The British began colonizing in the New World around 1607. when Jamestown was founded. The colonies were essential to the growth of the British economy and global power, and through the use of mercantilism and the Triangle Trade. Around the mid-1700’s, colonists realized how poorly Britain was treating them, so ideas of unification began to form and circulate. Although the Americans identified as British citizens at the beginning of their lives in the New World, many events leading up to the American Revolution helped create a sense of unity and American identity within the colonies. Despite the fact that many Americans supported the unification of the colonies, many opposed unification and wanted to remain under the rule of England. Some
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Edmund Burke, a Whig, stated that America should not be governed the same as England because there is no “Trait of Resemblance” between the two (Doc. B). This shows that Americans had their own identity, and that they were ready to unify and did not want to remain under British rule any longer. Burke’s speech was written for Parliament, which brings the American’s desire for unity to British government officers and proves how serious the Americans were about unification. After Burke’s influential speech to Parliament, Henry St. John Crèvecœur wrote Letters from an American Farmer, which highlights American issues (Doc. H). Crèvecœur emphasizes the fact that American identity and British identity have no correlation with each other, and he states that when someone identifies as an American, they leave all of their British characteristics and prejudices behind. These fictional letters were published in a newspaper, which makes the audience a large amount of people which varying viewpoints. The large audience allows Crèvecœur’s message to sway at least a few people’s opinions and gain support for the Revolution. After the Boston Tea Party and the Intolerable Acts, unity is evident within the colonies because they work together to aid those who were impacted by events in Boston (Doc. G). The colonies donated many goods, like food and money, for the “Relief of Boston,” which depicts unity and supports the
Edmund Burke, a Whig, stated that America should not be governed the same as England because there is no “Trait of Resemblance” between the two (Doc. B). This shows that Americans had their own identity, and that they were ready to unify and did not want to remain under British rule any longer. Burke’s speech was written for Parliament, which brings the American’s desire for unity to British government officers and proves how serious the Americans were about unification. After Burke’s influential speech to Parliament, Henry St. John Crèvecœur wrote Letters from an American Farmer, which highlights American issues (Doc. H). Crèvecœur emphasizes the fact that American identity and British identity have no correlation with each other, and he states that when someone identifies as an American, they leave all of their British characteristics and prejudices behind. These fictional letters were published in a newspaper, which makes the audience a large amount of people which varying viewpoints. The large audience allows Crèvecœur’s message to sway at least a few people’s opinions and gain support for the Revolution. After the Boston Tea Party and the Intolerable Acts, unity is evident within the colonies because they work together to aid those who were impacted by events in Boston (Doc. G). The colonies donated many goods, like food and money, for the “Relief of Boston,” which depicts unity and supports the