The American Revolution was a time when society began to realize how much more strength and individualism America could have. It was a time when many were unsure and distraught as to what was going to happen next and who would be in control in the future. America began to see the negative aspects that came along with being ruled by a king. The American Revolution occurred due to many factors including, faith and religion, changes in political views, new ideas different from the norm, and many others. The American Revolution took place due to individuals longing to break away from the British system and because of individuals who remained loyal to the British Parliament. These two separate views are termed as the Patriots and the Loyalists. The Loyalists were those who remained true to Britain and the King. The Patriots were those who went against the odds to prove that America could be a self-governing society. At first glance one would believe the Loyalists to be more compelling, but as you take a deeper look into the American Revolution it becomes evident that the Patriots are more convincing.
As the American Revolution approached many Americans were beginning to notice the tyranny within the British Parliament. Branches of society began to realize how immature Britain, as a country, really was. It became clear that the British had little or no moral standards. The vast majority of British society failed to abide by two commandments. The first commandment not followed was not saying the Lord’s name in vein. The second commandment was the fact that they did not treat Sabbath Sunday as a holy day. Along with lack of dedication to religion, the women of British society were treated with little respect and received harsh abuse from men. The British were using violence as a way to solve problems, which put a bad impression on the rest of the world. Due to these points, it is clear that the American Patriots were much more mature and concerned with the future of the political system.
In 1767 the Townshend Duties were introduced to the Americans. This act proposed a set of external taxes to aid in the basic costs of the colonies. Products taxed were glass, led, tea, paper, and Paint. This act was unfair to America, considering the money only went towards helping the British. In March of 1770 all of the duties, but tea, were repealed. From the book Benjamin and William Franklin, by Sheila L. Skemp, a quote describing Benjamin’s viewpoint towards the Townshend Acts stated, “He insisted that the colonies must keep up their pressure against England, maintaining their boycott of British goods until the Parliament repealed the Townshend Acts” (Skemp, Benjamin and William Franklin, 71). This quote describes the perseverance and dedication found among many Americans. The Americans were still unsatisfied with this outcome and refused to buy tea so that their tax money would not reach Britain. This represented how dedicated the Patriots were to receiving what they rightly deserved.
One of the key factors that caused the American Revolution to occur was religion and religious beliefs. The essay titled The Townshend Acts and the Consolidation of Colonial Resistance, by Pauline Maier, describes how powerful and convincing two important people were at introducing religion and faith to the public. Her essay stressed that America was timid due to the fact that they did not know their future, what allies and support they would have, and how to put together a government. Once America came together, they were able to overcome each of these fears and prove many wrong. Thomas Paine, who came to America in 1774, introduced a pamphlet called Common Sense. This pamphlet described the imperfections of the British system. These two defects were hereditary and monarchy. Paine’s intentions of the pamphlets were to push America to break away from Britain and create their own form of government. The second influential and convincing person was George Whitefield. He was known for doing large religious revivals in front of huge crowds. At each of his ceremonies he would preach the word of God and attempt to convert people. He interpreted Parliament as an evil to America. Whitefield’s religious revivals were so convincing because religion restored faith and therefore lead people to believe in one’s self. This eventually made society yearn for political freedom (Richard D. Brown, Major Problems in the Era of the American Revolution, 1760-1791, 128).
The American Revolution introduced many new ideas to society, both Patriots and Loyalists. The Loyalists, although thought of as superior to the Patriots, were proven wrong. The Patriots fought for what was rightfully theirs and did not back down. Without the strength from Benjamin Franklin and other important figures, America might have never stood up against the British Parliament. A description of Benjamin Franklin’s viewpoint stated, “Virtue in the eighteenth century meant, among other things, patriotism, a willingness to sacrifice private interest for the public good, and the ability to shun luxury in favor of a simple, almost spartan existence (Sheila L. Skemp, Benjamin and William Franklin, 72). This quote represents how important America was to Benjamin and how he was always pushing the American society to accomplish more, one step at a time, before reaching victory.
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