. This was exceedingly important because it was the first time in history a group was able to break off the powerful British Empire and showed that they weren’t unstoppable.
Ronnie Eppinette Dr. Kevin McGlone U.S. History 1301 Thursday 27, 2017 Common Sense Term Paper To give some background information on what is going on in the late seventeen hundreds, colonies are in a revolt against England for 9 months after being denied what they believed were their rights as Englishmen. For the colonies they were in a constant debate of whether or not they should declare full independence from Britain or to seek improved representation with the political system. Over the years with the continuous taxing from England the colonies were fed up and decided to act. As George Washington appointed General of the Continental Army, the very first continental congress met in the summer of 1775 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
In 1776, Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence, which was officially adopted and proclaimed by Congress on July 4. This marked America 's independence from Britain 's tyranny, hence, the famous event of the Fourth of July that is practiced in the United States today. The American Revolution was a bloody, political war that resulted in the colonists’ freedom against Britain 's rein, however, the war was not for independence but for consolidation. Undeniably, the colonists ' thirst for independence sprouted from their disconnection and dispute with Britain. However, their main objective was to unite the colonies by resolving social inequality and developing a common enemy.
Several factors contributed to British colonies changing their feelings towards a possible reconciliation with the British monarchy. The relationship between the American colonist and British monarchy had not been a stable one. After years of oppression from the British monarchy, the colonist finally realized they were better off without them. Following the end of the French and Indian war, England 's national debt had more than doubled. "Half of the money collected from hard-pressed British taxpayers went just to pay the interest on this massive debt, and no more revenue could be squeezed from them without risking domestic unrest (pg 92)."