Were The Colonists Justified In Declaring Independence Essay

874 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: French and Indian wars in America

Analyzing a Revolution: Were the Colonists Justified in Declaring Independence?

I agree that the colonists were justified for declaring their independence from England. This was audacious decision on the Americans end. There were many things that lead up to the colonists anger that preceded to make more and more colonists want freedom for England. One of the legitimate reasons for these oncoming concepts started during the French and Indian war. The British colonists fought in the French and Indian war for seven years. After the victory of England the American colonists believed they should have the right to expand westward since the Indians aided the French during the war. In order to keep the peace with the Indians the English refused …show more content…

Unruly patriots taunted British soldiers, and the soldiers shot and killed a couple of colonists. Outraged by the deaths of the colonists more people started to join the cause for independence. At that point many of the important advocates for independence were at their peak. When parliament enacted the tea act that compelled the colonists to only buy British tea the Sons and Daughters of liberty took their first official action. Throwing tea into the Boston Harbor was their first initial set towards independence. Once you think the English were going to give up they enforced the intolerable acts which initially took away many of the colonists freedoms. This is when the sons of Liberty started thinking about a document to declare their independence. They initially knew that American motivation was already “animated”. An example of one of the motivational quotes were “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”-Declaration of Independence. People liked the thought of those things in a new government which the England have been taking away from them. Another right that was unfairly coordinated was the right to a fair trial. Colonists speculated and realized that they needed American lawyers, judges, and juries. It was an unfair trial because the …show more content…

They wanted a democratic republic run by the people not by the government. “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”-Amendment I Bill of Rights. They wanted a free land, somewhere where we can all be free and not oppressed citizens. Even if the government wasn’t perfected, this gave future generations a way to make a better life and nation. “Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!” ― Patrick Henry. I believe they were right to have broken their chains of the English empire, and fought fiercely for a better imminent

Show More
Related

  • Were the American Colonists Justified in Waging War and Breaking Wway from Britain?

    942 Words  | 2 Pages

    The colonists were in every right, aspect and mind, not only justified but also it was about time that they stood of and actually take action against the British. The choice of going to war with them, was the only choice that they had. All diplimatical options that they had ceased to stand a chance against the tyrant Britain. From the very beginning when the colonists felt upset against their mother country and the way that they went about the law making, up until the beginning of the war, they tried all diplimatical options that they had, by sending letters, you name it. When they didn’t work then they had no other means but to declare war.

    Read More

  • Justification of the Colonists' Declaration of Independence from England

    328 Words  | 1 Pages

    Justification of the Colonists' Declaration of Independence from England Were the colonist justified in declaring independence from England? I feel that they had plenty of just cause to separate themselves. England was taxing the colonies without fair representation in Parliament, the British also took away the right to assemble, and they were using different tactics to attempt to intimidate the colonists. One of the greatest thing that angered the colonists was the taxation without representation. The British government had good reason to tax the colonies, because they just went to war to defend them.

    Read More

  • Were The American Colonists Justified Dbq

    741 Words  | 2 Pages

    The colonists were correct to split from Britain and conduct war because the British were unjust to the colonists. For instance, In Paul Revere’s engraving “The Bloody Massacre” shows the British shooting the colonists and being ordered to while the colonists are unarmed and undefended ( Doc C ). This was an unjust treatment to the colonists because revolting against the British in such a small manner is no reason to kill/hurt them in any sort of manner. The colonists were unarmed making them

    Read More

  • Examples Of Parallelism In The Declaration Of Independence

    395 Words  | 1 Pages

    The passion for freedom was a unextinguishable flame. The fury fueled by the injustices of Great Britain induced the desire to break away from the mother country and develop a new independent government. This idea started to materialize when Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and Benjamin Franklin wrote and adopted the Declaration of Independence, which stated the colonies' intention to create their own government. Thomas Jefferson and the other authors carefully manipulates their language by using parallelism and diction in order to persuade the reader to fight for personal rights and justice.

    Read More

  • The Colonial Incentives for Independence

    818 Words  | 2 Pages

    July 4th of 1776 is arguably the most significant day in American history. On this day, the thirteen British colonies won their independence from Great Britain, their mother country at the time. The war that allowed the colonies to gain their independence was, of course, the American Revolution. One reason the colonists’ declaration of independence was understandable was because after an extended period of salutary neglect, the British started imposing laws on the colonies. Another reason was that the British violated colonists’ rights by implementing the Proclamation of 1763. A third and final reason the colonies were correct in breaking away from Great Britain was that although the colonists were not represented in British Parliament, Great Britain still taxed them. The thirteen British colonies were absolutely justified in seceding from Great Britain because the British started to enforce laws after a long period of salutary neglect, they violated the colonists’ rights by passing the Proclamation of 1763, and the colonies were required to pay taxes even though they were not represented in Parliament.

    Read More

  • The Imperial Crisis Dbq

    1016 Words  | 3 Pages

    These Parliamentary Acts eventually lead to the American Revolution because the colonists were sick of being treated unfairly and they were fed up with being deprived of their rights. The Continental Congress wrote The Declaration of Independent, which was a document that declared the colonists independence from Britain. The colonists resented the Parliament for taxing them internally and directly. The passing of the acts all started out as money issues, but eventually became an issue of having an imperial government.2 If the legislation never happened to the colonists, there may not be a United States today.

    Read More

  • The American Colonists Were Justified In The Revolutionary War

    657 Words  | 2 Pages

    The American Revolution, or otherwise known as the American War of Independence, was taken place between the years of 1775-1783. The war was fought between Great Britain and the 13 British North American colonies. The American Revolution caused a series of traumatic events. The American colonists were justified in waging war because the British seized the rights of the colonists, the American colonists did not have a say in Parliament, the Boston Massacre, and incoherent decisions involving taxes by the British King.

    Read More

  • Declaration Of Independence Rhetorical Analysis

    795 Words  | 2 Pages

    After enduring “a long train of abuses and usurpations” the colonists decided to declare themselves free of British rule (para 2). Jefferson writes that given their “unalienable rights . . . Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness”, “it is the Right of the People . . . to institute new Government”, one that will fairly represent them, to reestablish order (para 2). The Declaration of Independence does not seek to convince or even encourage action; rather, it aims to declare. There are no mistaking Jefferson’s words. The Colonists are tired of the mistreatment and they are effectively severing all “Allegiance to the British Crown, and . . . political connection” (para 23). The audience of The Declaration of Independence, the world, is specifically addressed twice. The first

    Read More

  • Colonial Rebellion

    1044 Words  | 3 Pages

    The colonies did not initially desire to succeed and become independent from the British, at first they were very proud of being British. Throughout the years of being a British Colony, The mother country of Britain committed actions that the colonists could not stand much longer. From taxation without representation to quartering British soldiers unwillingly, the tension built up until the colonists eventually rebelled. Some colonists remained loyal to the crown, while others joined the rebellion. These rebellious forces grew in strength and number, when the rebellion grew too big, the Revolution sparked. No longer would the colonist be forced to the British law, the colonists were willing to fight and die for their freedom. This event was

    Read More

  • Birth of A Nation

    905 Words  | 2 Pages

    When declaring independence, the bulk of the people thought that would be “…to burn the last bridge, to become traders in the eyes of the mother country.” (Garraty 110). John Dickinson had stated, “ ‘Torn from the body to which we are united by religion, liberty, laws, affections, relation, language and commerce, we must bleed at every vein.’ “ (Garraty 110). The people were afraid to break away, they pondered “ ‘Where shall we find another Britain.’ “ (Garraty 110). Eventually independence was inevitable. There was a great mistrust towards both Parliament and George III when the colonists heard that the British were sending hired Hessian soldiers to fight against them in the revolution. The pamphlet written by Thomas Paine entitled Common Sense called boldly for complete independence. This reflected his opinions on George III, calling him a brute, and also attacking the idea of monarchy itself. “Virtually everyone in the colonies must have read Common Sense or heard it explained and discussed.” (Garraty 110). John Adams dismissed it as something he had said time and time again. “The tone of the debate changed sharply as Paine’s slashing attack took effect.” (Garraty 110). A committee was appointed by Congress, consisting of Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and many more. “The committee had asked Jefferson to prepare a draft” that would soon become known as the Declaration of Independence. (Garraty 112). It consisted of two parts: an introduction which justified the abstract right of any people to revolt and described the theory on which the Americans based their creation of a new, republican government, and a second part that made George III, rather than Parliament, look like the ‘bad guy’. “…The king was the personification of the nation against which the nation was rebelling.” (Garraty 112). “The Declaration was intended to influence foreign opinion, but it had little immediate effect outside Great Britain, and there it only made people angry and determined to subdue the rebels.

    Read More

  • The Goals of the Declaration of Independence

    1059 Words  | 3 Pages

    The American Revolution was not only a battle between the British and the colonists; it was a historical movement that brought about new ways of thinking. The ideas of liberty and equality began to be seen as essential to the growth of the new nation. The separation of the American colonies from the British Empire occurred for a number of reasons. These reasons are illustrated in the Declaration of Independence. Although Thomas Jefferson wrote the document, it expressed the desire of the heart of each colonist to be free of British rule. British rule over the colonies became unbearable in the early months of 1776, making it clear to the colonists that it was time to either give in to British power or declare their independence. This idea of independence divided the colonies, but it was not long before a revolutionary committee met in Philadelphia and drew up the document that would change American history.

    Read More

  • We Need To Write Our Own Declaration Of Independence

    482 Words  | 1 Pages

    When in the course of the household we, the teens, have always had the responsibility of doing the chores around the house.When oneself has to do chores one has to miss out on hanging out with friends, going to the mall, et cetera. Of course we do not wish to be disrespectful toward our parents but it is now time that we write our own Declaration of Independence. It is important that our parents or guardians know how everyone feels about the chores that have been placed on us and why we should be independent.

    Read More

  • Colonial America: A Transformation Towards Independence

    1026 Words  | 3 Pages

    During the colonialization of North American it was a time of rebirth for all people. America offered an opportunity for individuals and families to take a chance at a new way of living. Rather it be for religious reasons or just the search of new start, America was the place to do that. The British Empire; however, did not see it as such and many events created the friction which eventually start a revolutionary fire. The colonist wrote down what they had been feeling for years, the need for a change. That change is outlined in today’s most emphasized document: the Declaration of Independence. While the title of this document does it justice for its purpose of declaring independence; I believe there are further detailed reasons for the purpose of the

    Read More

  • The Argument Of The Declaration Of Independence

    888 Words  | 2 Pages

    On July 4th, 1776, America 's most important document in history was announced, "Declaration of Independence". The Declaration of Independence defined America 's prestige, value, and its freedom. It was the document which stated American colonies now did not want to be the part of British property. It is one of the most important days because for the first time in the history of America; it was on its own and stood as a single country. The majority of the Declaration of Independence was written by Thomas Jefferson which was debated by Congress and made many changes in the original document. One of the major changes made by Congress was removing an attack on the institution of slavery.

    Read More

  • Journey To Freedom Dbq

    915 Words  | 2 Pages

    During the years leading up to the American Revolution there was a great amount of tension throughout the colonies. Taxes and Acts were passed through the colonies constantly by the British Government, making life hard for everyday people to make ends meet. King George III of England was a very controlling man of the people in England and across the sea in America. His greed for power and money was obvious in the lands he controlled. British Acts and actions against the colonists including the Stamp Act, the Townshend Acts, and the Boston Massacre inspired a need for freedom in a corrupt government. Although these are just a few British actions against the colonists they are ones that set many over the edge in hopes of freedom. In the hopes of a country of accountability and honesty, the colonists slowly worked toward making America a free land. The most common way of opposing British law was to boycott or resist from buying British goods. Although it was a

    Read More

More about Were The Colonists Justified In Declaring Independence Essay

Open Document