American Revolution Essay Review
Why were they glad to be in the British Empire?
Because under the rule of King George III, Americans were the freest, most prosperous, and least taxed people on earth. They saw the British government as the real government of the empire, which would protect them from harm and protect their money as well.
During the decade before the outbreak of war, what were the two major attitudes of the colonists toward Parliament and the British Empire?
First The peaceful attitude: The majority of colonists believed a compromise would occur. Even after Lexington and Concord, most colonists simply saw themselves as defending their rights as citizens of the British Empire. They believed in a peaceful settlement. 2. The fight back attitude: Others believed that if the Crown could tax them without representation, then other rights might be taken away from them. They felt that, sooner or later, all free colonists would be reduced to slaves, particularly after the passage of the Intolerable Acts, and they felt the need to fight back.
What could have prevented the colonists declaring independence and going to war?
If Parliament had accepted the colonial idea of representation in government, colonists may have been satisfied, and the Revolutionary War might never have occurred. BUT If the war never happened, the Revolution may not have happened either.
Why would George Washington feel the need to join the "other side" against the British?
Since Washington was a land holder as well as wealthy, it was important to him that he seek ways to protect himself and his things. OR Also since Washington was ambitious, he may have thought joining the colonial side would give him the recognition and social status he thought he deserved.
Why did a minority of colonists continue to move toward independence and volunteer to fight for this cause?
Some felt that the idea of sovereignty, or self-rule, was more important than anything else and decided to fight for it. They believed in King and country over revolution and democracy. They had loyalty to the Crown above all else.
Is it possible to separate the American revolution from the American Revolutionary war? The revolution was a new way of thinking about government where power lay in the hands of the people. The war was American's fight for independence. Why or why not? How do the views of Thomas Paine in Common Sense help to separate the idea of the war from the overall revolution?
The Revolution came after the war began. The ideas that Jefferson included in the Declaration of Independence actually came after the start of the Revolutionary War by more than a year. Also, most Americans just wanted to maintain the rights of British citizens, which led to the war, but the idea of the Revolution was something entirely different.
Describe how colonists who were the leaders of the colonial opposition to parliament's authority might have seen themselves and what they believed.
They didn't see themselves as "founding fathers" or revolutionaries. They were just defending their rights as citizens of the British Empire. They saw themselves as "reluctant revolutionaries", because they wanted to just protect their rights of property and protect their wealth. They were also reluctant to set up a large scale democracy or a republic. They believed that democracy was the same as anarchy and mob rule.
