Ron Shah 10/5/10 Mr. Howard Per.

6-7

To begin, England had thirty-two colonies in the New World, but only thirteen of them

would revolt. These are the thirteen American colonies, and their colonists developed a sense of

their identity and unity as Americans by the eve of the Revolution because of the freedoms and

unity, diversity and prosperity, and independence from Mother Country. Revolution is an idea

sparked ages ago, and occurred because people wanted change. The American Revolution’s

main spark was in the 1700’s and caused turmoil in England. The idea had traveled throughout

the country, even though it took awhile, like the 29 days it took for the Declaration of

Independence to travel throughout the colonies.

First of all, an American man had many freedoms and rights throughout the thirteen

colonies, unlike other countries, which helped the feeling of relief by legally expressing feelings

and emotions, without getting arrested. The Zengar case also led to freedoms, especially the

freedom of press in 1734. He had expressed his feelings about the Governor of New York in his

newspaper. He was soon found not guilty, so other papers soon expressed their views. This lead

to “Document A; Pennsylvania Gazette, 1754” making a political cartoon saying come together

or die. Even though it was not serious, it still showed the unity between all the colonies and all

of them can be combined to make a figurative snake, whose every part is important and has its

crucial own role. The unity, which lead to the same ideas, was key for the Revolution since

America needed every colony to come together as one. When a colony or city was in distress,

like Boston, other colonies came to the rescue and gave up their products to help out their fellow

colony. “Document G; Contributors of Donations for the Relief of Boston, 1774 and 1775,

Collections, Massachusetts Historical Society” proved that cities were giving unbelievable

amounts of goods to Boston after occurrences of the Revolution such as the Boston Tea Party.
1,400 bushels of grain from Hartford and 258 sheep from Roxbury is unbelievable amount for

one city to give, and still have enough for its citizens. This showed strong unity and dependence

between each other, and they all needed to stay together. Richard Lee “Document C; Richard

Henry Lee to Arthur Lee, 24 February, 1774” wrote a letter to his family how this determination

would ruin both countries unless something major happened. He also stated the continent was

united and held strongly to their liberties, which again stated the main idea of the Revolution.

In addition, America had a diverse nation, and most of the people prospered. It was

incredible the different races in America, and “Document H; Hector St. John Crévecoeur, Letters

from an American Farmer, composed in the 1770’s, published, 1781” stated that an American

was either a European or descendant of an European, but had blood from ancestors of different

backgrounds which you will find in no other country. Once a man becomes American, he

forgets all other European prejudices, and their labors and posterity will cause great changes in

the world. An American made more money and had a higher standard of living than any other

country, which lead to its prosperity. These diverse land regions supplied unique products which

can be shared throughout the colonies and a vital trading source with other countries. This is one

of the main reason “Document G”, the cities could support Boston without Britain. Also, people

from different backgrounds could obtain a decent job and even reach the top of the social

pyramid without becoming discriminated. Meanwhile, “Document F; The Origin and Progress

of the American Revolution to the year 1778, a history by Peter Oliver of Massachusetts, 1781”

states that Americans were over prosperous and happy, and the Revolution was not a revolution

but an act of deception. That document is terrible since any person would want change if they

are paying hard earned money to a country that is not even their own, but one far away. Also,

how is it possible to over prosper and have too much happiness? This question is stagnant in my
mind since I don’t understand how a person make too much money and be too happy, since there

is always a cause for the money and happiness is key to life.

Last but not least, the American colonies had their independence for a long time, and all

of a sudden, Britain interfered. The Mother Country first put a tax on stamps, called the Stamp

Act, which angered colonists. The colonists disobeyed the law, and if necessary, smuggled.

Some other acts include the Sugar Act, Tea Act, Declaratory Act, etc. Edmund Burke

“Document B; Edmund Burk, “Noted for Speech in Parliament, 3 February 1766”” was angered

by this and told that America could not be governed the same as Parliament because there was an

ocean that separated them. This speech was significant since he talked badly against the

Parliament, which hinted to other acts being repealed little after the Stamp Act was on January

14th, 1766. This idea was supported by Byles “Document D; Mather Byles, Cotton Mather’s

grandson, to Nathaniel Emmons, Arthur Wentworth Hamilton Eaton, the Famous Mather Byles:

The Noted Boston Tory Preacher, Poet and Wit, 1707-1788” who was outraged by the fact that

America was still getting ruled by a country 3,000 miles away. Just like these two, opinions of

this matter increased throughout the country, and Revolution was on American’s mind.

Hence, freedom and unity, diversity and prosperity, and independence from Britain

developed a sense of the colonists’ identity as Americans up to and after the Revolution.

Without personal ideas and freedom to express it, the Revolution would not have taken place and

we would still be under Britain’s control. Out history is made up of brave people willing to take

a stand for what is right and fair, unlike the Acts Parliament put on us. This was the dawn of the

Revolution!