"Declaring “Revolution”" Topic

"Americans have long debated the causes and consequences, as well as the meanings and significance, of our break with Britain in 1776. But they have pretty much agreed on what to call that signal moment in the shaping of our nation. It was the American Revolution, secured by victory in the War of Independence. What else is there to say?

As it turns out, it took time for the fight against British taxes and tyranny to claim the character of a revolution. In the long run-up to armed conflict, from Boston to Savannah, the protesters called themselves Sons of Liberty (or Liberty-men); their aim was to block Britain from taxing the colonists without their consent. The New York City Sons denied any desire for a "change of Government"; their goal was simply a "preservation of the [British] Constitution." When King and Parliament revoked the Massachusetts charter in 1774 and curtailed the role of white, male property-holders in self-government, their arbitrary actions provoked the uprising. Far from seeking independence, the patriots took up arms to restore the previous status quo. George III may have condemned them as rebels. But even after fighting broke out at Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775, colonists still issued writs for town meetings in "his Majesties name," and the Continental Congress, professing themselves "faithful subjects," sought reconciliation with Britain in an elaborate display of "the utmost deference" known as the Olive Branch Petition. No matter what the King said in his August 23, 1775, proclamation condemning "dangerous and ill-designing Men" for deluding "loyal Subjects" into "disorderly Acts" and "traitorous Conspiracies," this was not yet an "open and avowed Rebellion."…"

link

Armand