“War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength.” – George Orwell. In the rhythmic rise and fall of nations, people too often lose sight of the means as they seek their ends. One such case is that of the British Empire in 1700’s, as the consequences of immeasurable growth over the past century began to take effect. The unstoppable giant that was Great Britain had become dependent on growth to survive, as demands for evolving infrastructure exponentially outweighed productive capability and available resources. It was for this reason that when growth was challenged by other global powers Great Britain turned to increasing the strain on colonies that already disdained its rule. “The Patriot”, starring Mel Gibson, depicts one such result …show more content…
Tavington for what he had done. He begins this campaign for vengeance by meeting with Colonel Harry Burwell and organizing a military unit with a focus on informal, guerilla-style warfare. These guerilla warfare soldiers were primarily lower class white men and escaped slaves. Benjamin’s unit launches a series of tactical assaults on British supply lines, and makes resounding use of the unorthodox method of targeting British officers during a skirmish; the British regulars are thrown into disarray and begin to lose the remainder of their loyalist support in the South. Following a struggling series of conflicts in South Carolina, in which the British regulars captured Savannah and the American patriots captured Charleston, British General Clinton withdrew – leaving Officer Henry Cornwallis in charge of handling the threat posed by patriot militias. Cornwallis led a march North to quell the reminder of the Patriot opposition, but lacked adequate forces and was quickly halted; Cornwallis retreated back to South Carolina after losing the last of his Loyalist support. Around this time the Patriot Henry Morgan was dispatched to gather support for a counter-attack. Henry Morgan’s officers, such as Major General “Light-Horse” Harry Lee – the equivalent the films Col Harry Burwell, managed to gather the support of many informal militias composed of those wronged by the British regulars under Col Banastre Tarleton (Foner, 2017). Most of those recruited were led by the legendary Francis Marion, the “Swamp Fox”; Benjamin Martin was made in the likeness of this historical character. Marion launched campaigns of guerilla-style and informal warfare, seeking to wear down the British forces in South Carolina and destroy any remaining Loyalist support. Around this time Washington began to consider the idea of blacks participating in his army. At first Washington had denied blacks participation in the
...no loyalty to the Crown now, in future conflicts, the colonists may turn against us and become our enemy. Radical action must be taken in order to regulate their behavior. They must recognize the royal authority.
Benjamin Franklin, one of the Founding Fathers to the United States, was not a patriot but a mere loyalist to England before the dissolution between England and the colonies occurred. Sheila L. Skemp's The Making of a Patriot explores how Benjamin Franklin tried to stay loyal to the crown while taking interest in the colonies perception and their own representation in Parliament. While Ms. Skemp alludes to Franklin's loyalty, her main illustration is how the attack by Alexander Wedderburn during the Privy Council led to Franklin's disillusionment with the British crown and the greater interest in making the Thirteen Colonies their own nation. Her analysis of Franklin's history in Parliament and what occurred on the night that the council convened proves the change behind Franklin's beliefs and what lead to his involvement in the Declaration of Independence and the American Revolution.
The British colonies in the 17th century were afflicted by many strenuous periods of tension that boiled over resulting in violent rebellions. Bacon’s Rebellion and the Stono rebellion are two such rebellions that rocked the colonies. These conflicts rose from tension between the governance of the colonies and those who they ruled over. The Stono Rebellion and Bacon’s Rebellion were both examples of the American people’s willful determination, unifying capability, and ability to fight back.
The British Empire has had a long lasting and strong influence on the American colonies for over three centuries. From the 16th century all the way to the 18th century, the British empire has held power within the colonies in terms of legislature, economy, and social stature. The British’s rule has been both a positive and negative driving force
Imperialism began with Western European countries looking to expand their reach of influence on the East. These countries would conquer and colonize any region not of the West in hopes of bettering their economy or to help the native people they found in the East, carry up the “The White Man’s Burden.” When meeting the native people, Westerners named the things from the East “Orient,” and along with this name came many stereotypes and assumptions of the people and the land. Although, imperialism is no longer present, effects such as orientalism still resonates within the culture being expressed through media such as the Academy Award winning movie of the year Argo.
The Revolutionary War was one of America’s earliest battles and one of many. Although, many came to America to gain independence from Great Britain many still had loyalty for the King and their laws. Others believed that America needs to be separated from Great Britain and control their own fate and government. I will analyze the arguments of Thomas Paine and James Chalmers. Should America be sustained by Great Britain or find their own passage?
Patrick Henry’s statements resonates with the colonists because it adequately captures their grievances and feelings against the British, who have made their lives exceedingly difficult. Unlike many Demagogues who use their words to gain personal power or control, Patrick Henry uses his words to rally the colonists towards a good common cause that ultimately leads to the creation of the strongest nation in the world. The power, conviction and language of Henry’s speech lead to a revolution that would go n to change the course of
Entering the American Revolutionary War, the colonists possessed a keen desire and aspiration to have and keep their freedom. With determination, the chaotic army of America strived toward victory. The British had the powers of money, numbers, and experience, but sometimes the seemingly potent advantages have little effect on the determination of free will.
In the world’s lens during the 1760s, the British empire had a clear and prominent control over the colonies. However, by the mid-1770s the Americans became enraged enough to declare war against the British for independence. Due to Britain’s massive imperial presence around the globe, the British civilians had a strong inclination for a successful outcome. Instead, the colonists pulled a surprising victory from what should have been a swift defeat. While the British had an abundance of advantages, they lost the Revolutionary War because the British army underestimated the colonists’ perseverance for freedom.
“Give me liberty or give me death!” This statement from Patrick Henry’s “Speech to the Virginia Convention,” delivered to the House of Burgesses, has been quoted by many, becoming almost cliché. However, the declaration is truly understood by a select few. The unjust Stamp Act passed by the British crown in 1765, brought fame and notoriety to Henry as he spoke out against the unjust taxation without representation. Ten years later on the eve of revolution, Henry calls upon the Colonial government of which he is part, to act for the betterment of the people. Patrick Henry attempts to persuade the House of Burgesses to revolt and declare war against Britain by logically convincing them that it is their natural right to be free and calling on their patriotism and pride as leaders of colonial America.
The British deserve the taxes we pay for their protection in the French and Indian War, and the rejection of the Stamp Act, the Townshend Acts, and the Tea Act is unjustified. Also, the Boston Tea Party was a poor and illegal way to protest, and should not be viewed as a positive event in the patriot’s fight for freedom. Finally, the information that is causing a patriot uprising in the Colonies is highly biased, and not based completely off of truth. While the patriots may believe that independence is the Colonies’ best option, based on the reasons given, loyalty will ensure economic success with Britain at the helm, grant us protection from the largest army in the world, and keep peace, to avoid fighting a completely one sided war. The question the Colonies must ask themselves: if one puts the brash and impulsive thinking aside and examines the true facts, is a war really worth the time, money, and
The start of the American Revolution, described by Edmund Morgan as, “the shot heard around the world,” was the “Americans’ search for principles” (Bender 63). Although the world’s colonies did not necessarily seek independence much like the Americans, the world’s colonies were nonetheless tired of the “administrative tyranny” being carried out by their colonizers (Bender 75). The American Revolution set a new standard in the colonies, proclaiming that the “rights of Englishmen” should and must be the “rights of man,” which established a new set foundation for the universal rights of man (Bender 63). This revolution spread new ideas of democracy for the colonized world, reshaping people’s expectations on how they should be governed. Bender emphasizes America as challenging “the old, imperial social forms and cultural values” and embracing modern individualism” (Bender 74). Bender shapes the American Revolution as a turning point for national governments. The American Revolution commenced a new trend of pushing out the old and introducing new self-reliant systems of government for the former
A new era was dawning on the American colonies and its mother country Britain, an era of revolution. The American colonists were subjected to many cruel acts of the British Parliament in order to benefit England itself. These British policies were forcing the Americans to rebellious feelings as their rights were constantly being violated by the British Crown. The colonies wanted to have an independent government and economy so they could create their own laws and stipulations. The British imperial policies affected the colonies economic, political, and geographic situation which intensified colonists’ resistance to British rule and intensified commitment to their republican values.
As an American observes the life around him, noting the many advancements made in merely the last century, he must wonder how America climbed to such a level. The 21st century technology, the military and political power, education and ethics, all came from such meager beginnings, solidified by the Revolutionary War. The Revolutionary War proved to be a significant turning point in the history of our country, but what caused America to win? What were some of the most significant factors in the victory of these American patriots? By examining these three particular factors, America’s military assets, it’s aid from other countries, and its own spirit of independence, one’s understanding of the Revolutionary War, an essential root of this nation, is truly increased.
Thomas Paine’s writings reminded the colonists of ideas, like that it was “better [to] have too much force than too little, when so great an object [was] at stake” (p.118). In regards to Britain’s intentions, Paine wrote, “the cunning of the fox is as murderous as the violence of the wolf; and we ought to guard equally against both” (p. 119). Because he was in favor of the American Revolution, Thomas Paine’s writings painted Britain as an insidious force working against them, which convinced many colonists of the need for a revolution against Britain and reminded the soldiers to keep fighting their hardest. Emotional statements about the damage Britain was inflicting were used alongside loaded words such as “conquest” (p. 119), “tyranny” (p. 117), and “violence” (p. 119) to get Thomas Paine’s ideas on the actions of the British Parliament across in a powerful manner. The document’s influence on troops and colonists may have provided the extra bit of motivation that it took to win the American Revolution.