US History

U.S. History Study Guide

5.23 Common Sense On January 1776, Thomas Paine’s pamphlet, Common Sense , was published and widely distributed. Paine called for economic and political independence, and proposed that America become a new kind of nation founded on the principles of liberty. Paine lists all the reason the colonies should rebel and the wrongs the British had done. Paine wrote about taxation without representation and how only a continental government could rightly rule over the colonies. In other words, that England could not fulfill the best interests of the colonies when she is across the Atlantic Ocean. Paine even resorted to attacking the British monarchy and addressing the flaws of this form of government, which was a very serious crime in a time with no freedom of the press. This essay ultimately saved the Revolution before it truly began by enlisting more colonies to aid Massachusetts, at that time the only colony in rebellion. Summary of Events that led to the Revolution The causes of the American Revolution can be seen at the French and Indian War, when the British began to tighten their imperial reins. When the British started to enforce the Navigation Acts without salutary neglect and created the Proclamation Line of 1763, not allowing the colonies to expand westward. The Writs of Assistance enforced during the French and Indian War would be the first of the many restrictions and tactics that would create a chain reaction of other taxes and restrictions to pay war debt. Attempts to raise money were made through the Sugar Act, the Stamp Act, and the Townshend Acts, rather than allowing the colonies to bring the tax before their colonial assemblies. Although there were obvious and visible causes there were underlying causes that made these colonists rebel and push for independence. The British always viewed colonists as second class British citizens. Men such as Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, John Adams, and other wealthy colonists would not be viewed as equals because of their family pedigree despite their accomplishments. Although they were British colonies they had been self-governing since their existence. Each colony had assemblies and local governments that self-regulated and handled colonial affairs. Their distance from England was another unseen cause. The colonies felt the English had no business getting involved in colonial affairs; they should have every right to self-tax since they are making the British Empire very wealthy and have no representation in the Parliament. The colonists started questioning why they really need England. Influenced by the Enlightenment and Great Awakening these men believed they could create a new colonial government uniting the thirteen colonies into a confederation. Since they saw similar smaller scale systems like the New England Confederation and attempts with the Albany Plan, they knew it was possible. Incidents like the boycotting and tactics like tar and feathering made these acts and taxes go away. Colonists were openly challenging the British and getting away with it. Incidents like the Boston Massacre and Boston Tea Party sparked emotion from both sides. The Sons of Liberty led by Samuel Adams and Paul Revere would convince moderately dissatisfied colonists to join the cause. Tensions increased further after Parliament passed the Intolerable Acts which included the Coercive

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