Colonial Identity

The extent of a sense of unity and identity within the colonies of America was vast, for it not only was brought from within, but was also influenced from an exterior force. Prior to the time period, Britain alienated the colonies, not paying that as much attention to the people as they should’ve, thus causing a power vacuum of authority in America. This vacuum lead to the colonials working more independently and self governing. This continued up until the French and Indian War. In 1754, The Seven Year’s war brought Britain back into the western world as the French berated the frontier. At the time, the colonies did not care for one another, and unless something changed, they would all perish. Knowing this impending doom of an invasion, Benjamin Franklin came up with an illustration showing a snake divided into 7 parts; this idea was to portray that, …show more content…
this significant quote gives a background of what has occurred within the far west- struggle to keep domination over America as colonists resent their authoritative figures. Edmund Burke shows that it is the fate of America, to create a constitution that “images the British constitution” for it is not that the government style does not work, but rather the distance and misrepresentation. Burke is not the only one who sees this, as Richard Lee once described how the colonies “will defend their liberties [to infinity]” ( C ). The idea that at this point, many would rather die than be some generic British colony such as Canada or India, is strongly evidenced not only within the last two articles, but within the Declaration for the Causes of Taking up Arms by the Continental Congress. On July 6, 1775, a congress of representatives stated that “we will [...] employ for the preservation of our liberties; being with one mind resolved to die freemen”