It is stated that the American Revolutionary War began in 1775 as a result of the Boston massacre or a result of the Boston Tea party. The American Revolution had begun long before. …show more content…
The Revolution was in the hearts and minds of the people that started since 1916 with the House of Burgesses and the Mayflower Compact of 1920, thus making the American Revolution a process that led the colonies to seek independence from Great Britain. (Learning Objective II)
The process that led to the American Revolution was determined by several factors. In the early years of the colonies’ development and expansion, the colonist had one share political rights of “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness”. (Learning Objective II) The drive came from the land that was available to the colonist and the lack of strict laws from Great Britain. This gave the colonists hope regardless of their economic status. During the Age of Reason, intellectual leaders of the colonies read writings of liberal political philosophers from Europe that had great impact on them. European Philosophers wrote on equality and independence which the colonists took to heart. John Locke, European Philosopher, rejected the theory that kings rule by divine right. Locke’s argument, how could they rule if everyone was born equal? The colonists reflected on the European Philosophers writings and questioned Great Britain government. Self-government was not created by the colonist; it was an outgrowth of "salutary neglect" and an invaluable legacy from England herself. From being established in 1619 in Jamestown with the House Burgesses. The people of the colonies began to experience self-government which contributed to the American Revolution. Colonists invented new principles, which they selected from the wisest writers, and then actualized them and they legalized them by institutionalizing the principles. England did have much control on the laws being implemented in the colonies nor enforcing their own laws. England did not have judicial authority to enforce them nor the man power to do so which again led to Salutary Neglect. Another factor that favors the colonies to be independent from Great Britain was that the colonies were able to be economical independent. The colonist gained economic unity and international powers. The colonist formed a balance in trade with other countries and were able to keep a steady relation with them. The land provided cash crops like tobacco along with gold and silver. The colonies were not in a state of economic crisis; on the contrary, they were relatively prosperous. The colonists were already economically independent from Great Britain but they were just accustomed to Great Britain habits and economic beliefs. These beliefs involved rationalizing and consideration of self-government evolving and the colonies finding economical reliance. The Colonies began to unify, this led to the National Unity and the creation of a common identity in America. The 13 colonies along with the slaves and the French were able to unit to fight again Great Britain and seek independence. American soldiers came from a variety of backgrounds and had numerous reasons for fighting with the American army. (The American Yawp Reader) The American Revolution as an evolutionary process took place, during the tenure of the colonies under England, colonist developed their own identity. Colonists developed their own identity as in political, economic, social and culture. This new identity was a reflection of the new set of values, different from New England, base of “Salutary Neglect”. During the Salutary Neglect several philosophers who had situated themselves as leaders tried to implement their principles to strengthen the country